The wheels are from a late 1930's BSA and original to the bike. Finding another set of rims would be difficult and no doubt expensive. The rims appear to be in acceptable condition with surface rust so I was thinking of taking them to a media blaster (not sand blaster) as it would be less stressful. However, I am open to suggestions. Assuming I get the wheels down to base metal, what happens next beside a coat of primer? My hardware store has chrome spray paint and an aluminum alloy looking paint in a bottle as well.

Please note I am not restoring the bike to "like new", but want to cease the wheel's rust problems and make the bike safe to ride plus look tidy.

Thanks, Jeff

Im in the same exact predicament, with a Peugeot I'm fixing up. Not wanting to put in hours of my muscle and sweat into the rust removal of my French baby, I tried something new. Highly recommend Evaporust. The best deal is the gallon size I learned after buying 4 of the 32 oz. and the cheapest spot is Harborfreight. But you gotta have the 20% off coupon. Amazon has had it pretty cheap to.
Anyways, you soak any parts with rust and it comes off like butter. But doesn't smell, sting or anything. My issue now is finding the right container to soak my rims. Seriously should have my own line of bicycle restoration supplies. Im at the point where all the rust is off and now I see where the chrome is gone. I'm waiting on a quote from chrome plater, and checked out price on new parts, and checked out spray chrome also. I also am debating on what to do with the frame, now that rust is gone there are a ton of nicks. The last bike I painted was a b****. Excuse my unlady like language. Let me know what you do. But keep in mind if you do anything to the rim your gonna have to get all new spokes and that can be $$ and a whole new thang.

I'd replace them. Getting the remaining chrome off will be an ordeal by itself, and the surface will be pitted such that painting will leave the surface irregular unless you do a lot of sanding and polishing. If a replacement wheelset isn't available, look for a whole bike with good wheels. It's often cheaper that way.

I have tried Evaporust...and it works well...but...on these...even that will be a ton of work...time for replacements...

You could probably take them to a powder coater and have them coated black or "chrome" and it won't look too bad. I like the fake chrome they do.

I assume these are EA1 rims, ie 26 x 1¼", ie 597mm? If you aren't "restoring" the bike to be a museum piece then Sun CR18 rims in EA3 size, ie 26 x 1 3/8, ie 590mm, are a good alternative. They are available in the classic British 32h / 40h drilling, so you can keep your original hubs; the size is close enough that the brakes will reach; and you have far more and better tire options.

www.jet-hot.com I've not used them but many car and motorcycle folks have and gotten good results. No idea what the cost is for two rims. The can apply a 'chrome' coating that looks very close to chrome and is very durable - high heat, highly corrosive gases (like exhaust headers & mufflers) and outside in all weather conditions. Can't hurt to call them.

My personal choice would be to rebuild the wheels with steel 590mm Endrick rims. The aluminum rims are superior in ways, but they would stand out as modern replacements where the steel rims would be barely noticeable and the 590s would allow for better selection of tires than the original EA1s.

I vote Evaporust as well but it gets expensive. Some people dig a hole or create something that will allow you to use a trash bag or other plastic. Lay rim on side with center area deeper. Will save using too much of it but it is recyclable. I run mine through a funnel with rag filter before storing.

Or, you could take it to a chrome plating shop and just pay them to chemically strip. The do it before re-chroming parts so you may be able to just do that service fairly cheap.

I am assuming you have checked really carefully that it's just chrome pitting and not through the rim? I was going down the same path as you with some badly pitted rims from my 1952 Paff, until I put my finger through the rim in one spot. I chose the new alloy rim approach and couldn't be happier. If you want an even more original look then I second the use of new steel rims - you honestly won't notice after a day or two!