llysgennad
llysgennad HalfDork
6/18/24 12:08 p.m.

Stellantis is dropping chrome due to health and environmental concerns.

business insider article

I like some chrome, so I'm slightly disappointed, but I applaud the initiative. I've been in plating shops, and it can be worrisome, to say the least.

I'm not a fan of blacked-out vehicles, though. Especially wheels.

Thoughts?

 

MadScientistMatt
MadScientistMatt UltimaDork
6/18/24 12:31 p.m.

I'd like to see more brushed nickel or bronze finished accents myself. Chrome doesn't always seem to fit new car aesthetics.

That said, I hope there are still options for restoring older cars.

Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
6/18/24 12:54 p.m.

I don't mind black wheels, but, if you are going to go that route, stick with a simple design.

There's no point in having a black wheel that's more complex than something like a TE37, you just aren't going to see the details very well–at speed or standing still.

I will say that I'm increasingly drawn to diamond cut-style wheels, though shades like the nickel and bronze mentioned above have always been a favorite.

SV reX
SV reX MegaDork
6/18/24 12:59 p.m.

It's really a problem for those of us who spend energy restoring older cars. 

alfadriver
alfadriver MegaDork
6/18/24 1:06 p.m.

In reply to SV reX :

Only if it does result in private platers totally quitting.  This is just an OEM deciding to not plate things- which is fine.

SV reX
SV reX MegaDork
6/18/24 1:08 p.m.

In reply to alfadriver :

Fair enough. 
 

But there are very few private platers anymore either. 

barefootcyborg5000
barefootcyborg5000 UltimaDork
6/18/24 1:19 p.m.

Wait, do I like Stellantis now?

 

Death to chrome on anything post 1980. 
But also, black wheels are terrible 95% of the time. 

alfadriver
alfadriver MegaDork
6/18/24 1:38 p.m.

In reply to SV reX :

They have been doing that for decades.  

For anyone looking for something creative that helps the world and will make money- help the chrome industry deal with it's waste better.  I've heard of some confusing things about it- especially leaving chrome suspended in some matrix and mining more of it.

llysgennad
llysgennad HalfDork
6/18/24 1:43 p.m.

I really like the look of Nickel-plating. Almost like chrome, but just...different.

slantvaliant (Forum Supporter)
slantvaliant (Forum Supporter) UltraDork
6/18/24 6:06 p.m.

That reminds me:  I need to find some not-dark wheels for my 300, or modify the current wheels.  Even a polished lip and a bright center cap would help the look.  

 

03Panther
03Panther PowerDork
6/18/24 7:41 p.m.

There's an old sayin' from my wilder days 

"chrome won't bring ya home!"

There was a popular response, as well blush

Floating Doc (Forum Supporter)
Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
6/18/24 7:46 p.m.

I'm not worried, I use Firefox.

 

Oh, wait...

03Panther
03Panther PowerDork
6/18/24 7:49 p.m.

In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :

Ha! My mind went there, too!

NickD
NickD MegaDork
6/18/24 8:05 p.m.

wearymicrobe
wearymicrobe PowerDork
6/18/24 9:52 p.m.

They are still using real chrome at the oem level. I thought it was all water based chroming now because it sticks to plastic and darn near everything else. 

03Panther
03Panther PowerDork
6/18/24 10:20 p.m.

In reply to NickD :

yes

03Panther
03Panther PowerDork
6/18/24 10:20 p.m.

In reply to NickD :

yes

Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter)
Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
6/19/24 4:46 a.m.

In reply to SV reX :

While it's not quite there for restoration purposes, I recently saw some chrome powder coat that looked really damn good. 

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