Engine Bling - Chrome vs. Stainless
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Engine Bling - Chrome vs. Stainless
I'm thinking about adding some engine bling and was curious as to the difference between chrome and stainless steel. I know that chrome has more pop than stainless, however I also read claims that chrome can chip and peel especially in a high temp environment such as an engine compartment.
Anyone have direct experience with this? Has anyone tried both types and prefer one over the other?
I'm not looking at completely covering the engine, just some smaller areas, perhaps to cover up the alternator, fluid caps, etc.
Thanks!
Anyone have direct experience with this? Has anyone tried both types and prefer one over the other?
I'm not looking at completely covering the engine, just some smaller areas, perhaps to cover up the alternator, fluid caps, etc.
Thanks!
Last edited by MSG C5; Aug 19, 2009 at 12:27 PM.
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From: Manassas Park VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08,-'13-'14, '16-'17
So here is my take on it.
SS is the less expensive way to do it. IMHO it looks as good as Chrome. SS takes a great deal of care to keep it looking perfect. Not so much that it is hard, but you need to use a foaming cleaner and a clean cloth when cleaning. SS scratches when not cared for like a babies butt
Chrome is easier to deal with and scratches way less, costs 2 to 3 times more. Cheap chrome will bubble and blister, and heat will make it happen quicker.
Very often we see people do a bunch of SS to get the look they are after. Then over time, they start swapping out individual pieces with Chrome...
Hope that helps
Peace
Chip
SS is the less expensive way to do it. IMHO it looks as good as Chrome. SS takes a great deal of care to keep it looking perfect. Not so much that it is hard, but you need to use a foaming cleaner and a clean cloth when cleaning. SS scratches when not cared for like a babies butt
Chrome is easier to deal with and scratches way less, costs 2 to 3 times more. Cheap chrome will bubble and blister, and heat will make it happen quicker.
Very often we see people do a bunch of SS to get the look they are after. Then over time, they start swapping out individual pieces with Chrome...
Hope that helps
Peace
Chip
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From: Hoover Alabama
I have had both and perfer chrome to stainless for the same reasons Chip stated above. The both look equally as good and as everyone else has said it all depends on your budget. If you decide to go stainless let me know I can save you some money.
Here is stainless
Here is chrome
Z0Slik
Here is stainless
Here is chrome
Z0Slik
Last edited by Z0SLIK; Aug 19, 2009 at 10:57 AM.
Burning Brakes
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From: Obama says I'm a bitter white guy clinging to my guns and religon and he's right
So here is my take on it.
SS is the less expensive way to do it. IMHO it looks as good as Chrome. SS takes a great deal of care to keep it looking perfect. Not so much that it is hard, but you need to use a foaming cleaner and a clean cloth when cleaning. SS scratches when not cared for like a babies butt
Chrome is easier to deal with and scratches way less, costs 2 to 3 times more. Cheap chrome will bubble and blister, and heat will make it happen quicker.
Very often we see people do a bunch of SS to get the look they are after. Then over time, they start swapping out individual pieces with Chrome...
Hope that helps
Peace
Chip
SS is the less expensive way to do it. IMHO it looks as good as Chrome. SS takes a great deal of care to keep it looking perfect. Not so much that it is hard, but you need to use a foaming cleaner and a clean cloth when cleaning. SS scratches when not cared for like a babies butt
Chrome is easier to deal with and scratches way less, costs 2 to 3 times more. Cheap chrome will bubble and blister, and heat will make it happen quicker.
Very often we see people do a bunch of SS to get the look they are after. Then over time, they start swapping out individual pieces with Chrome...
Hope that helps
Peace
Chip
Chome cost more, but if you take care of your SS it will be just fine. I have SS and have had no problem with it. See pic
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From: guthrie oklahoma
Melting Slicks
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From: North Port Fl
I pretty much agree with Chip. I have pieces of both SS and chrome and IMO if you can afford it get the chrome but you have to be careful because as you stated chrome can bubble and peel off if its a cheaply done job You have to buy from a reputable vendor. I bought some chrome plated door strikers and there was a spot in the middle of both strikers that was yellow from a lousy plating job.
The only problem with polished SS is that it scratches sOOO easily. It can be polished out but thats not an easy job. Never put polished (IMO) in a place where its going to be touched, or walked on (door sills) or in a place where something can be set on it. (Like a wrench or screwdriver on an inner fender well) For these places you want chrome. Something like the plenum cover between the FRC's polished SS is perfect, power steering pump cover, brake booster cover, alt cover, these are all good thing to do in polished SS, you just have to be very careful when you clean it. Use compressed air to blow it off first and then as Chip has suggested use a foaming cleaner and kinda blot it until you are very sure there is absolutely no dirt at all on itl.
