Fine Scratches on Chrome Plating

[Too Stroked]

A few of us here have some problems (usually on wheels) with fine scratches on chrome plating. I polished the wheels on my truck yesterday and was trying out a new camera, so I figured I?d try to get some shots of the problem to share with everyone. Then maybe we can figure out a solution for the issue together.

First, here?s a shot of my 6 year old American Racing aftermarket 20? wheels. This first shot is in the shade and the wheels look pretty good right?



Now here?s a similar shot on the other side of the truck in the sun. Starting to notice the fine scratches?



Now for a close-up. This one really shows the problem.




I think the main culprit here was the simply awful OEM front brake pads that graced my 2005 F-150 for the first 20,000 miles. They dusted like crazy and as you might guess, brake dust is abrasive. Throw in lots of washing in an attempt to keep them clean ? and regular tire rotations ? and you have a recipe for disaster. Making matters somewhat worse is the fact that chrome plating is just that ? a plated surface. It has a limited thickness and even that varies due to high and low current density areas caused by the geometry of the wheel. So any correction work is going to remove what is already a pretty thin (but hard) coating.

So, any ideas on what one should do in this situation?

[Tdub]

Tom, are you utilizing the two bucket????  

Sorry, couldn't resist!  

I too have often wondered how you correct this problem.  I've noticed it on my jet boat trailer wheels that are chrome and on my Lightning (even though the chrome plating isn't too good anymore).

[Too Stroked]

Yupper on the two buckets. That brake dust is just nasty stuff though. I guess if it wasn't we'd be sailing through intersections with both feet on the brakes! I rellay want to see if there's anything that can be done to correct / reduce them. 

[Truckguy24]

Hoping we can figure something out 

[Too Stroked]

So nobody's got any ideas. Steve, Justin, your thoughts?

[Poorboy]

well as you stated , chrome is just a plating and at this point, you can only keep them clean and polished. Once chromes scratches, thins, or pits, there is no reversal. I would throw a few coats of Wheel Sealant on it and be gentle unless you are ready to replace or re-chrome.

sorry i haven't been around ... this has just been a crazy Spring so far

[Too Stroked]

well as you stated , chrome is just a plating and at this point, you can only keep them clean and polished. Once chromes scratches, thins, or pits, there is no reversal. I would throw a few coats of Wheel Sealant on it and be gentle unless you are ready to replace or re-chrome.

sorry i haven't been around ... this has just been a crazy Spring so far

Bummer, no correction huh?

[Obsessive Detail]

I've been able to get fine scratches out of chrome with something like a Powerball and a metal polish like my Metal Rx or Optimum Metal polish.  It is hard to completely remove scratches frome chrome.

[Too Stroked]

I've been able to get fine scratches out of chrome with something like a Powerball and a metal polish like my Metal Rx or Optimum Metal polish.  It is hard to completely remove scratches frome chrome.

Thanks Justin. I'm going to try that the next time I pull a wheel off.

[BigSur]

x2......I use a Power Cone and Optimum Metal Polish on mine.  It will remove "some" imperfections, but all depends on how agressive you get.  Me personally, I just go over them very lightly to remove discoloration/oxidation....not so much into removing scratches.  I try to be as easy as possible b/c I'm already seeing where the thin spots are