Blog Post

THE IN’S AND OUT’S OF CHROME RIMS

Chrome Rims. A love / hate relationship. In my opinion chrome looks great on anything, but in this day and age of reducing weight by any means possible, we end up with problems in a relatively short time. We have chrome trim that is essentially a piece of plastic with a thin chrome covering and aluminum wheels that have a very thin layer of chrome attached to the surface. All is good and well while new, but get a few miles of use and changes start to occur.

In this article I am focusing on rims. Anything that can chip the chrome will allow contaminants, such as salt and road chemicals, to get under the layer of chrome and the chrome will start to lift due to oxidation of the aluminum.

Chrome wheels that keep losing air are most likely to have oxidation/corrosion at the bead sealing area and/or the valve stem area. ‘Pound on’ wheel weights have a coating on the weight to protect aluminum rims but the problem is the clip that is pounded on the rim is not and definitely will scrape the surface open. This is why tape-on weights are more common. You might think that if you start with tape-on weights you shouldn’t have any issues later on, but you would be mistaken. The tire itself can cause the surface to be damaged by debris being lodged between the rim and tire bead. Damage can be caused by rock damage (the little pea sized rock on pavement) and hitting curbs.

Did you know that in order to put chrome on aluminum surfaces, the surface has to be dipped in an alkaline solution of zinc which if done correctly produces a surface that can be plated? Otherwise, the aluminum will oxidize immediately. Then the plating is installed in thin layers of nickel and copper, with a final layer of very thin chrome plating.

Wheels with damage to the bead sealing areas will need to have the chrome completely removed and the surface sealed to repair the air leaks. However, this is just a “temporary” fix and tire pressures have to be monitored continuously. The best solution is to have the rims re-chromed or replaced. Both of these options are very expensive.

I love the look of chrome rims, just not the upkeep.

Alternator Replacement

Nobody plans for their car to stop working. No doubt it’s an inconvenience when an alternator replacement is suddenly necessary. Big questions loom, like how long it’ll take to do an alternator replacement, and how much the job will end up costing.

Auto Air Conditioning Repair

Dealing with auto air conditioning repair brings about a few different problems. The heat outside can get pretty intense, making you incredibly uncomfortable whenever you go anywhere in your car. On top of that, the worry about how much an auto air conditioning repair will end up costing is stressful.

Auto Electrical

Most people realize that owning a car means some maintenance and repairs, but auto electrical service can add an unexpected level of stress to the experience. Vehicle owners often wonder how long such problems will take to resolve, and just as important how much it’ll end up costing.

Brake Repair

Any brake repair work should be taken seriously and performed with care. After all, you have a lot riding on your brakes every time you press down on the pedal. At the same time, we at Earl's Repair Lt. Truck & Auto understand you might be concerned with how long a brake repair job will take and cost. One of our main objectives is to make the process painless, delivering superior customer service to make you a repeat customer.

Diesel Repair

Many shops don’t understand the specialized nature of diesel repair. It’s a different process than working on gas-powered vehicles, with plenty of unique considerations that must be taken into account. At Earl's Repair Lt. Truck & Auto, we understand the importance of your diesel vehicle. You want diesel repairs or maintenance performed correctly the first time.

Emission Repair

No one anticipates needing an emission repair, but the time does come. Instead of worrying about what it means, trust the professionals to resolve the problem quickly and completely.

At Earl's Repair Lt. Truck & Auto we understand that car trouble, including a necessary emission repair, can create some stress. That’s why we work hard to make your customer experience second to none. Our goal is to ensure you’re so pleased that you keep coming back to us.

Engine Repair

Dealing with engine repair issues can be stressful. You cannot use your vehicle, your ability to get around is limited, and you’re left wondering how big the final bill will be. At Earl's Repair Lt. Truck & Auto we completely understand your concerns. Along with our engine repair expertise, we provide excellent customer service. In fact, we measure our success by whether or not you want to return to us for future maintenance and repairs. READ MORE

Oil Change

Every vehicle needs an oil change service at regular intervals, or else some pretty big problems can crop up over time. Dirty oil will slowly wear away at different engine components, even leading to complete failure. Take the time to guard against a huge bill.

Transmission Repair

Dealing with a transmission repair can be stressful and potentially expensive. It’s a critical part of any car, because without the transmission working properly you literally won’t get very far.

Earl's Repair Lt. Truck & Auto understands your automotive needs. That’s why we work hard to do more than just fix your vehicle, providing you with the best customer service around. Our goal is to make every one of our customers happy, then see them again for future car maintenance and repairs.

Truck Repair

Your truck works hard just like you, so having it out of commission simply isn’t an option. Not only does an ailing truck limit how you get around, but it keeps you from tackling tough jobs. On top of it all, the stress of wondering what’s wrong, along with what your truck repairs will cost, hangs over your head. READ MORE

Wheel Alignment

If you’re driving down I-35, do you feel like you’re in control of your vehicle? Are you fighting the steering wheel to hold your car straight in its lane? Or is your steering loose, causing you to wander between lane markers? You probably need a wheel alignment.