SharkDiver Report post Posted October 21, 2011 All, I just bought a new 2011 AWD Edge Limited with the "shinny" chrome 20" wheels. I didn't realize until I was washing it that they are plastic caps!! It sounds like I wasn't the only onewho didn't notice this at the dealer but whatever.... After looking closer, it looks like they are painted silver and clear coated under the plastic caps. I didn't want to pull back any harder with worries of breaking the plastic but, does anyone know what is actually under the plastic?? Also, how do you get the plastic covers off? They must be replacable because you can buy them seperately for around $200 for all four. Do they snap on, glued, what....??? There might be a pretty cool looking aluminum wheel under there. Or at least, one that can be powder coated........... Thanks!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jlong Report post Posted October 21, 2011 (edited) I wouldn't mind knowing myself. I had imagined roughly casted unfinished metal. Edited October 21, 2011 by jlong Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cal3thousand Report post Posted October 21, 2011 I wouldn't mind knowing myself. I had imagined roughly casted unfinished metal. That's what it is. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SharkDiver Report post Posted October 22, 2011 That's what it is. Are you sure?? I used a screw driver and lifted it back as far as I could. I could see about 1.5 inches into the rim. My wheel was definately painted silver and clear coated. OK, how do you get the plastic clad cap off? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jlong Report post Posted October 24, 2011 Are you sure?? I used a screw driver and lifted it back as far as I could. I could see about 1.5 inches into the rim. My wheel was definately painted silver and clear coated. OK, how do you get the plastic clad cap off? From what I have heard it's epoxied on. You would have to chisel or grind it off. You should try to find a damaged one really cheaply and try to strip it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cal3thousand Report post Posted October 24, 2011 From what I've seen (during tire rotation), the metal is just unfinished aluminum. It's probably machined lightly. I wouldn't expect anything "finished" as that would be prohibitively costly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Waldo Report post Posted October 25, 2011 There are also a bunch of big holes and tabs cast into them to provide positive mounting for the caps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fishx65 Report post Posted October 25, 2011 Nice, a $40,000 dollar vehicle with plastic hubcaps!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
akirby Report post Posted October 26, 2011 Nice, a $40,000 dollar vehicle with chrome plated wheels that won't pit or corrode or weigh too much. Fixed it for you. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richy Report post Posted October 26, 2011 Fixed it for you. You just took the glass from 1/2 empty to 1/2 full, LOL. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Waldo Report post Posted October 27, 2011 Nice, a $40,000 dollar vehicle with plastic hubcaps!!!!! And plastic bumpers, and a plastic fuel tank, and a plastic intake manifold... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jlong Report post Posted October 27, 2011 And plastic bumpers, and a plastic fuel tank, and a plastic intake manifold... Aren't the door handles plastic too? Damn it. :angry: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fishx65 Report post Posted October 27, 2011 OK, OK, they are awesome!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jlong Report post Posted October 27, 2011 (edited) OK, OK, they are awesome!!!! I actually hate them. I damaged 1 of them right after I purchased my edge. I came from a truck where it didn't matter what the hell you hit and wasn't as careful as I should have been. They cannot be repaired which sucks, at least from what I have found out. And that is why I was curious about what was under the plastic. Edited October 27, 2011 by jlong Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cal3thousand Report post Posted October 27, 2011 I'm happy with opting for the 18s. I'm sure I would have curbed the 20s by now Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cal3thousand Report post Posted November 22, 2011 (edited) I have some "insider" information on the construction of the these chrome clad wheels. Don't say I never did anything for you guys. Just for this community, I have arranged for the deconstruction of a rim: These things are bonded with what appears to be an epoxy based adhesive. These things "should" be serviceable. Ford would just have to sell the "caps" and a method to rebond them. Maybe an aftermarket provider will step up, but I kind of doubt it based on the patents pending. (stay tuned to the forum for a post of the complete carnage with details) Edited November 22, 2011 by cal3thousand Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jlong Report post Posted November 22, 2011 That's awesome. Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sac AZN On the EDGE Report post Posted November 22, 2011 So is it possible to fix the wheels? Yeah, I wasn't paying attention and parked too close to the curb and raised a small rash (about 6 inches) on each of my passenger side wheels :heartbreaker: What can I do to get them repaired? Thanks guys! ~Sac Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cal3thousand Report post Posted November 22, 2011 So is it possible to fix the wheels? Yeah, I wasn't paying attention and parked too close to the curb and raised a small rash (about 6 inches) on each of my passenger side wheels :heartbreaker: What can I do to get them repaired? Thanks guys! ~Sac Not unless some company (or Ford themselves) decides to manufacture "hub caps" that would fit. (unfortunately) My best piece of advice is Plasti Dip 'em and rock the blacked out look. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sac AZN On the EDGE Report post Posted November 22, 2011 Not unless some company (or Ford themselves) decides to manufacture "hub caps" that would fit. (unfortunately) My best piece of advice is Plasti Dip 'em and rock the blacked out look. Noooooooo :nonono: ! My beautiful (but fake) chrome wheels can't be fixed?!?!? Somebody say it ain't so ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dingo Report post Posted November 23, 2011 Peel that crap off and PVD 'em. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sac AZN On the EDGE Report post Posted November 23, 2011 Peel that crap off and PVD 'em. errr, excuse my ignorance, but what do you mean by "PVD" them? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cal3thousand Report post Posted November 23, 2011 errr, excuse my ignorance, but what do you mean by "PVD" them? http://www.americanpvd.com/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sac AZN On the EDGE Report post Posted November 23, 2011 http://www.americanpvd.com/ Ohhhh! Thanks cal3thousand! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cal3thousand Report post Posted November 23, 2011 (edited) Ohhhh! Thanks cal3thousand! You're welcome. But it's Dingo that has all this product knowledge. I just Google pretty fast. Slightly off topic: Here's a pic of the wheel damage I incurred over the weekend. Notice the exposed pieces of the rim underneath. Now, also notice the piece of rim from Audi that hit me hanging inside my tire. That piece of his rim stayed with my car all day through being towed to the ski resort (Bear Mtn) then towed back to home to LA. I didn't realize it was not from my Edge until after I took that picture and inspected the pieces left over. Edited November 23, 2011 by cal3thousand Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
