Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


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What Are the Steps in Chrome Rim Manufacturing?

I am doing a project on chrome rims, I was wanting to know the process that the manufacturers have to go through to make them. All the layers, what types of metals are used etc.

Thank you,

Angie M.
Student - Adelaide, SA, Australia
2003

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2003

Older cars, and less expensive cars, usually have stamped steel rims. Newer and fancier cars usually have pressure cast aluminum wheels with fancy spoke shapes. Either can be chrome plated.

There are variations in the plating process, but one sequence for aluminum wheels could be: clean the rim in hot inhibited caustic, rinse, desmut in nitric acid, rinse, zincate, strip in nitric acid, rinse, re-zincate, rinse, electroless nickel plate, rinse, acid copper plate, rinse, buff, caustic clean, rinse, activate in sulfuric acid, rinse, semi-bright nickel plate, bright nickel plate, rinse, chromium plate, rinse, dry.

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

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I am a student from the University of Technology, Malaysia. Now, I am doing an assignment about the making of spoke rim. But I am facing a a lot of problem in obtaining the information I need in order to accomplish my assignment. I hope that your company can be able to send me some information which is related to the making of car spoke rims. Information can be sent to me by either email or post. If it is possible I hope that you can send the related information in post. Below is my postal address:

15, Jalan Pulai 82, Taman Pulai Utama,
81310 Skudai, Johor Darul Takzim, Malaysia.

I hope that you will give my request a thorough consideration. All the things that you do for me will be deeply appreciated. Thank you.

Gk Yeoh
- Johor Darul Takzim, Malaysia.
2005