I don't think there is any way that chrome plating causes brittleness. My
job takes me into pretty close contact with electroplaters, and
enbrittlement is something I have never heard them discuss. Electroplating
uses a low voltage DC current which should not alter the properties of the
parent material. I would guess the broken spoke was due to the use of an
improper steel alloy or perhaps a slag inclusion in the steel.
There is another process that is used to dip bodies. Once more, this is
someting I have heard about as part of work, so I don't know a lot about it.
I do know there is a fellow in Evansville, Indiana that dips bodies in a
cyanide solution. I have not seen the results, but my contact in Evansville
says it does a beautiful job, much like the process Ian and Jan use.
Bill
----- Original Message -----
From: "Armand Ritchie" <ritchie@mcn.org>
To: <alpines@autox.team.net>
Sent: Sunday, December 23, 2001 4:03 PM
Subject: Re: Help me decide!!
> Paul,
> I have had both chrome and painted wire wheels in the past and I can tell
> you my opinion. The chromes look great but are a pain to keep clean, they
> seem to attract dirt like a magnet. The painted ones always seem to look
> good, even when there a little dirty you don't notice it as much.
> I also had a problem years ago with the chrome wires on my Triumph Stag.
> The spokes them selves were very brittle and I found one of them broken
> (snapped in the middle like a pretzel) after a trip through the car wash.
> I always thought that the brittleness was from the chroming process but
I'm
> not sure on that.
>
> regards
> Armand
>
>
>
>
>
> >List,
> >I just received a nice Christmas award gift ($$$$) and would like to put
> >it into my Series 3 estoration before he wife gets wind of it. I need
you
> >guys to help me decide on something.
> >
> >I am going to buy new wire wheels from British Wire Wheel with this cash.
> >The question is should I buy regular wire and paint them or go with all
> >chrome?
> >I have been researching powder colors for months and cannot get an exact
> >match. I did however come very close to the original sample from Ian and
> >Company. (just a shade darker) Custom matching the powder is going to be
> >too expensive so that's not an option. Also, regular paint is not an
> >option as I'm addicted to powders durability and connot get myself to use
> >liquid paint. Unless you can talk me into it.
> >I attended the British Conclave in Denver last summer and looked at
> >hundreds of british cars with wire wheels and chrome knock-offs. I
looked
> >at many with chrome wires and many more with paint. I must admit, the
> >chrome looked better to me. Although I was leaning to keep the original
> >period look, I walked away confused and wanting Chrome!
> >BTW, my 3 eared knock-off's are already back from the chrome shop and
look
> >FANTASTIC!! Better than factory!!
> >
> >Help me!
> >Paul
> >Colorado
> >Series 3 GT (waiting on body paint and still throwing "stupid" money at
> >it) :)
>
> ritchie@mcn.org
> Armand Ritchie
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