How to Strip Chrome Off Rims
by Cameron Easey
Stripping old chrome off rims is a task that you may wish to undertake if you plan to paint or refinish them. Removing the chrome from the rims will, however, require using a bit of elbow grease. Removing the chrome by hand will minimize any damage to the rims that could be caused by use of a power tool. The amount of time and effort needed to complete this task will depend on the size and condition of the rims.
Step 1
Place a fair amount of the wheel polish on a clean cloth and apply it to the first chrome rim.
Step 2
Sand the rim with the 600-grit sandpaper. Rub the sandpaper over the chrome until it begins to come off. Repeat this process until you have removed most of the chrome.
Step 3
Wipe the chrome and wheel polish residue off the rim with a clean cloth.
Step 4
Apply another coat of the wheel polish to the rim with the cloth that you used earlier. Sand the rim with the 1200-grit sandpaper. Rub the sandpaper over the remaining chrome until it comes off.
Step 5
Wipe the chrome and wheel polish residue off the rim with another clean cloth.
Step 6
Apply a third coat of the wheel polish to the rim with a clean cloth. Rub steel wool over the rim to remove any scratches that are visible from the sanding. Wipe the rim down with a clean cloth.
Step 7
Repeat this process to remove the chrome from the remaining rims.
References
Tips
- The 1200-grit sandpaper will help to reduce the scratches that were left from the 600-grit sandpaper.
Things You'll Need
- Cloths
- Wheel polish
- 600-grit sandpaper
- 1200-grit sandpaper
- Steel wool
Writer Bio
Cameron Easey has over 15 years customer service experience, with eight of those years in the insurance industry. He has earned various designations from organizations like the Insurance Institute of America and LOMA. Easey earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and history from Western Michigan University.
