Some help with chrome wheels please

J

JRD

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I bought these wheels brand new in spring of 2008. They never see winter weather, and are washed once a week. I was going to polish them up today so they are all clean for spring, when I noticed what looks to be pitting. I have not noticed this before, the sunlight just happened to catch them right. I dont know enough about chrome to know if this is pitting or something else. If it is it may be a warranty issue. Or is there anyway to remove most of it?

Also you cannot feel this with your hands. Thanks for any feedback. :xyxthumbs:
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They are not that noticeable if the wheel is vertical, or as it would be when mounted on the truck.

And just for good measure, the truck they go on.
0507091933.jpg


Thanks again.
 
if pitting is it surely a warranty issue. I would wash with Griots Chrome Wheel Cleaner, polish with Blu-job, and then coat with DP Wheel Glaze. While it wont remove pitting it should clean well. Maybe try a little claying before polishing to see if overspray on wheel ??
 
I tried just one spot with mothers chrome polish and powerball mini. If anything it seemed to make the pitting more noticeable.

I used Meguiars chrome wheel cleaner this afternoon when I washed them before taking the photos.

Is the Blu-job a polish......I will look it up after I post....

:buffing:

Also I did not clay yet. I could not feel anything when rubbing my hand gently over the surface, and I only tried to polish one small area. I will try claying and post back here shortly.
 
Thanks for the link killer....I just went out and tried some clay....no luck there.
 
any luck with a polish , the pics almost look like speckles in the chrome. Pitting is often felt and takes on a ragged look.
 
killrwheels@autogeek said:
any luck with a polish , the pics almost look like speckles in the chrome. Pitting is often felt and takes on a ragged look.
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The only chrome polish I have is Mothers Chrome Polish that I applied with the Powerball Mini 3 or 4 times and the only thing it seemed to do was make the speckels "pop", so to speak. I have some paint correction polishes but unless someone has used them with success on chrome, I am not going to try them.
 
the problem with chrome is that water, brake dust, and even some acid based wheel cleaners can etch it rather easily.

While I have found polishing chrome to be easier than my Uncoated Aluminum Wheels, you cannot repair pitting generally just stop further effects. I have tried to locate a pic of pitting as commonly little pockets but your pic "could" suggest the starting point. Hopefully someone else will chime in ...
 
While I can't help with the problem, I do have a suggestion.
Go back to where you purchased the wheels and have them look at the problem.
The more you mess with them, the more reasons they have to say it is something you did.
I don't know anything about aftermarket wheel warranties, but you are not likely tp get much satisfaction after a year an a half. I would at least check.

Another concern I would have.
If they did replace them, will the replacement wheels do the same thing?
 
I have spoke to the place where I purchased them, and sent them the pics also. Obviously he cannot commit one way or another from pictures, but he hopefully will be able to tell me if it is worth the trouble of dismounting them, and sending them back. (I did not buy them locally). So we will see what happens.

If they are replaced hopefully they wont do that again. If not replaced hopefully I can remove or hide a little of it, and prevent it from getting worse.
 
That doesn't look like pitting, that actually looks like something in the chrome itself, like flakes. You cleaning them up and polishing etc and saying it makes it more noticeable is just as if you were to prep/polish/wax paint to bring out the metallic flakes in certain colors.
 
Update:

I spoke with the place I purchased them from, and from the pictures, they think there is a problem there and it would be worth sending them in for warranty.

The only drawback is I have to get them dismounted and ship them.

I hope these are flawed and that I am not just out of some money for shipping and what not.

I do not know enough about chrome to say what I think may be wrong with them. I dont want to try to polish them much more so that way they dont have a reason to not warranty them.

If anyone else has anything to share please post. Thanks again. :xyxthumbs:
 
I would email some pictures to the manufacturer of the wheel to see if they will be able to warranty the wheels before paying to dismount the tires and paying for the shipping.
 
Peanut said:
I would email some pictures to the manufacturer of the wheel to see if they will be able to warranty the wheels before paying to dismount the tires and paying for the shipping.
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That is probably a good idea also. I cant and dont expect anyone to give a guarantee from photos though. However it would be nice if I could get a response that was a little more "official".
 
The milky discoloration in the first photo is somewhat bothersome. I'm leaning towards the chrome coat is just too thin, and you may be seeing nickel or copper blooming through.

Forgive me for suggesting, but given the amount of weight on the wheel in the second photo, and what looks like chrome lifting behind the spokes, you've very likely got a marginal chrome job on a wheel that's not too high on the quality scale itself (though the weight issue can also be tire-related).

Perhaps send one wheel for an evaluation and see how it goes.
 
Jim D. said:
The milky discoloration in the first photo is somewhat bothersome. I'm leaning towards the chrome coat is just too thin, and you may be seeing nickel or copper blooming through.

Forgive me for suggesting, but given the amount of weight on the wheel in the second photo, and what looks like chrome lifting behind the spokes, you've very likely got a marginal chrome job on a wheel that's not too high on the quality scale itself (though the weight issue can also be tire-related).

Perhaps send one wheel for an evaluation and see how it goes.
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I was thinking about just sending one. Im not sure I see the chrome lifting behind the spokes? The second photo does have to water drops on it though. I had washed them prior to taking the photos.

The backside of the wheels seems to look normal, some tar stuck to them in a few spots but other than that, they clean up easy. :dunno:
 
killrwheels@autogeek said:
if pitting is it surely a warranty issue. I would wash with Griots Chrome Wheel Cleaner, polish with Blu-job, and then coat with DP Wheel Glaze. While it wont remove pitting it should clean well. Maybe try a little claying before polishing to see if overspray on wheel ??
Click to expand...
Agree
My moms Status Rims did this Good Roads had to replace them twice. If you cant remove it i would see if you can get a new set
 
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