Chrome wheels looking rusty-- Question

[H-Too]

I bought my H2 in a private party sale two months ago.

I brought it in for service today, and the guy at the dealer noticed what I had noticed the day prior. The chrome wheels on my 2003 Lux (with chrome package) have rust spots all over them.

He told me the 2003 H2 didn't come with chrome wheels (the wheels certainly look the like the stock Hummer style). He says the guy who originally bought the car must have sent the wheels out to a 3rd party to be chromed and now the chrome is getting eaten away by the salt of a harsh winter.

I have no way of asking the guy who owned the car before me (long story). Does this sound right? I always assumed that the chrome rims on my H2 had come with the car.

What can I do? Is this fishy?

Thanks guys.

[H-Too]

I bought my H2 in a private party sale two months ago.

I brought it in for service today, and the guy at the dealer noticed what I had noticed the day prior. The chrome wheels on my 2003 Lux (with chrome package) have rust spots all over them.

He told me the 2003 H2 didn't come with chrome wheels (the wheels certainly look the like the stock Hummer style). He says the guy who originally bought the car must have sent the wheels out to a 3rd party to be chromed and now the chrome is getting eaten away by the salt of a harsh winter.

I have no way of asking the guy who owned the car before me (long story). Does this sound right? I always assumed that the chrome rims on my H2 had come with the car.

What can I do? Is this fishy?

Thanks guys.

[partsguy]

Mc2 rechromes They have a low tolerance for
being outdoors Basically no recorse unless
the local dealer wants to get involved and pulls
in a favor with the MC2 rep.

[dochummer]

I've always wondered that. I have chrome wheels on mine. Not to long after I got my h2, i noticed the factory chromes were different. Haven't had problems with rust though. Have you looked into chrome wheels off of ebay or around here? You could always pick up a set of stock rims for cheap too....

[tower]

Yep,

I got my '03 wheels chromed after-market because there were no factory ones offered. I suspect the paths of least resitance include core swapping with a reputable chromer (no waves in the reflection, thank you) or buying factory chromed wheels off ebay cheap.

[Spike]

H TOO,
If you live in an area that uses salt on the roads regularly during the winter you may want to consider having 2 sets of rims and tires. I live in the northeast and I keep the factory rims on my H2 from Nov to March. In the begining of April, I toss the chrome ones on until the end of Oct. I also rotate the rims and tires when they go back on the truck. I do it right in my driveway, I have a trolly jack, compressor and air impact gun. It takes about 20 minutes.

[H-Too]

Thanks for the help guys. I've been washing the vehicle almost every week. Never realized it would be an issue. Now I know.

When I asked the guy at the dealer what I could do he pointed at the 22" inch rims and tires they were selling and said you can buy those for 45-hundred dollars.

That's one option.

[LasVegas]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by H-Too:
I bought my H2 in a private party sale two months ago.

I brought it in for service today, and the guy at the dealer noticed what I had noticed the day prior. The chrome wheels on my 2003 Lux (with chrome package) have rust spots all over them.

He told me the 2003 H2 didn't come with chrome wheels (the wheels certainly look the like the stock Hummer style). He says the guy who originally bought the car must have sent the wheels out to a 3rd party to be chromed and now the chrome is getting eaten away by the salt of a harsh winter.

I have no way of asking the guy who owned the car before me (long story). Does this sound right? I always assumed that the chrome rims on my H2 had come with the car.

What can I do? Is this fishy?

Thanks guys. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Wheels - Chrome Wheel Pitting/Brake Dust Accumulation

File In Section: 03 - Suspension

Bulletin No.: 04-03-10-012

Date: September, 2004

INFORMATION
Subject:
Pitting and Brake Dust on Chrome Wheels

Models:
2003-2005 HUMMER H2

Analysis of Returned Wheels

Chrome wheels returned under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty for pitting concerns have recently been evaluated. This condition is usually most severe in the vent (or window) area of the front wheels. This "pitting" may actually be brake dust that has been allowed to accumulate on the wheel. The longer this accumulation builds up, the more difficult it is to remove.

Cleaning the Wheels

In all cases, the returned wheels could be cleaned to their original condition using GM Vehicle Care Cleaner Wax, P/N 12377966 (in Canada, P/N 10952905). When using this product, you should confine your treatment to the areas of the wheel that show evidence of the brake dust build-up. This product is only for use on chromed steel or chromed aluminum wheels.

<span class="ev_code_RED">You might want to ask that dealer if they didn't offer chrome wheels why is there a TSB on them going back to '03?</span>

[Spike]

originally posted by HTOO,
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">When I asked the guy at the dealer what I could do he pointed at the 22" inch rims and tires they were selling and said you can buy those for 45-hundred dollars.
That's one option. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
There are plenty of other options. I purchased a set of tires (take offs) from my selling dealer for $200.00, I also bought a set of aftermarket chrome rims for just under $900.00 off the internet.

[DRTYFN]

Yes, that's another example of why chrome sucks.
Black powder-coating is the only way to go. Low maintenance and looks much better. See the DEITY up by my name? That means it's not just my opinion- it's the WORD.
Plus, you won't be contributing to global warming by using Windex to shine up those nappy wheels.

[tower]

I bought my '03 late in the model year. Regardless of what service bulletins say, they were never available. That's why I chromed mine. If you post a close-up photo of your wheels, I may be able to tell you if they are factory or not.

[W1N]

Can chrome wheels be powder coated (black, gray etc)? If so, any pictures?

[JohnnyRPM]

Speaking of powder coating....does anyone here know of a powder coater that stocks H2 wheels and will send me a coated set with a core charge againt the return to them of my OE wheels?

All the places around here require I deliver the wheels to them ready to coat and since my H2 is my daily driver I can't afford to put it on jack stands for days while I have the tires removed and wait for them to come back from the coater.

I know I could also buy a set of OE wheels on Ebay and sent them out but I'd rather avoid the hassle of buying them, coating them, and then having to try to sell my OE wheels back on Ebay amidst the sea of them already for sale out there.

I know some chromers stock OE wheels and will send you a set contingent on you sending yours back to them when you've swapped them out. Hadn't seen powdercoaters doing the same.

-John

[DRTYFN]

Check at your dealer and see it they have any extra sets of stock wheels and tires. If so, buy a set, powder-coat them and stack the other set in the garage as a back up.
I've got a set of black PC wheels w/ Iroks on right now, with a set of black PC w/ MTRs, stock wheels & tires and another set of stock tires all stacked in the garage.
I'm kind of a tire pack rat.

[tower]

If your wheels have this pebbled texture in the interstices, chances are very good that they are factory chromed. I have never seen an aftermarket chromer leave this texture on. Chromers like smooth surfaces if they are to guarantee their work. So if they are smoothed in these spaces, they are DEFINITELY NOT factory chrome and the dealer will know this immediately.

Hope this helps.
t~

[partsguy]

In 04 only Victory Red hadGM chrome No 03s
had chrome wheels.If they did They also had the hood prop rod.

[dochummer]

The factory chrome wheels look easier to keep clean...ie finger prints..

[tower]

Better for fingerprints, a little tougher for brake dust. How many people get fingerprints on their their wheels? I get them, along with noseprints, on my windows.

I have never seen that illusive prop rod you mention. Maybe if I got my wheels fondled more often...

[RIC-H0]

What the use of having a hood prop rod. Even with my winch on, the hood doesn't close on me.
I would think the hood prop rod would only get in the way!

Ric-H2