The plastic chrome overlays on my 03 2500 have quit looking like chrome, it gets harder and harder to keep them looking half way decent.

Has anyone removed those darn covers and just repainted the rims after?

Thanks

Ron W.

 

I thought about it on my 06. One of the sections near the lugnuts was raised up a little so I stuck a screwdriver under it to see if I could pry it off. It just bent a little instead of pealing off like I hoped. Honestly I think it would be more worth it to just go get some cheap steel wheels and paint them. NTB and Discout Tire sell them for under $100 each. That's the rout I'm gunna go.

 

Maybe a better way to go, just go new.

But the spendthrift in me (read cheapskate) might hold me back.

Of course I don't want to think about all the bumps, scratches and dings my hand will endure doing a job like that, and the time I will spend on such a project.

Ron W.

 

Another option is if the chrome is not loose why not just paint over that. If done right the paint should hold just as well and save you some time trying to peel the chrome off.

 

The overlay on my 2008 looks to be stainless steel. Are the older ones all plastic? TOM

 

All the older Dodges had the plastic overlay, when new they looked just like chrome, but over time brake dust, sand and salt take their toll.

Ron W.

 

Just as a heads up, I pulled my chrome overlay off and the steel wheel was pitted pretty bad w/ rust. I ended up cleaning it up (along w/ the silicone) w/ an abrasive wheel as much as I could but they still don't look very good. On an older set of wheels I would suggest going another route.

 

You said you pulled the overlay off, how hard was it to get them off.

Ron W.

 

Not too bad. I think I just used a screwdriver, small prybar and a pair of channelocks. Just start at the center and slide the screwdriver under the overlay. Then start tearing away at it after that.

 

my 06 has the alluminum wheels with the chome overlay why did they do some steel and some alluminum

 

You can also find stock steel wheels off of an SL HD cheap. Thats what I did and they look great. The best part, is that you can have them powdercoated in any color you wish! I had mine done in black and they look like factory with the 2nd gen black plastic hubcaps