Chrome wheel flaking inevitable?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Huntley Il
Chrome wheel flaking inevitable?
Is it inevitable that chrome wheels will flake or pit when the car is driven only in good weather approx. 3k miles per year and otherwise garage kept? :cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: Chrome wheel flaking inevitable? (rbesq)
Probably inevitable.
The brake dust makes microscopic pits, and moisture sits in there and oxidizes the chrome I guess... pits get larger and larger, and eventually go through the chrome... then moisture and air gets under the chrome....
I polish mine every 3 weeks or so.. and still notice new pits every time that won't polish out.
The brake dust makes microscopic pits, and moisture sits in there and oxidizes the chrome I guess... pits get larger and larger, and eventually go through the chrome... then moisture and air gets under the chrome....
I polish mine every 3 weeks or so.. and still notice new pits every time that won't polish out.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: MCAA License to Kill
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Chrome wheel flaking inevitable? (CentralCoaster)
:iagree: Given enough time, it's just gonna happen :smash: :smash: Although, some chrome jobs are better than others and last longer :yesnod: :cool:
I can tell you the chrome stripping in my brothers 86 El Camino is peeling :sad: And just today when I was detailing the wheels on my truck, :D , I noticed one of the chrome lugs was peeling :( :cry But, that's more likely due to a wrongly placed airgun :( :crazy:
It's a bummer. That's just how chrome is... :crazy: :cheers:
I can tell you the chrome stripping in my brothers 86 El Camino is peeling :sad: And just today when I was detailing the wheels on my truck, :D , I noticed one of the chrome lugs was peeling :( :cry But, that's more likely due to a wrongly placed airgun :( :crazy:
It's a bummer. That's just how chrome is... :crazy: :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Construction Sucks! MI
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor '03 & '05
Re: Chrome wheel flaking inevitable? (85red_vette)
That problem was one of the reasons I went with the black wheels.
:steering:
:steering:
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Kerrville, Texas USA Hook 'em Horns!
CentralTX Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Re: Chrome wheel flaking inevitable? (86_RedRider)
That problem was one of the reasons I went with the black wheels.
:steering:
and polished wheels, although it's not as shiny as chrome it comes close.
:steering:
and polished wheels, although it's not as shiny as chrome it comes close.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
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From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Re: Chrome wheel flaking inevitable? (rbesq)
Chrome? Theres a company that makes a spray chrome at 95% the reflection of plated chrome. You load it in your gun and spray away.
I think the website is http://www.alsacorp.com. Its only $225.00 a quart.
The more you reduce it the less of a refletive finsh. You can vary the finish from 95% refelection to the look of cad plating or brushed chrome.
It will go over plastic, metal, etc.
I think the website is http://www.alsacorp.com. Its only $225.00 a quart.
The more you reduce it the less of a refletive finsh. You can vary the finish from 95% refelection to the look of cad plating or brushed chrome.
It will go over plastic, metal, etc.
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Bergen County, NJ
Re: Chrome wheel flaking inevitable? (rbesq)
I have factory '88 wheels, sent out to be Chromed by its previous owner, several years ago.
So far no problems.
I think it has something to do with the QUALITY of the chroming process.
Triple chrome plated, etc.....
I'm sure some chroming companies do a cheapo job.
They all look good when 1st done.
:chevy
So far no problems.
I think it has something to do with the QUALITY of the chroming process.
Triple chrome plated, etc.....
I'm sure some chroming companies do a cheapo job.
They all look good when 1st done.
:chevy
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Potomac MD
Re: Chrome wheel flaking inevitable? (Wayne88)
Is unsprung weight an issue? Sure, I know people who freat at grams of unnecessary unsprung weight... does anyone have any empirical data regarding the additional weight penalty of chrome plating an aluminum wheel? :confused:
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,753
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From: Orange County California
Re: Chrome wheel flaking inevitable? (Chronos)
Brake dust is what does it. Just take some non ammoniaglass cleaner and spray them every night before you put the car away. It takes at most a minute a wheel and you will have no problems.
I let my old wheels sit most of the winter and they had little pits right where the brake dust sits. I wont make that mistake with my new wheels
I let my old wheels sit most of the winter and they had little pits right where the brake dust sits. I wont make that mistake with my new wheels
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Bowling Green OH
Re: Chrome wheel flaking inevitable? (86_RedRider)
That problem was one of the reasons I went with the black wheels.
:steering:
and polished wheels, although it's not as shiny as chrome it comes close.
:steering:
and polished wheels, although it's not as shiny as chrome it comes close.
I'm not a flash kinda person so the lower shine factor isn't a big deal. Is there anything extra that needs to be done to care for them?
:steering: :confused: :)
Large Impressive Member
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Re: Chrome wheel flaking inevitable? (rbesq)
Definitely it seems that chrome on anything has a finite life and it's worse on wheels since they are exposed to so many different things. Obviously quality chroming helps but the cost of any chroming just continues to climb due to environmental laws re/ the process, in this country anyway. So I'm sure the average quality of chrome parts has declined over the years. Personally, I'm not a big fan of chrome, if it's not polished aluminum or stainless I can live without it. Good stainless can be polished to a luster every bit the equal of chrome, with an even better look IMO and aluminum can be polished very nicely too with a character all it's own. I think the only chrome on my car is the Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet license plate frame!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: Chrome wheel flaking inevitable? (Corvette Kid NC)
"Triple chrome plated" is a gimmick. All chrome is triple plated. It's just how the process is done. Makes as much sense as saying, "cured paint".
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
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Re: Chrome wheel flaking inevitable? (rbesq)
Or is it the new generation of these "Corvette Rims"? I have a set on mine I paid a fortune for, and they're pitting after one season. I used to have chrome rims on muscle cars back in the 70's and 80's ,and that plating would last for years. I've had the aluminum and magnesium rims, and the corrosion would lead to bead leaks. I'm starting to think a good old fashioned painted steel rim would outlast any of these exotic metals, or chrome units? It sucks, you wash the car and don't drive in the winter and $1000 plus worth of wheels and hardware are ruined that fast. The painted ones on my wifes minivan look great afte 4 years in the salt, you'd think they could make vette rims a little more robust. They must not have to pass any salt spray chamber testing on aftermarket units, and see us coming.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 27,818
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From: CT
Chrome wheel flaking inevitable?
I think it is.
Even with a hexvalent(copper nickle chrome) method, I've seen wheels pit and peel.
Aluminum is a very pourous material(I know nothing about mettalurgy, but I'd think that'd allow it to bond better) and for some reason, the chrome doesn't fully bond and stay bonded too well. If moisture gets under the plating, it's over. Peel city. Sucks...but that's how it is. I have to agree it is a very nice addition to the look of the car. Night and Day difference on some cars. :cheers:
Even with a hexvalent(copper nickle chrome) method, I've seen wheels pit and peel.
Aluminum is a very pourous material(I know nothing about mettalurgy, but I'd think that'd allow it to bond better) and for some reason, the chrome doesn't fully bond and stay bonded too well. If moisture gets under the plating, it's over. Peel city. Sucks...but that's how it is. I have to agree it is a very nice addition to the look of the car. Night and Day difference on some cars. :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
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From: Philadelphia Burbs
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Re: Chrome wheel flaking inevitable? (CentralCoaster)
Probably inevitable.
The brake dust makes microscopic pits, and moisture sits in there and oxidizes the chrome I guess... pits get larger and larger, and eventually go through the chrome... then moisture and air gets under the chrome...
The brake dust makes microscopic pits, and moisture sits in there and oxidizes the chrome I guess... pits get larger and larger, and eventually go through the chrome... then moisture and air gets under the chrome...
