Chrome or High Polished? Help...
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Instructor
Joined: May 2005
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Chrome or High Polished? Help...
I broke my driver's side rear 18" wheel (don't ask) I've posted the need for a single wheel in the parts forum, but the question was asked are you sure there chrome and not High polished. The nice gentleman said to put a magnet to the wheel and if it sticks, it's chrome, if their's no attraction then they're High polished. Problem is there is just a slight magnetic attraction. Now I'm really confused.. Is there any way to tell for sure if I need to lood for chrome or high poloshed? Any help would be nice. Or if anybody has an extra 18" rear wheel their trying to get rid of...please let me know...Thanks, Mike.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
The wheels are aluminum, and not magnetic.
Factory wheels are polished, and clearcoated.
If you suspect the wheels are chrome plated (aftermarket), and you found them "slightly" magnetic, then they probably are. Chrome plating involves 3 layers of metallic coatings, one of which is nickel, and nickel IS magnetic.
I could tell you if it is chrome or not just by looking at it...chrome is like a mirror., polished (especially factory coated) will be slightly duller, and the factory coated wheels tend to have a bit of milkyness to the finish, more than a plain (non coated) polished finish would have.
Factory wheels are polished, and clearcoated.
If you suspect the wheels are chrome plated (aftermarket), and you found them "slightly" magnetic, then they probably are. Chrome plating involves 3 layers of metallic coatings, one of which is nickel, and nickel IS magnetic.
I could tell you if it is chrome or not just by looking at it...chrome is like a mirror., polished (especially factory coated) will be slightly duller, and the factory coated wheels tend to have a bit of milkyness to the finish, more than a plain (non coated) polished finish would have.
