Chrome Clad Wheels
- Thread starter Fishman
- Start date
Bostonsfavson
New member
All chrome wheels are "clad" in chrome--it's not like they're milled from a giant block of chrome. I would assume that they are the typical clearcoated chrome wheels which most other manufacturers use. If that's the case, then care for them in the same way you would your paint--a little polish to clean them up, then throw a sealant on them for protection.
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
You can replace that cladding? GM is using this too.
Bostonsfavson said:
clearcoated chrome???????
why in the world would they clearcoat chrome?
Luster said:Yeah, the process of putting that "chrome-like" surface on plastic is called Vacuum Metallizing.
You actually have to me MORE careful with that than with uncoated plastic, because certain chemicals and processes will make it start to peel around the edges. Todays vac-metallized plastics are much better than those of the past, but I've still seen damage by those who tried to use a cutting polish with a PC...
Wax or sealant is definitely a good idea... although, depending on the grille you're dealing with, the pattern of the "checks" could make it very difficult to wax.
I will normally just use car wash soap and water with a very soft brush that can get down in the cracks...
If just doing a QD, I'll use my normal QD spray and do the best I can with a soft MF.
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
BigJimZ28 said:
Yeah, I know, I just hadn't heard of it being a "serviceable" item. Are you saying you can go to the dealer and order the cladding, pry off a damaged one, and glue the new one on? Or is this just done at the wheel repair place after you trade in your core?
My mother has these on her GM car, and she bent a wheel. A wheel repair shop I deal with told me they couldn't fix them because if they heat the wheel it damages the cladding...I'm presuming if the cladding is available in the aftermarket, that they would have told me they would pop the cladding fix the wheel, and reglue the old or new cladding..but they said all they could do was try and find me a take-off wheel.
WhiteStripes
New member
I've never heard of this before. Interesting tech.
RaskyR1
Rasky's Auto Detailing
WhiteStripes said:
Same here!
Bostonsfavson
New member
Fishman said:
Well, I'll be darned. I've never seen those before. They're certainly, um...interesting. So basically, they're glorified hupcaps?
BigJimZ28 said:
Why wouldn't they? GM does this on all of their chrome wheels, as do many other manufacturers. It protects the pathetically thin chrome they plate the wheels with.
You cannot just replace the cladding... we have an '08 Avenger with the "chrome" clad rims... asked the dealer and the whole rim needs replaced if something happens to the plastic. Its not quality plastic either... cheap cheap stuff.
But I would really like to know myself how to clean and protect this stuff since it seems brake dust will just totally ruin it.
But I would really like to know myself how to clean and protect this stuff since it seems brake dust will just totally ruin it.
Bostonsfavson
New member
BigJimZ28 said:
Sorry, but they do. The wheels I have are GM OEM CK997 Style wheels. You can check them out here.
I can assure you that these wheels are chrome, and that they are also coated. I'm not Todd or Scott, but I know a coated chrome wheel.
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
Bostonsfavson said:
What makes you think that they have clearcoat over the chrome? I'm sorry but I'm with Jim on this one...usually you would select chrome instead of a painted wheel for greater durability (the plating being harder than paint...corrosion durability might be a different story), but it's hard to imagine a cheap OEM doing both.
Bostonsfavson
New member
BigJimZ28 said:
Chrome finish=chrome plating. If I put a magnet on them, it sticks. Polished aluminum wouldn't do this.
And I know that they're coated because it's quite obvious when you polish them. Metal polishes have no effect--you have to use paint polish. Personally, I use FPII and follow it up with FMJ.
I went through this whole jazz last year when I ordered the wheels. Many people, such as yourself, said, "no, they're not chrome or chrome plated or chrome anything--they're just polished." I ended up talking to a few service techs who confirmed that the wheels are chrome plated and then coated.
Bostonsfavson
New member
Setec Astronomy said:
See my post above. I was told that the coating protects the relatively meager chrome coating. Working on the wheels have confirmed that they're coated.
Bostonsfavson said:
1.) I agree that they are chrome
2.) the polished wheels have an acrylic CC not the chrome
3.) why whould you listen to a Tech over BigJim:think:
4.):sosad sorry but you still incorrect, if you are correct there would be some info somewhere on the WWW ...so please show it to me
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
Bostonsfavson said:
Metal polishes have no effect on what? Swirls? Dullness? Scratches?
Bostonsfavson said:
Believe me, I understand the difference between painted, "high-polish" with clear over it, and chrome. But I wouldn't go on what the service techs say; in another life I worked at a dealer, and I have a friend whose son works at a dealer...which is why I keep my cars as far away from the dealer as possible. Don't get me started on the competence of dealer mechanics...
Anyway, if you say it has clear over the chrome, I'll consider the matter closed.
Bostonsfavson
New member
BigJimZ28 said:1.) I agree that they are chrome
2.) the polished wheels have an acrylic CC not the chrome
3.) why whould you listen to a Tech over BigJim:think:
4.):sosad sorry but you still incorrect, if you are correct there would be some info somewhere on the WWW ...so please show it to me
And if you were correct, you would have some information to show me. I showed you a link saying that they're chrome, which you disregarded because it says "chrome finish" in one spot. Many other official GM sites state them as being chrome.
I'm not sure I understand your post, though--you agree that they are chrome, but I'm still incorrect? Eh? If they were polished, they wouldn't pass the magnet test. I think that alone settles it, even if you disregard the info on the web, the techs I spoke with, and my own empirical evidence.