Chrome Clad Removal

[RAMbling Bassline]

View attachment 150155 View attachment 150156 View attachment 150157 I've been lurking on this site for a while and now finally posting something. With some holiday time off, I am finally tackling the removal of the cheap Chinese chrome wheel covers on my 2017 Laramie. I haven't seen much posted on the Laramie wheels, so hopefully this will interest a couple of folks.

The first wheel took about 90 minutes to remove the clad (easy with some gentle prying) then the arduous task of cleaning off the adhesive begins. I used a razor blade, goo gone, wire brushes, brillo pads and plastic trim removal tools to eradicate the adhesive.

3 more wheels to go then it's time to paint.

 

[brianw0048]

Looks good!

I wish someone would remove the plastic from the Big Horn style wheel so I would know what's underneath...

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[RAMbling Bassline]

Hey, nice tires!

 

[Hawaii_Built]

Can't wait to see how this comes out! @RAMbling Bassline

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Sub'd . I've seen posts about this on the Express / Bighorn trucks but was wondering what my Laramie wheel would look like. Looking forward to final outcome.

M² Mods.

 

[james.price.58]

How are you painting them? Color? I have a 17 laramie, so following closely!

 

[brianw0048]

Hey, nice tires!

What's left of them...they've got 55k or 60k miles on them and they're down to 3/32.

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[Kapt]

I can't wait to see the final product. I painted the insides of my Chrome Clads and love the look, but they're still plastic

 

[Spindrifter]

Nice. Interested to see how they come out. Going with black?

 

[RAMbling Bassline]

How are you painting them? Color? I have a 17 laramie, so following closely!

I'm going to try a gunmetal gray first and see how I like it. If not, then black

 

[Hawaii_Built]

I think gunmetal or some sort of hyper silver would look nice. Cant wait to see how it turns out!

 

[Triumphx]

If you haven’t finished removing the adhesive yet, 3M makes an adhesive removing wheel that attaches to a drill. It is an amazing product, I used it after debadging multiple vehicles.

 

[UnsatFC]

Looks great with the plastic chrome off!! I second seeing what’s underneath the Big Horn rims..

 

[RAMbling Bassline]

I can't wait to see the final product. I painted the insides of my Chrome Clads and love the look, but they're still plastic

Kapt, that is a major improvement right there!

 

[RAMbling Bassline]

If you haven’t finished removing the adhesive yet, 3M makes an adhesive removing wheel that attaches to a drill. It is an amazing product, I used it after debadging multiple vehicles.

Oh man, wish I had known. Taking down the adhesive was a chore!

 

[RAMbling Bassline]

I've heard it theorized that the chrome clad leaves room for enough crud to collect and throw wheels out of balance. This pic is 't a smoking gun, but certainly evidence that stuff gets up in there. I got her awful muddy hunting recently and was hosing mud out of places I couldn't even imagine, including the wheels.

 

[RAMbling Bassline]

Quick update: I was derailed a bit with family visiting for the holidays, but back at it today. All 4 wheels are de-chromed and adhesive removed. Adhesive removal got easier and more efficient as I progressed, but is definitely the hard part of this project

Underneath the chrome sits a pair of FINISHED aluminum wheels that are shaped and formed exactly as the chrome cover exhibits. Why FCA covers a perfectly good set of finished aluminum wheels with cheap plastic, I will never know. Those hub caps...let's call a spade a spade...are an absolute disgrace for a $48k or more vehicle. If you want an aluminum wheel look, operate very carefully as you remove the adhesive. I recommend plastic scraping tools and abrasives like a mild brillo pad (blue rather than green). It is possible to remove the covers and simply roll with the existing wheels. Since I'm painting mine, I used a razor (which did some damage to the aluminum finish that I will need some filling primer to correct), wire brush and a green pad. Plastic tools like MotivTools interior plastic removal tools are great for getting adhesive off of the ridges along the edge of the rim. Use WD-40 or Goo Gone to soften up the adhesive before you go to town on it. I removed the first wheel I worked on, but did the remaining 3 while still on the truck.

Next step is degrease and clean to prep for paint. I may venture to accomplish this tomorrow and Tuesday, but way more likely this weekend.

 

[RAMbling Bassline]

Buh-bye

 

[brianw0048]

What are your options now for center caps?

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[dirtyd1833]

Damn! The bare wheels look good enough as is, I would be tempted to clear coat and leave it alone.

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