New Wheel Help Please
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: At The Beach NC
New Wheel Help Please
My beautiful chrome sawblades are starting to pit and rust badly. I am the 4th owner, and they were purchased before the 3rd owner, so they may be a bit old. Complicating things is that I live at the NC beach, and salt air is an issue.
So, what finish / material for new wheels would be best for my climate?
I have been told by various people that a) chrome should last forever if kept well and b) any chrome job depends on how good it is prepped, and that nobody guarantees a chrome job past a year.
But, my wife really likes the chrome!
Thanks, Bob
So, what finish / material for new wheels would be best for my climate?
I have been told by various people that a) chrome should last forever if kept well and b) any chrome job depends on how good it is prepped, and that nobody guarantees a chrome job past a year.
But, my wife really likes the chrome!
Thanks, Bob
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Phoenix, Arizona
Hi Bob,
Fancy meetin' you here.
Obviously going w/ an aftermarket wheel is an option. The problem w/ that for you in my opinion is that the aftermarket wheels leave the rotors and calipers visible. The calipers can be painted (which I did) as can the inside part of the rotors (which I also did but have now switched to drilled/slotted rotors) but keep in mind, if you don't paint you will be able to see the "rusty" looking parts inside - which I imagine look "just that way" because of the sea air. On the other hand, the sawblades cover all that up...hmmmm.
If it were possible, I would just have your sawblades re-chromed. I know that you, as well as your wife, like that look. The question is where in your area to have that done? I know, good question.
That's all I have sir...
Cya,
Jeff
Fancy meetin' you here.
Obviously going w/ an aftermarket wheel is an option. The problem w/ that for you in my opinion is that the aftermarket wheels leave the rotors and calipers visible. The calipers can be painted (which I did) as can the inside part of the rotors (which I also did but have now switched to drilled/slotted rotors) but keep in mind, if you don't paint you will be able to see the "rusty" looking parts inside - which I imagine look "just that way" because of the sea air. On the other hand, the sawblades cover all that up...hmmmm.
If it were possible, I would just have your sawblades re-chromed. I know that you, as well as your wife, like that look. The question is where in your area to have that done? I know, good question.
That's all I have sir...
Cya,
Jeff
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Neither chrome, nor aluminum rust, so I'm not sure what you are seeing.
If you want a low-maintenance wheel...and you or your spouse like chrome...have the wheels re-chromed.
Polished aluminum is a PITA; you'll have to polish it every month in a dry climate, every two weeks if you live near salt water....and polishing aluminum wheels is THE most unpleasant job in the automotive world.
Larry
code5coupe
If you want a low-maintenance wheel...and you or your spouse like chrome...have the wheels re-chromed.
Polished aluminum is a PITA; you'll have to polish it every month in a dry climate, every two weeks if you live near salt water....and polishing aluminum wheels is THE most unpleasant job in the automotive world.
Larry
code5coupe
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From: Lake Wylie SC
Originally Posted by rocco16
Neither chrome, nor aluminum rust, so I'm not sure what you are seeing.
If you want a low-maintenance wheel...and you or your spouse like chrome...have the wheels re-chromed.
Polished aluminum is a PITA; you'll have to polish it every month in a dry climate, every two weeks if you live near salt water....and polishing aluminum wheels is THE most unpleasant job in the automotive world.
Larry
code5coupe
If you want a low-maintenance wheel...and you or your spouse like chrome...have the wheels re-chromed.
Polished aluminum is a PITA; you'll have to polish it every month in a dry climate, every two weeks if you live near salt water....and polishing aluminum wheels is THE most unpleasant job in the automotive world.
Larry
code5coupe
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Originally Posted by Strick
True to form on the forum, what ever anyone has is the best.
In my case, however, I have polished aluminum and don't care for it AT ALL.
Originally Posted by Strick
And chrome does rust and pit which you can't do anything about, especially in salt environments.
Chrome cannot rust.
Rust is iron oxide.
Chrome is not iron.
And, chromium oxide is not visible to the human eye.
It's possible that any steel(an iron alloy) which is chrome plated can rust, but not if the chrome plating is intact.
Larry
code5coupe
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From: Sussex,Wi
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Originally Posted by rocco16
No, chrome does not rust.
Chrome cannot rust.
Rust is iron oxide.
Chrome is not iron.
And, chromium oxide is not visible to the human eye.
It's possible that any steel(an iron alloy) which is chrome plated can rust, but not if the chrome plating is intact.
Larry
code5coupe
Chrome cannot rust.
Rust is iron oxide.
Chrome is not iron.
And, chromium oxide is not visible to the human eye.
It's possible that any steel(an iron alloy) which is chrome plated can rust, but not if the chrome plating is intact.
Larry
code5coupe
I'm no chemist, and I haven't slept at Holiday Express lately, but I do agree with most of this.
The base material of the wheel is unrustable (is this a word)alloy/aluminum, but I also believe the chrome plating will pit from salt damage. The only way it would rust would be some metal plating that went onto the wheel before the nickel and chrome were applied.
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Lake Wylie SC
Originally Posted by rocco16
No, chrome does not rust.
Chrome cannot rust.
Rust is iron oxide.
Chrome is not iron.
And, chromium oxide is not visible to the human eye.
It's possible that any steel(an iron alloy) which is chrome plated can rust, but not if the chrome plating is intact.
Larry
code5coupe
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Originally Posted by Strick
What is this: Looks like rust, feels like rust, maybe it's mold:
Man, that's ugly.
Larry
code5coupe
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Lake Wylie SC
Originally Posted by rocco16
No, not mold. It's rust alright, but it's the steel under the plating that's rusting.
Man, that's ugly.
Larry
code5coupe
Man, that's ugly.
Larry
code5coupe
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From: At The Beach NC
Hey, thanks for all the input, and nice to hear from you Jeff also. I didn't get much response to a similar question on the "other" forum.
Well as to what I have, the chrome is certainly pitted and rough, and it looks brown. The question, I guess, is whether I have aluminum or steel wheels.
I had heard that it is very difficult to plate chrome on aluminum, so perhaps the wheels are in fact steel. If so, that is where the rust is coming from. If not, who knows?
Jeff, I could have them re-chromed. I hear there is somebody in VA that a friend long ago used for bumpers, etc. and he swears by them. I will check it out. But the problem is jacking the car up, getting the tires off, waiting howmany weeks or months to get the wheels back, etc. I was thinking of just ordering new wheels + tires when my current tires are worn, which shouldn't be toooo long.
I did get a reply from AFS wheels, who recommended a painted, clearcoated wheel for my circumstances. Nice of them to reply...
And thanks to all who replied here - I appreciate the input!
Bob
Well as to what I have, the chrome is certainly pitted and rough, and it looks brown. The question, I guess, is whether I have aluminum or steel wheels.
I had heard that it is very difficult to plate chrome on aluminum, so perhaps the wheels are in fact steel. If so, that is where the rust is coming from. If not, who knows?
Jeff, I could have them re-chromed. I hear there is somebody in VA that a friend long ago used for bumpers, etc. and he swears by them. I will check it out. But the problem is jacking the car up, getting the tires off, waiting howmany weeks or months to get the wheels back, etc. I was thinking of just ordering new wheels + tires when my current tires are worn, which shouldn't be toooo long.
I did get a reply from AFS wheels, who recommended a painted, clearcoated wheel for my circumstances. Nice of them to reply...
And thanks to all who replied here - I appreciate the input!
Bob