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How to avoid plated wheels peeling quickly (black nickel plating + lacquer clear coat)

September 29, 2011

Dear all

First off let me start by saying that I don't work in the industry and have very VERY basic understanding of electroplating in general.

I am interested in plating my cars ALUMINUM rims black chrome (And hell bent on the idea too). I live in the UAE so the weather is quite hot and unfriendly to delicate materials.

Now the shop that specialized in chrome/electroplating plating do not recommend black chrome plating my cars rims because they say that the lacquer wears (and the nickel soon after) off very quickly (within a week) due to heat and being exposed to the harsh climate. I know this isn't true, as shops in the states do it all the time, and its probably just an inferior electroplating process instead. Now I'm working with this shop in order to find a way to improve their process. So I was wondering if you guys could help any. Their basic steps are polishing, buffing and prepping the wheel for electroplating, followed by nickel plating and then a clear coat or two of lacquer (I've assumed powder coated). Then the Material is baked and left to cure.

Now I know every single aspect of the process affects the outcome and with what little info I provided it won't help enough , but I was wondering if there was any special techniques, types of nickel, or curing periods that should be observed in order for the plating to harden and adhere to the rim to the point were it doesn't deteriorate as quickly.

I know this quite a vague post and a lot of additional info is required for you guys to answer, but any questions you need answered in order to help out, I can always ask and find out from the technical team at the shop and get back to you asap. I really need your helps as the guys at the shop don't seem to have a clue on how to improve their black chrome plating technique (for rims).

Just a bit of of info on the shop, they have been electroplating for over 30 years and its their forte, they are probably the best shop here, its just that their forte isn't wheels (but they have done a number of em)

Naif Khoury
Hobbyist - Dubai, UAE

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So after spending a bit more time on this site and doing some research, I found out that most people DO NOT recommend nickel plating + lacquer as a suitable plating method for rims.

So as a follow up, is real black chrome/chromium, the same process as regular bright chrome, but with a different chrome bath solution ? I'm looking for a very high lustrous finish and sometimes from the description of black chrome that is made for solar panels or optical instruments it sounds like the finish isn't lustrous at all.

To achieve a lustrous finish and in general, is black chrome plating still: 1.buff/prep-2.copper plate-3.polish- 4.semi-bright nickel plating- 5.bright nickel plating - 6.microporous nickel plating followed by 7.the black chrome bath and 8.oiling and shining?

Now from what I understand there is another method of achieving the black chrome look and that is sputter disposition, a type of physical vapor disposition applied in a vacuum chamber followed by a coating of electro statically charged clear coat, then its baked and cured to achieve a solid coating.

Apparently this type of process/method is more durable than conventional chrome plating (for car wheels). Does anyone know if this is indeed a better solution? I'm hearing conflicting info on the durability of black chrome plating on wheels. I'm not sure what exactly PVD is, and where or not its available here (prob not). I have no idea what the of metal film they use either to achieve the black chrome look.

Naif Khoury
- Dubai UAE
September 30, 2011

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Q. I have chrome rims on a car I just bought and while sanding the chrome to scuff it for paint I noticed the nickel is way better. Can I sand off the chrome and buff out the slight scratches and then clear coat the wheel with an auto specific paint

Brian Holmes
- Littleton, Colorado
February 14, 2012