The only problem with polished SS is that it scratches sOOO easily. It can be polished out but thats not an easy job. Never put polished (IMO) in a place where its going to be touched, or walked on (door sills) or in a place where something can be set on it. (Like a wrench or screwdriver on an inner fender well) For these places you want chrome. Something like the plenum cover between the FRC's polished SS is perfect, power steering pump cover, brake booster cover, alt cover, these are all good thing to do in polished SS, you just have to be very careful when you clean it. Use compressed air to blow it off first and then as Chip has suggested use a foaming cleaner and kinda blot it until you are very sure there is absolutely no dirt at all on itl.
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Burning Brakes
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From: Senecaville Ohio
You probably have seen both my pictures of my change over, but my experience is SS was very hard to take care of. Always fighting with scratches or a haze I just could not get off. The chrome has allot more depth and will scratch, but allot more foregiving not scratch in the first place. SS looks thinner and bends easier where as my chrome looks heavier and more quality. For me at the shows, that is what I have strived for. Even thought allot has changed on my engine, intake, hoses, battery cover, etc., you still can see the difference in the look. I just went SS first to make it more affordable to mod.
Laurie
SS
Chrome
Laurie
SS
Chrome
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Thanks for all the feedback. Regardless of the direction I go, the pieces will be limited so it won't look like one big mirror when I open the hood. I agree chrome pops more, however I've seen more items available in SS.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Last edited by MSG C5; Aug 19, 2009 at 12:27 PM.
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From: Hazel Green, Wi www.doubledmods.com
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
So here is my take on it.
SS is the less expensive way to do it. IMHO it looks as good as Chrome. SS takes a great deal of care to keep it looking perfect. Not so much that it is hard, but you need to use a foaming cleaner and a clean cloth when cleaning. SS scratches when not cared for like a babies butt
Chrome is easier to deal with and scratches way less, costs 2 to 3 times more. Cheap chrome will bubble and blister, and heat will make it happen quicker.
Very often we see people do a bunch of SS to get the look they are after. Then over time, they start swapping out individual pieces with Chrome...
Hope that helps
Peace
Chip
SS is the less expensive way to do it. IMHO it looks as good as Chrome. SS takes a great deal of care to keep it looking perfect. Not so much that it is hard, but you need to use a foaming cleaner and a clean cloth when cleaning. SS scratches when not cared for like a babies butt
Chrome is easier to deal with and scratches way less, costs 2 to 3 times more. Cheap chrome will bubble and blister, and heat will make it happen quicker.
Very often we see people do a bunch of SS to get the look they are after. Then over time, they start swapping out individual pieces with Chrome...
Hope that helps
Peace
Chip
it is hard to keep clean and you have to be very careful with it. But i love the look. It was only option i found for the tank covers that had sides that i really liked
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From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
Polished
I prefer actual engine parts that are polished.. 
Chrome has a wet look, but nicely done polish work can look wet and also have a "glow" that chome can't match.
These pictures are one year after all the work was done, no oxidation as long as it's not daily driven with rain water and gunk washing up and baking onto a hot engine.
My old car just before Twin Turbos (the intake was rough satin when I got it, the whole thing was done in my driveway... piece by piece)
My Zo6 project... just a mock up, the engine still has to come out, heads removed, etc.
Chrome has a wet look, but nicely done polish work can look wet and also have a "glow" that chome can't match.
These pictures are one year after all the work was done, no oxidation as long as it's not daily driven with rain water and gunk washing up and baking onto a hot engine.
My old car just before Twin Turbos (the intake was rough satin when I got it, the whole thing was done in my driveway... piece by piece)
My Zo6 project... just a mock up, the engine still has to come out, heads removed, etc.
Last edited by ~Josh; Aug 20, 2009 at 01:26 PM.
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The chrome is so much easier to keep clean and looking good - that is its big attraction. I had chrome pieces on an '84 Vette and did not have any problems with it chipping, peeling, etc.
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From: Slidell LA
I have had my chrome from Creative Engine Covers for about a year with out no problems of bubbling or cracking!! No matter if it SS or chrome you still have to be very careful what you use on it, and both will still scratch easly!!.jpg)
