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Chrome pitting and what to do when storing chrome wheels

I have pitting of my chrome wheels that I noticed when getting it out this summer. I store my 65 mustang each winter, it has never sees snow and rain only when I get caught out in it. I store it with a cover on and I notice certain portions of the wheel were worse than others. Where I store it is dry but unheated in a NW Ohio location. Does the cover cause a problem since it covers approx. 55% of the rim? What can I put on the rims when storing to protect the rims?

David Bishop
Engineering - Perrysburg, Ohio
2003

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I WORK FOR A CUSTOM WHEEL DISTRIBUTION CENTER IN THE UPPER MIDWEST AND I SEE THIS PROBLEM ALL OF THE TIME. UN FORTUNATELY THERE IS NOT A WHEEL MANUFACTURER AROUND THAT WOULD COVER A PITTED WHEEL UNDER THEIR WARRANTY AS IT IS NOT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT BUT RATHER A RESULT OF IMPROPER MAINTENANCE.
WHEN STORING YOUR WHEELS, YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ACTUALLY WIPE DOWN THE WHEELS AND NOT JUST SPRAY THEM OFF WITH WATER AS THERE IS STILL A FILM OF DIRT THAT CAN REMAIN ON THE WHEELS. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF VARIABLES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO PITTED WHEELS, FOR EXAMPLE BRAKE DUST, SALT, DUST/ DIRT, ICE/SNOW MELTING CHEMICALS, WAX (CHROME WHEELS NEED TO BREATHE), NEVER WASH YOUR WHEELS WHILE THEY ARE STILL HOT FROM DRIVING AS THEY COULD WARP AND PIT, AND RUNNING THE WHEELS THROUGH THE WINTER IN CERTAIN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY.

MATT VICTOR
- SAINT PAUL, Minnesota
2006

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Thanks for the feedback, Matt, but even with it, I'm not sure that I understand what you feel comprises 'improper maintenance'. Should David cover his wheels or should he not? That seems to be the question he is asking. Are chrome wheels only for fair weather? That seems to be what you are implying. Should one NOT wax wheels because it prevents 'breathing'? You also seem to be saying that.

I certainly can't disagree with you that improper maintenance actions can lead to pitting, but neither can I agree that pitting is always caused by owner action rather than manufacturing defect. Peeling is ALWAYS caused by manufacturing defect, yet these pages are full of examples of manufacturers trying to blame it on exposure conditions and the owner :-)

In all, chrome plated pressure cast aluminum wheels seem to not be a robust product, despite the robustness of chrome plating in so many other applications, including chrome bumpers and automotive brightwork. We who have been in the chrome plating industry for decades somewhat resent wheel manufacturers applying chrome plating to their product if it is not going to be robust and their doing so gives chrome plating a reputation as being hypersensitive. I guess the truth is that pressure cast wheels are a low quality product? They seem to be very prone to pitting no matter what finish is applied, including chrome plating. Thanks again.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2006

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