fl327 Posted June 5, 2001 Share Posted June 5, 2001 hey guys, does anyone know of or have panasports chromed???? im a little interested in this, everyone has panas, but nobody ive seen has had them chromed, i used to hate chrome, but i think that they would add to all the chrome trim on the zcar, and would a bling bling to it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QWKDTSN Posted June 5, 2001 Share Posted June 5, 2001 Sure you could do it.. correct me if i'm wrong, but you'd have to have the clearcoat removed (I know for sure that they're clearcoated) and then have them chromed.. I'm wondering what kind of durability you'd get out of the finish. But if you're really interested and have the money for that sort of thing (panasports are several times too rich for my blood right out of the box), give it a shot and show us how it turns out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted June 5, 2001 Share Posted June 5, 2001 Len, I have the phone number to a place in So Cal that does chrome plating and charges a very reasonable fee of about $110/per wheel and that's not including shipping. That's cheap! I checked around a bit for a customer who wanted his factory wheels chromed and that's what I came up with. If that's to rich for your blood just have them polished--that's probably cheaper and will never flake off. Call me if you want the phone number for the chroming place. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKMGK Posted June 5, 2001 Share Posted June 5, 2001 My understanding is that prep for chrome is nearly the same as polishing - it has to be smooth or you'll see dimples etc.. That price sounds like a good one ut I'd wonder abou how well it will weather for that price. Chroming can also embrittle the part but I don't know if that will be an issue. Polishing would be awesome but don't do it unless you're also going to clearcoat otherwise it will be a PITA to keep up with (trust me). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted June 5, 2001 Share Posted June 5, 2001 I really don't recommend chroming--it's easier to take care of (all you do soap up and hose down), but the actual job they do for that price is marginal IMO. A wheel does take a certain amount of abuse, but if I'm buying new wheels, I want them to look perfect. When I had the customer's wheels chromed, they were "ok" but not "perfect" like you would get from a wheel shop that is supplied their chrome wheels from the manufacturer. Polishing looks even better IMO, but I think it has to be similar (or maybe even more) in price due to all the labor involved. Just my opinion. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted June 6, 2001 Share Posted June 6, 2001 Yeah thats what I've heard about chrome as well, the make or break in the job is the coats and buffing below the actual chrome. I know that a partner did some show chrome on a custom harley and it was bank, really really expensive. It looked incredible though, sparkled like a diamond. I have quite a bit of chrome on my bike from the factory, and to be honest, I'm thinking about having it all powder coated black wrinkle (like the Harley Night train awesome bike), its such a PITA to keep clean, it cleans up easy, but polishing it all out to get it looking good is a half day affair, and then the first bit of water or mist and its do it all over again.. argh.. Regards, Lone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKMGK Posted June 6, 2001 Share Posted June 6, 2001 Since we're confessing... On my Mustang I pulled th eupper intake, sanded it smooth, hand sanded it, then polished it until it gleamed! I then did this for brackets and have even done an ATI blower or two for friends. The Z has SOME chrome, mostly the alternator. The rest is brushed aluminum an din fact today I almost polished my cut off switch handle but left it brushed instead. Why? Well, bare aluminum oxidizes just like bare steel. People claim aluminum "doesn't rust" - that's not true. It just does it differently and in some climates (Scottie's) it will goto dust just like iron. As soon as water or any other chemical hits it you're polishing again! I DO polish stainless pieces but let me tell you it's about 5 times harder to bring up than aluminum! IF you choose to polish aluminum look into having it clear coated as soon as it's done as the maintenance on the soft polished aluminum is a real bear. Let some brake dust get into it and you're looking at a BIG polish job all over again (shiver). My Mustang now has a bare minimum of polished parts. The intake is sold, the blower I've got is cast, and only a bracket or two and the throttle body are polished nicely. It's just too much work to keep up IMO and I regretted ever having spent that time laboring over it. Nowadays I polish stainless bolts, chrome, and parts for friends if they ask nice but little for myself It helps that I've got a full size buffer, that first intake was done mostly with a drill and hand work. P.S. I would NEVER try to polish anything as complicated as say a tunnel ram or carb intake. I tried ONCE for a friend - NEVER again. Too much work to do it right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted June 6, 2001 Share Posted June 6, 2001 Yeah, aluminum tarnishes (oxidizes) almost as fast as you buff it, thats what makes it such a PITA to buff, all the black oxidation all over the wheels. Machined billet looks good with a clear coat on it, but I agree. For something easy to clean, make a few highlights with chrome, stainless or billet, powder coat the rest the color of your choice and you'll thank yourself when you want to show it off and everything is'nt smudged and showing every little bit of grease and fingerprints. Of course showcars are different, check out a lowrider show sometimes, you wanna see some chrome? Chrome sub frames and complete suspensions including rear ends. Regards, Lone [ June 05, 2001: Message edited by: lonehdrider ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted June 6, 2001 Share Posted June 6, 2001 $110.00 a wheel IS cheap. The work before chroming alone would be a major PITA, thats a killer price I think (I've seen smaller flat pieces cost almost that). Buffed out with maybe a powder clear coat might like pretty sweet to. Probably run about the same I'd imagine. (maybe not?) Regards, Lone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-Dreamer Posted June 7, 2001 Share Posted June 7, 2001 Polished makes more sense to me. I know a shop in Chico, CA that does nothing but polishing. The owner can polish damn near anything. I saw a set of aluminum rims he did and at first I thought they were chrome He apparently has a good reputation in the show car community and his prices are reasonable about $70 a rim. So if you're interested let me know. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted June 8, 2001 Share Posted June 8, 2001 Mark, I'd be interested, where is Chico anyway? I have a set of chrome rims that are flaking like crazy. Also have a set of fender mirrors I need to get chromed or polished too. Owen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted June 8, 2001 Share Posted June 8, 2001 Mark, isn't Chico north of Sacto? I heard of Chico when I was at UCD, but never went there for a game or anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-Dreamer Posted June 8, 2001 Share Posted June 8, 2001 Yes, Chico is about two hours north of Sacramento. The owner of the polishing shop doesn't do any chroming or polishing of chrome. Thats not to say he can't make aluminum look like chrome My job requires me to go to Chico at least once a week, so I can ask him if anyone is interested. Mark [ June 07, 2001: Message edited by: Z-Dreamer ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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