Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Chrome touch up for repairing some peeling

I have some Chrome plated wire wheels for an English sportscar that I am restoring. The wheels are original and in good shape but have some relatively small areas of chrome peeling on a couple of them. The peeling isn't large but is in places easily seen. Due to the cost of the restoration, I want to avoid buying new wheels for a year or so and would like to touch up the chrome if possible. I have investigated getting the wheels rechromed but the cost is as much as new wheels and they would not look the same as the other two wheels. The steel or possibly nickel under the chrome that peeled is corrosion free and looks very good. Can I do a brush chrome touch up and if so, how do I test to see if the bright metal now showing is steel or chrome?

Dan Buckley
Car Hobbyist - Shrewsbury, VT, USA
2006

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The only resolution is new wheels or having them replated, I think. I doubt that a brush chroming touch-up would prove more cost effective. You could perhaps minimize ongoing damage, while having the damaged area stand out a little less, by applying a paint called Bumper Chrome Paint [affil links] --but it's only cheap silvery colored spray paint, it's not replating by any stretch.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2006