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world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


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How can one preserve their chrome rims in Aruba?

Question can anyone help me I brought some chrome rims for my f150 pick up last year. I paid well over 1500 dollars. the car is located in Aruba, its parked at our vacation home there which is not far from the beach. the chrome has started to bubble up and looks horrible, my brother in law said he could sand blast them and paint them silver since keeping the chrome will not stand up to the harsh salty climate. any suggestion on what I can do to maintain chrome in such an environment..

Joe violenus
hobbyist - NYC, New York & Aruba
2003

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I'll bet that F150 has chrome bumpers and that they are holding up just fine. Right? The problem isn't chrome plating, it's that aluminum alloy wheels are very difficult to chrome plate right, because of the nature of the aluminum pressure casting, and even some major manufacturers don't do it well. The problem isn't the environment, it's poor plating, and nothing you do will keep the plating from bubbling. Sorry. Try your best to get your money back.

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

thanks for the info

Joe violenus
hobbyist - NYC, New York & Aruba
June 6, 2009

adv.