I was wondering what the wheel looked like if you chiseled the foam adhesive away the holds on the chrome cap. My girlfriends 2010 hhr 2lt has a wheel that has been curbed and the chrome is peeling so I thought I'd try to take the plastic chrome cover off and paint the alloy wheel. I don't want to be left with an ugly wheel though.

 

The chrome hubcaps should be held in place with screw on lug caps, remove those and you're likely left with black 5 star wheels like mine below.

 

My caps are held on with some kind of foam adhesive. I have the wheels off.

 

Yeah they changed them, I think for 2010. from what I saw, I wouldnt try to separate them, its up to you. Getting the adhesive off properly might be more trouble than its worth. Used wheels arent very expensive if bought privately, try a kijiji search for 5x110 wheels.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but I sense some confusion here.

You have a 2LT with Factory Aluminum 17" plastic chrome covered wheels ... Right.
I would't mess with them.

If you try to buy a New OEM replacement (and I don't know if there still available), they will cost you a bundle.
Only chance you have is to buy used in that case and they are hard to find and still usually cost a bunch as well.

I know many discredit the Plastic Chrome Wheel Covers but if you damage one you just replace the cover for about $30 with a New One. No Big Deal.

Basically your trapped with the 17" OEM wheels if you damage one.

Just keep looking around for a good used one is my advise.

SF

 

I'm actually planing on plastidipping them all pink but the chromed plastic makes it hard. I've already had it all peel once. The chrome is hard to stick too plus the edges of the chrome caps are sharp and the dip breaks on the edges. If the wheel underneath looked ok I was going to put the time into stripping the chrome cap off but I'll just dip the back side an hope it helps it stick.

 

Haha, I guess I am way confused. Chrome plastic cap instantly made me think of hubcaps...just like the ones that came on mine and hid the much cooler, (IMO) black steelies beneath.

I guess I haven't seen the wheels your referring to up close, either way...good luck whatever you choose to do.

 

Actually for 2009 & newer you could get the "chrome-clad" plastic covered wheels..These are NOT meant to be removed from the steel rims.

I think they are crap, GM bean counters idea possibly..

 

[QUOTE=Slide_Rite;708852.just like the ones that came on mine and hid the much cooler, (IMO) black steelies beneath.

[/QUOTE]

me too, I don't like the look of the wheel covers.

 

I like the steelies look also, I was fortunate the plastic fantasic hub caps seemed to come off by themselves, actually 2 did on the way home when I purchased the HHR in 2009.