Haven't had my new XLT Screw a full week yet and already scuffed up a rear wheel on a curb. Had somebody make a left on a red while I was making a right on a green and I had to veer to the outside shoulder of the road to avoid collision. I rubbed the rear wheel against the few feet of curb where the sidewall entered the crosswalk.

These wheels are aluminum but the chrome "cladding" appears to be a sort of over-glorified hubcap? Anyone know if just the plastic "cladding" can be replaced and if so, is it difficult to remove? I'll pull the wheel and take a closer look when I have the chance if nobody knows.

The trend of lower profile tires and wheel faces almost even with the tire sidewall are very unforgiving with curbs...

 

Clad=Plate I believe

 

uhhh ya...???

Not sure what point you may have been trying to make. Yes, traditional chrome is a plating process. The chrome "clad" wheels on the 09 F150 are not chrome plated. They are aluminum wheels with a plastic cover on the entire face of the wheel. Its the plastic cover that gives the chrome appearance.

 

I would think the cladding would be difficult to remove.

Why are all the automotive brands switching to "chrome clad"? Why not chrome? Why put on a plastic cover and call it chrome?

My wifes Durango has chrome clad wheels and I have never accepted the plastic covering.

 

So is the plastic thermal bonded to the wheel? How's it attached? The plastic has a chrome plating right?

 

I did a little Google research but only dug up a little info on some other Ford models using the chrome clad wheels. Apparently the plastic overlay is glued to the wheel and its not a separate serviceable part. A whole new wheel must be purchased.

If so, that sucks for me. I'm sure there are a lot of other curbs in my future. I guess the first scratch is the hardest... lol.

 

If the plastic is exposed you could always use a silver metalic paint pen to fill in the scratch. I did this on my dash bezel on the chevelle

 

Be prepared for sticker shock when you price your replacement wheel at the dealership. I think they tend to run in the 350 to 550 range. If you can live with it, just watch ebay or craigslist for a set of new take offs. (don't be surprised by the number of dealers selling wheel/tire sets or attempting to for too much money, many of these are on week after week.) You'll be able to pick up a set of 4 for less then the price of 1 wheel from the dealer.

Are these the right wheels? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FORD-...Q5fAccessories

 

Yes, I know the whole wheel is very expensive. Hence my inquiry into if replacing just the chrome "cladding" was possible. The ebay auction looks like the correct wheel.

The wheel will have to have a lot more cosmetic damage before I swallow the cost of an entire replacement. This is probably one of many curbs I'll scrub. I drive in a lot of tight urban areas and its unavoidable with a large vehicle sometimes.

Seems my new 09' Screw with the 5' bed also has a significantly larger turning radius than my old 98' F150 extended cab and 6' bed.

Thanks for the tip on the pen sandydiego.

 

Not to dig up a old thread but it's time to upgrade to some 33s/35s. I've got 33.4x11.5s on my truck and hit a TON of curbs, zero rash from curbs on them. Might try going a size bigger then fixing the chrome.

 

Cost. Why else?

 

I bet a wheel with the clad plastic removed might be interesting. Any one have a messed up one they could send to a media blaster?

 

I'll have to scrub a few more curbs... lol

Fortunately so far, the incident that started this thread has been my only curb encounter. I've learned to be more careful and I have the bottom part of my tow mirrors adjusted so I can actually see the rear wheels and avoid most obstacles. However its only a matter of time I suppose.

 

I know this is an ancient thread, but I ran into it while trying to research what to do with the wheels on my truck. This is the second 150 I've owned with this particular wheel, and they are awful. No matter how carefully I wash the wheels, the brake dust or other "environmental" material pits them badly. I was hoping the cladding was replaceable, but of course not.

I'm considering resorting to a rattle-can flat black refinishing...it's not much different than what they are starting to look like, and at least it's consistent and repairable.

 

Really?

We talking about the same wheels as on my '10 XLT?

18" w/plastic chrome?

Mine are 2 years and 9 months old and still look brand friggin new!!

I could see the real aluminum wheels pitting, but not the plastic.

The power wash I frequent has a revolving wheel brush which slaps the pi$$ outta the wheels as they go by and I can't even find one blemish on the wheels, yet.

And I just washed "Chester" yesterday.

At first, I no likey, but after 33 months living in the salt belt and never having to do any maintenance other than chamoising them off after a power wash, I LIKEY LOTS!!

Get this:

When buying the truck initially, the salesman kept insisting I should by a 'wheel warranty' for 500$ which would cover wheel 'breakage' (but no cosmetics) cuz "These wheels are subject to fail". Warranty was only for 3 years.

I couldn't believe the wing-nut said that!! And then he spent another 10 minutes trying to get me to shell out the cash.

I told him that if the wheels really were subject to failure, the FoMoCo was breaking the law, and he knew about it making him complacent.

I thought he was gonna cry when I told him at least 5 times I wasn't gonna buy a 'wheel warranty'.