Re: chrome factory alloys

["Dean W. Cains" <dwc@xxxxxx>]

Hi Craig:

Although alloy wheels are commonly chrome-plated, it should be noted that 
the plating process changes the molecular structure of the alloy and 
significantly weakens it.  May or may not be significant in normal 
street-use, but I wouldn't do it on one of my cars.  IMO, polishing and/or 
clear-coating is more in character with the car, anyway, and polishing 
might be less expensive on those particular wheels.

As an aside, SCUBA divers have been killed by plating aluminum air tanks, 
which burst under pressure, if you'd like to use that example as 
evidence.  Any metallurgists on the Digest?

Regards,

Dean
Lutz, FL
'74 & '87 Spider Veloce's


At 02:38 PM 5/16/2003, you wrote:

> Date: Fri, 16 May 2003 06:41:10 -0600
> From: "C.M. Bereznoff" <cmbereznoff@domain.elided>
> Subject: chrome factory alloys
>
> I have been considering having my 93 spider alloys chrome plated.
> Has anyone had experience with chrome plating factory "phone dial" alloys?
> Any photos of these after completion?
> Craig Bereznoff
> 93 Spider Veloce  07821
> Longmont. Colorado USA
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