Originally Posted by ABN_CBT_ENGR
Originally Posted by Jarlaxle
Doesn't seem to be one.
The wheel repair guy even noted that-it's NOT a traditional plating process.
The finish is flaking off like paint in spots. No cracking, just flaking off.
I don't know what your guy is looking at or if he is qualified to evaluate plating from a technical perspective but I suspected there might be a problem with the actual process thus my qualifier about my working assumption of it being properly done.
If we assume the chrome plate is proper for the application then comes the process. Not entirely different than hot tank bluing and cold bluing.
You have acid plating and electroless plating. ( one green the other not)
That alone could be the alpha and omega right there because it is the weaker of the two by orders of magnitude and they usually peel like a snake shedding skin.
What leads me to believe that may not be the entire thing in your case is the lifespan they already have unless this problem has been there a while and just not got to the point you were fed up with it. Usually the weaker plating fail quicker but that's subjective. Its the 'spotting" that makes me believe that stressors and separation might be the most likely failure mechanism at the moment.
Just a guess and I'm sorry its happening.
He repairs and refinishes wheels for a living. The end of your post might as well be Swahili for all that I understand it.
Originally Posted by OVERKILL
Originally Posted by Jarlaxle
OE 20" forged SRT wheels. (One dismounted had the Chrysler PN on it.) As I said, VERY common problem.
I had the ones pictured on my Magnum, and they corroded horribly. First set was bad enough they were replaced at div>
What were you washing them with?!!!!
The above wheels were at least 10 years old when that pic was taken.
Only alloy wheels I ever had corrosion problems on were the OE ones on our 2002 Expedition, there was some slight flaking of the clear coat in spots, but this was a vehicle driven year-round in plenty of road salt and those wheels still look pretty decent (they are on my dad's 2000 Expedition now).
Sucks to hear about the SRT wheels, any chance you could find a set of non-chromed ones that you like the look of that you could swap in their stead? I had the super shiny (I assume similar process) ones on my 2014, but didn't own the car long enough to gauge the durability of the coating.
I washed them with Simple Green. There was a very bad run of wheels, I expect my replacements were from the same batch.
Originally Posted by Lolvoguy
Originally Posted by OVERKILL
What were you washing them with?!!!!
The above wheels were at least 10 years old when that pic was taken.
I agree, OP still hasn't answered us yet on that question.
My guess is some sort of high-strength wheel cleaner/abrasive brush/high pressure washer (or a combination of those).
For comparison sake, I purchased a new set of Lexus F sport wheels two years ago.
When washing, I only use a constant stream of warm car wash soapy solution dispensed from a spray bottle, and a soft brush.
As a result, they still look like new.
I haven't washed them with anything but water...I have owned the car for five weeks.
This has nothing to do with washing.the wheel finish is just inferior.