Salt Pitting on Chrome Wheels

[dhgasman55]

Hello All,

Due to a confluence of really crappy circumstances I had to move the 'Hawk a couple times during January of 2008. I knew there was salt on the road, but couldn't avoid it.

I didn't the opportunity to wash the stuff off immediately and there is a little bit of salt-pitting on some of the wheels. They still look good, but it drives me crazy.

I would appreciate any suggestions any of you might have for polishing this out, resurfacing? Or do they need to be rechromed?

Thanks!!

[s.reef]

I dont think there is much you can do...but dont quote me on that lol. Um if anyone has any pointers let me know too my are doing the same thing

[Lucky SOB]

ive used 000 steel wool on bumpers and stuff, it might work on your wheels too, idk how bad they are tho.

[steddy]

That pitting comes from the aluminum being oxidized (aluminum version of rust). I've always had the impression that when that happens, the only way to truly take them back to the way they were was to have them stripped down, cleaned up and re-chromed. The pitting that you're seeing is from the electrolysis that occurs from the salt, water and aluminum.

Of course, I've been reading the LT1 rebuild thread this morning, so I may be a little more tuned to the "tear it all down and do it right" frame of mind. I just don't think it's a good idea to scrub the chrome, due to the "air gaps" that are already there. It may make it worse, in the long run. Chrome is essentially nickle that has a glaze that gives it that shiny appearance. Scrubbing will take that off and take away the gleam, then with the oxidation, well, you get the domino effect happening here. Alons with that, if you scrub them and say next winter, you are in the same situation, the pitting will be worse, due to more area being available for the electrolysis.

[PWND3r]

There is no way to restore it. You can polish them to try to clean it up. But you are not going to get rid of it. Taking 00 Grade steel wool will do nothing but make it worse. You're going to have to strip it and get them re-chromed, powdercoated, etc.

[dhgasman55]

I thought so

There is no way to restore it. You can polish them to try to clean it up. But you are not going to get rid of it. Taking 00 Grade steel wool will do nothing but make it worse. You're going to have to strip it and get them re-chromed, powdercoated, etc.

I thought so. I sort of knew the mechanism/ chemistry of what happened, I was just hoping there was something else to do about it.

Well, that brings me to the next question: Does anyone suggest a particular rechromer that they would take theirs to? (am I allowed to ask that? If not- Sorry!)

Thanks for the info.!!

Dave

[Derek]

got any pics of the pitting? I find it hard to believe yours could be that bad just taking the car out a couple times. I drove my old firebird in the winter as a daily driver and those chrome wheels never pitted. I have heard of horror stories with firehawk wheels flaking/pitting very fast, maybe they were done at a lower quality?

[steddy]

I thought so. I sort of knew the mechanism/ chemistry of what happened, I was just hoping there was something else to do about it.

Well, that brings me to the next question: Does anyone suggest a particular rechromer that they would take theirs to? (am I allowed to ask that? If not- Sorry!)

Thanks for the info.!!

Dave

Believe me, I wasn't insulting your intelligence. I just felt in order to fully explain, I'd bring up what goes on with it. I've heard of guys with iron blocks running aluminum heads that are just devastated after blowing a head gasket because of the electrolysis. My apologies if you took it wrong. Wasn't intended.

Unfortunately, I don't have a chrome shop that I know of, but I have heard around the east Detroit side, there are several.

[white96TA]

i am going to try to use neverdull to bring back the chrome on my motorcycle imo its worth a try at $5, i had a product that for shure helped made it look very nice but i ran out and it was an old product so i cant get it anymore

[dhgasman55]

No offense at all

Believe me, I wasn't insulting your intelligence. I just felt in order to fully explain, I'd bring up what goes on with it. I've heard of guys with iron blocks running aluminum heads that are just devastated after blowing a head gasket because of the electrolysis. My apologies if you took it wrong. Wasn't intended.

Unfortunately, I don't have a chrome shop that I know of, but I have heard around the east Detroit side, there are several.

No, no my friend. I didn't take any offense at all, in fact I appreciated the review. If anything my response may have been less cordial than it could have been.

Yeah, I thought I've seen some specialty wheel shop towards Farmington, or Royal Oak, Southfield, something like that does replating, etc., but I can't seem to come up with the name,- "Restock Wheels??", or something like that, but I just can't remember right now.

Well, thanks for info. I'll search out some shops out in the area you suggest too.

Thanks Again!

Dave

[dhgasman55]

Salt, not just winter?

got any pics of the pitting? I find it hard to believe yours could be that bad just taking the car out a couple times. I drove my old firebird in the winter as a daily driver and those chrome wheels never pitted. I have heard of horror stories with firehawk wheels flaking/pitting very fast, maybe they were done at a lower quality?

I'll have the car out this weekend, so I'll try to get some decent pics of the wheels.

So far we have been thinking that it was specifically the fact that salt was on the road, not just slush, snow and water and that's what caused the problem.
The circumstances were such at the time that I couldn't even quickly wipe them off, let alone spray the stuff off. In fact I couldn't even try to do anything about it until early May of last year.

You're right, it's not that terrible, from any distance at all it's really not noticeable, but I know it's there and (you'll see) my Wife Suzy knows it's there and it's making her especially nuts, and me less so.

I've heard stuff about plating quality with those wheels too, maybe that's what the issue really is.

Thanks!!

Dave

[Lucky SOB]

The chrome shop we use at work is called Fini Finish

It's i Warren i believe

south of 9 mile on mound i believe

here is their number...

586.758.0050

[dhgasman55]

Thanks!!!

The chrome shop we use at work is called Fini Finish

It's i Warren i believe

south of 9 mile on mound i believe

here is their number...

586.758.0050

Thanks Very Much! I'll check them out.

Dave