42 replies to this topic

[Daytona Dude]

Found Something About my Challenger I'm Not Too Crazy About.

 

2012 Challenger Rallye Red Line.

 

First time detail cleaning my wheels and I discover that the black chrome wheels are PLASTIC. Really? Hope I never curb these things. Wonder how long that plastic will hold up? I tend to hold onto my cars at least fifteen years.

 

Dissapointed that they would use plastic wheel covers on a 30+ thousand dollar car.

[JoshMHam]

Found Something About my Challenger I'm Not Too Crazy About.

 

2012 Challenger Rallye Red Line.

 

First time detail cleaning my wheels and I discover that the black chrome wheels are PLASTIC. Really? Hope I never curb these things. Wonder how long that plastic will hold up? I tend to hold onto my cars at least fifteen years.

 

Dissapointed that they would use plastic wheel covers on a 30+ thousand dollar car.

It's called chrome-clad.  They take a lot less maintenance than real chrome wheels. 

 

Also, I don't think it would matter if they were real chrome or chrome-clad, scrape one curb and they will look like crap.

Edited by JoshMHam, January 8, 2013 at 09:15 am.

[Stratuscaster]

Wheel covers or wheel cladding? There's a difference.

Trying to locate more information...

[Aldo]

I got those wheels on my 2012 300S...they looked pretty tough, durable plastic cladding.

 

Like Josh said: hit a curb with anything and it will look like crap.  Difference is, in five years you may be able to find a replacement wheel for regular alloys at a junk yard; I doubt you will for these wheels.  At least they left the plastic cladding off the wheel lip.

Edited by Aldo, January 8, 2013 at 10:08 am.

[DaveAdmin]

Based on how long these have been in use, I suspect you will find them MORE long-lasting than the old style.

[TWX]

If I'm interpreting what I've read correctly, this "Chrome Clad" business started after automakers had problems with plating over aluminum, so to give the light weight of the aluminum plus the appearance that people wanted, they started with this chromed plastic kick.

 

I don't like plastic covers on wheels generally either.  I had switched the Stratus that I used to have from 14" steelies with hubcaps to 15" factory aluminum wheels, I had put 15" American Racing Torq Thrust IIs on my Cordoba, I've got a set of 16.5" slotted mags for the '82 D350, my wife's car has factory aluminum wheels, my beater truck has factory chromed-steel wheels, and my daily driver has factory aluminum wheels.  In the cases of the Stratus and the Cordoba, I switched wheels when I lost hubcaps.  If I were in your shoes, I'd drive the current tires until their worn out, then look at the wheels.  If they're in good shape, put a new set of tires on 'em.  If they're scrubbed up, consider aftermarket wheels, and if you like the tire size that the car comes with, get wheels that are the same size as the stockers.

[valiant67]

The chrome clad wheels will look better longer (and continue to hold air) a lot longer than a the old chromed aluminum wheels.
The wheels aren't plastic. it's an aluminum wheels with a plastic face glues to it - that's a lot different than a plastic hubcap.

[FreeLantz]

It's called chrome-clad.  They take a lot less maintenance than real chrome wheels. 

 

Also, I don't think it would matter if they were real chrome or chrome-clad, scrape one curb and they will look like crap.

Both statements are true, but I'll play devil's advocate and point out that, at least with an alloy wheel after a few scuffs you can have it re-machined and it will look new again.  I know someone who does this for a living at dealerships.  His cost is a lot less than having to replace your typical 18" or 20" OEM wheel.  On trucks and SUV's, the chrome-clad wheels make a lot of sense. It's harder to curb a wheel on a truck with a beefier tire there to protect it.  It's quite easy to do so on a Challenger though.

[Christopher]

If I'm interpreting what I've read correctly, this "Chrome Clad" business started after automakers had problems with plating over aluminum, so to give the light weight of the aluminum plus the appearance that people wanted, they started with this chromed plastic kick.
 
I don't like plastic covers on wheels generally either.  I had switched the Stratus that I used to have from 14" steelies with hubcaps to 15" factory aluminum wheels, I had put 15" American Racing Torq Thrust IIs on my Cordoba, I've got a set of 16.5" slotted mags for the '82 D350, my wife's car has factory aluminum wheels, my beater truck has factory chromed-steel wheels, and my daily driver has factory aluminum wheels.  In the cases of the Stratus and the Cordoba, I switched wheels when I lost hubcaps.  If I were in your shoes, I'd drive the current tires until their worn out, then look at the wheels.  If they're in good shape, put a new set of tires on 'em.  If they're scrubbed up, consider aftermarket wheels, and if you like the tire size that the car comes with, get wheels that are the same size as the stockers.

