I need some help guys, I know this should probably be in the tire/wheel section but most people don't go over there that much. I'm looking to buy some new rims over the fall/winter to break out for Spring 06. In my research I've seen prices from $500 to $2500+ for 18+ chrome wheels, all offering a 1 year warranty. From my understanding there is a standard process for chroming wheels: bare metal, copper layer, nickel layer, then chrome layer better known as triple chrome plating. Outside of lighter rims(weight) what is the difference in $500 rims and the $2500 rims? Is it better to have aluminum wheels are steel wheels? I was told by a wheel vendor here in B'more that prices have come down dramatically over the past couple of years because most of the wheels now are made in China(low labor), that companies like Lowenhart and giovanni's are charging you more for the there name. He stated that all wheels are made from aluminum are steel and the process for chrome plating is the same. He stated that the only thing that could factor in price is the experience of the person who is doing the chrome plating; the person has to add the correct amount of voltage to the wheel for the chrome to stick; too much voltage and the chrome gets burnt in, too little and the nickel layer shows through even though they can polish it out. He said most manufactures don't do this anymore, it's still done if someone is doing a set of custom wheels but if the wheel is in mass production it's done on a factory line. Was what I told correct? Help me out guys, I don't want to purchase some rims and the chrome starts flaking off 2 years from now.

 

Virtually all wheels are chromed with the same process. Name recognition and weight(forged,cast etc)plays the biggest part in the price of wheels in todays market. From my experience being the wheel tech here at falken is we get alot of wheel problems from people driving here in the snow where they put salt in the road etc and from beach cities where there is salt in the air. To be honest thats chromes number one enemy.

 

Thanks for the info. Whats the difference between forged and cast and which is better? I was told about the effect salt has on chrome.

 

In short: the advantage of forging is that it improves the strength of the metal by aligning and stretching the grain structure. A forged part will normally be stronger than a casting or a machined piece...

 

Thanks for the help.