Discoloring on wheels....please advice!!

[mig1980]

Hi there everyone. I have a friend that just bought a set of 22" wheels for his X5 as well. I noticed one of his wheels (chrome) is showing some goldish in the center. I had never seen that before. What could be causing that and is it fixable?Any input would help him out.

Thanks.

[motordavid]

Hard to diagnose without a pic, but my guess is some of the final
chromium coat has worn or come off and you are seeing the
copper or nickel base sub-coat. Jes' a guess from the back row.

[mig1980]

I will take some pictures and post. Any further advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[mig1980]

Here is a picture of the discoloring around the center cap.

[motordavid]

Pretty fuzzy pic, but as I suggested in my first response it looks like
classic "thin chrome"/lack of adhesion of the chrome layer on
the nickel substrate layer, common around "openings", such as
that wheel hub hole. Effect is that yellowing/browning of the
nickel, (sometimes copper), sub layer "showing through".

Could be a result of any goofed up steps in the chroming process,
which in itself, is very complex and requires careful monitoring of
surface prep, baths, anodes, etc.

If they are new wheels and came chromed, I'd have your friend
complain to the seller; if he got them chromed, ask the plater,
but good luck on getting them redone: not a fun job and the
plater will not want to touch them. Most chrome jobs come
with a "year" guarantee, but if it's a local plater, it may be a
tough negotiation.
GL,mD

[mig1980]

I agree motordavid that it is a fuzzy pic but I didn't have anything here at work other than my camera phone to take the picture. I will explain to him and see what he wants to do. Thanks for the advise.

Originally Posted by motordavid

Pretty fuzzy pic, but as I suggested in my first response it looks like
classic "thin chrome"/lack of adhesion of the chrome layer on
the nickel substrate layer, common around "openings", such as
that wheel hub hole. Effect is that yellowing/browning of the
nickel, (sometimes copper), sub layer "showing through".

Could be a result of any goofed up steps in the chroming process,
which in itself, is very complex and requires careful monitoring of
surface prep, baths, anodes, etc.

If they are new wheels and came chromed, I'd have your friend
complain to the seller; if he got them chromed, ask the plater,
but good luck on getting them redone: not a fun job and the
plater will not want to touch them. Most chrome jobs come
with a "year" guarantee, but if it's a local plater, it may be a
tough negotiation.
GL,mD