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Chrome Wheels

Chrome wheels are not actually solid chrome; that would be a prohibitively expensive item to manufacture. Rather, chrome wheels feature a thin layer of chrome plating over an ordinary wheel that is made of a metal such as aluminum or steel. The chrome plating gives the wheel its distinctive shine, as well as protecting the body of the wheel with a hard coating.

Chrome plating is an involved process that is still most often done without the benefit of full machine automation. That is done because there are several factors that must be subjectively evaluated when finishing a set of chrome wheels, or any chrome plated automotive parts for that matter. The surfaces of the item must be carefully blasted smooth, free of any imperfections or flaws. Any pits must be filled in, and any rough edges must be smoothed.

Before applying chrome to the wheels, they must be sub-plated with another material; most often copper, to aid the bonding of the chrome to the wheel itself. Industrial acids are used extensively in the chrome plating process, which makes it a hazardous one for those who aren’t familiar with it. All in all, it’s fairly amazing that chrome wheels are as competitively priced as they are.

 

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