OE wheel trim rings
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,278
Likes: 4,372
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Z,
Yes the original trim rings were stainless steel BUT were additionally flash chrome plated.
When buffing the rings to remove imperfections it's typical to quickly buff through the plating. This leaves a noticeable difference of the color of that area of the ring.
It's this plating that makes really good restoration of rings difficult since very few platers are set up to chrome plate stainless steel.
This is why original production rings in excellent condition are VERY expensive.
Regards,
Alan
There are some nice reproductions available for folks that are only concerned about the appearance of the rings when installed.
Yes the original trim rings were stainless steel BUT were additionally flash chrome plated.
When buffing the rings to remove imperfections it's typical to quickly buff through the plating. This leaves a noticeable difference of the color of that area of the ring.
It's this plating that makes really good restoration of rings difficult since very few platers are set up to chrome plate stainless steel.
This is why original production rings in excellent condition are VERY expensive.
Regards,
Alan
There are some nice reproductions available for folks that are only concerned about the appearance of the rings when installed.
Last edited by Alan 71; May 15, 2016 at 02:13 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,278
Likes: 4,372
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi W71,
It seems the rings EXACTLY like those shipped with 68-72 cars from St.Louis were ONLY available from the production line.
Even rings bought through the parts department during those years were slightly different.
Fortunately those differences only matter to very few people so the service replacement and GM Reproduction rings available now for more reasonable $$ are just fine for most cars.
Regards,
Alan
It seems the rings EXACTLY like those shipped with 68-72 cars from St.Louis were ONLY available from the production line.
Even rings bought through the parts department during those years were slightly different.
Fortunately those differences only matter to very few people so the service replacement and GM Reproduction rings available now for more reasonable $$ are just fine for most cars.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; May 16, 2016 at 12:41 PM.