I was talking to a salesman about this a couple of weeks ago and he said that is precisely why.

[Daytona Dude]

If a cast wheel is damaged, it can be reconditioned. Plastic, not so much. Also, I know for a fact that a cast wheel will outlast plastic. My '84 Daytona has cast machined wheels that I merely stripped the clearcoat off then re-cleared. These wheels are over twenty-eight years old! Now, if Mopar sold the "chrome cladding" (i.e. plastic hubcap glued to an aluminum rim) as a replacement part, I wouldn't have a problem. Not what I expected from Dodge. Does GM and Ford use the same "cladding?"

[FreeLantz]

GM uses it heavily.  I am pretty sure the chrome wheels on Ford trucks and SUV's are also chrome-clad.  I don't believe I've ever seen it on a Mustang though.

[John Rogers]

The term Chrome Clad is used, it is not just fine print. The wheels are described as Chrome Clad.

[Daytona Dude]

"Chrome clad" not "plastic clad."

[ptschett]

A lot of 'chrome' wheels are chrome-clad wheels these days. 

 

Sometimes you can't even assume they're alloy beneath the cover... http://www.autosteel...teel Wheels.pdf

[MoparNorm]

I paid extra for my beautiful chrome deep dish wheels on my Chassis/Cab, 6 wheels total.
I wasn't too enthused the first time I rotated the tires and discovered they were plastic inserts clad with chrome...and only 4 of them for the 6 wheels.
They look pretty worn after 10 years and don't buff out like they once did.
I would have paid more for real chrome wheels.

[Bob_Sheaves]

I paid extra for my beautiful chrome deep dish wheels on my Chassis/Cab, 6 wheels total.
I wasn't too enthused the first time I rotated the tires and discovered they were plastic inserts clad with chrome...and only 4 of them for the 6 wheels.
They look pretty worn after 10 years and don't buff out like they once did.
I would have paid more for real chrome wheels.

Yep, lots more....and probably would have replaced 2 or more that broke.

You don't get durability with direct chrome plating of aluminum wheels.

Ever.

[Daytona Dude]

What about a PVD finish? They're cost effective, durable, repairable and look great.

 

 

"PVD stands for Physical vapor deposition and is a finish that is as strong as powder coating but gives the same shine as chrome." - American Racing

 

http://www.jegs.com/...498070/10002/-1

 

Don't really understand why Chrysler would even offer "chrome clad" when there is a much better alternative; or AT THE LEAST, make the chrome cladding replaceable.

[Bob_Sheaves]

What about a PVD finish? They're cost effective, durable, repairable and look great.

 

 

"PVD stands for Physical vapor deposition and is a finish that is as strong as powder coating but gives the same shine as chrome." - American Racing

 

http://www.jegs.com/...498070/10002/-1

 

Don't really understand why Chrysler would even offer "chrome clad" when there is a much better alternative; or AT THE LEAST, make the chrome cladding replaceable.

I am very familiar with PVD and it is a fine AFTERMARKET finish. No place on OEM parts.

 

If you don't understand why after searching on Allpar (there was a long discussion about 6 months ago), I cannot understand it for you. Go buy a Ford or GM and be done with it.

[Daytona Dude]

A little testy, are we? Seems Dodge could at the very least offer replacement chrome cladding, rather than requiring a new wheel, if the cladding is damaged. Actually, I'll stick with Dodge, considering my last FIVE cars have been Chrysler products. At least the wheels on my car aren't chrome clad steel, like on the V6 Mustangs.

[Bob_Sheaves]

A little testy, are we? Seems Dodge could at the very least offer replacement chrome cladding, rather than requiring a new wheel, if the cladding is damaged. Actually, I'll stick with Dodge, considering my last FIVE cars have been Chrysler products. At least the wheels on my car aren't chrome clad steel, like on the V6 Mustangs.

Again, you are complaining without understanding the "why" nor have you asked why to try to understand. Indicative of a GM or Ford buyer. Not testy, just sick and tired of the attitude. For the record, you ain"t gonna replace the plastic. It is designed NOT to be replaceable, since to make it replaceable, you make it stealable and loseable.