ready to drool? PVD'd GXP's

[2002BonnevilleSE]

Those came out really sweet. I think it'll make your car a real head turner.
For the money makes it worth buying a so so condtion set and having them redo them.
Far less money and from the looks of the finish they would be better.

[keir]

Beautiful difference from the original finish.

[bobtaz13]

I got to see these in person today. WOW they look great, i really want to get mine redone now.

[BonneMe]

I don't suppose you know the before and after weights?

[00Beast]

Jason, I think the LAST thing Andrew cares about is the weight of his wheels....

Although for you it may be important if you want to PVD them. I can't imagine that the whole thing weighs more than a half a pound at the absolute most.

[nos4blood70]

Jason, I think the LAST thing Andrew cares about is the weight of his wheels....

It's just plating right? I think half a pound would be the max if that!

[00Beast]

It's a plating and a clear coating. I think you might be surprised at how much it might weigh, but yeah, it's not more than I said. 8-10 oz per wheel, tops. I doubt even you would feel it Jason.

[repinS]

I think it's a valid question. The GXP wheel/tire combo is a heavy mother *fook* that brings a lot of unsprung weight.

While I doubt the PVD coating would add a whole lot, it would be interesting to know what that number is.

[GXPete]

Wow. Those wheels made my pants a little tight.

So, did the same company repair them that coated them? Mine look similar to your before pictures, maybe not quite as bad but some definite curb hits by previous owner. I assume you just ship them in 4 separate boxes?

[00Beast]

You are correct, American PVD repaired the bad two, then plated them all.

You should see the rims off my dad's car. 2 are really bad, and 2 are just sorta bad. I really think he needs to get them fixed. I definitely couldn't talk him into spending $800 on this, though....

[harofreak00]

I don't suppose you know the before and after weights?

The PVD® process has advanced the automating of chrome plating, while increasing durability. Uniquely, it also uses no hazardous chemicals and creates no hazardous byproducts. Because traditional chrome is metal based, it’s relatively heavy. PVD® claims a 90 percent savings in weight.

I think it's a valid question. The GXP wheel/tire combo is a heavy mother *fook* that brings a lot of unsprung weight.

While I doubt the PVD coating would add a whole lot, it would be interesting to know what that number is.

I didn't get a chance to weigh them before I had the tires mounted, but I can assure you that the PVD didn't add a measurable difference.

Stock GXP wheel = 24lbs
PVD'd wheel with tire = 53lbs

So, did the same company repair them that coated them? Mine look similar to your before pictures, maybe not quite as bad but some definite curb hits by previous owner. I assume you just ship them in 4 separate boxes?

The company I sent them to does do the minor repairs in house, but they sent 2 of them to another local shop for the other repairs. I shipped them in 2 well packaged boxes.

[J Wikoff]

Tirerack will give you tire weights, if you really want to dig into any weight difference.

[1oldman]

I investigated chrome powder coating, PVD "plating" and triple chrome plating. The powder coating requires a clear coating over it. It will still turn "gray". The shop that does powder coating showed me the chrome finish new and after had had a few months on it. The PVD is a type of chrome plating according to wikipedia and two of the companies I talked to on the telephone. I went with triple chrome plating because of the phrase "show quality finish". I used LA Wheel and I am more than pleased. They treated extremely well. $705 for 4 wheels triple chrome plated, $98 shipping. That was $803 for a set of chrome wheels that the closest I could come to locally was $1800. When I get a "round to it",(ha ha ha) I will post pics of the wife's car with the chrome wheels on it. Even the guys at Discount Tire couldn't believe the look. Some of them even watched me as I drove off in it. - BC

[yonkerss]

How are these wheels holding up so far?

1oldman - any shots of the triple chrome plated wheels you had done?

[harofreak00]

They haven't even been installed on the car yet...

[yonkerss]

Wasn't sure if you had or not based it being winter.

[harofreak00]

I plan on running them in winter, its just that the car isn't built yet.