chrome wheel bead damage
 

i was interested in purchasing a set of chrome rims on craigslist, after speaking to the man it became known that the wheels have some bead damage. seller told me they held air when he removed tires a year ago, but since then have sat in his garage. ive heard stories of tires leaking out and rims becoming unusable due to bead damage...he managed to send me some pictures...

http://i1366.photobucket.com/albums/...ps93f35cbf.jpg
http://i1366.photobucket.com/albums/...psafcb38f0.jpg

my question for njfboa is if i get these rims and mount tires on them with bead seal do you think they will be ok or is the damage too bad?

Thanks in advance,
Jon

Most of the time you can use a surfacing disc or a wire brush to knock the corrosion off. Its hard to tell how bad it is in the first pic.

yeah past experience we would sand the corrosion down and lay some bead sealant down before remounting of the tire.
Key is storing the wheels during the winter.

cool does that usually hold up well or do you need to keep redoing that

Couldn't really say. I have never had any comeback that I have been done before. Over a long period of time maybe?

The problem there too is when it starts getting under the chrome, it just peels it all up eventually. The Chryslers of that generation were notorious for it. Huge chunks of chrome would fall off and people would think their brakes went to hell. I haven't seen it that bad on GM wheels but I've certainly seen what you've got. Just something to keep in mind.

I hit up the bead with a 3m disc on the happy tool and then spray on a little clear coat.

my factory 16" abs wheels are horrendous. Once the chrome starts to go that's it. I'll never own GM chrome wheels again. I only use them for winter but I had to scrape off the entire inside of the wheel on all 4 wheels because the chrome kept bubbling and scraping my brakes. The bead started leaking this year (tire shop had spent time cleaning up the bead years ago) and after attempting with a 3m disc for a few minutes I threw in the towel and just slathered on some tire bead sealer goop and popped the tire back on.

all plated aluminum wheels do that it is not just a gm thing.