| Here at L.A. Wheel and Tire, we use state-of-the-art technology, proven methodology, and the best-performing, most environmentally-focused chroming facility in Southern California (a state that also happens to have some of the most stringent environmental policies in the world). From our semi-bright and particle nickels (the most expensive part of chrome plating), to our special anodes that allow chrome to get into all nooks and crannies of the wheel, we spend on average 20-30% more to chrome plate a wheel than just about anyone else out there. That's a difference you can see, and as they say, "seeing is believing."
The processes we use for
our three main finishes -- Chrome, Powder Coat, and
WinterChrome™ (which includes Black Chrome) -- are detailed below.
Note that in all cases, we use only Factory OEM wheels and rims;
aftermarket wheels simply do not have the same standards and safety
tests performed on them; we pride ourselves on using only the best
quality wheels and materials. Wheels are refinished by us, and not by or for the manufacturer of the underlying wheel.
Chrome
A
lustrous, show-quality triple trivalent chrome plated finish.
- All wheels are
individually inspected and placed on a high-speed balancer to make
sure they are perfectly straight and round; any wheel that fails
this inspection is scrapped.
- Wheel is stripped
and cleaned, leaving a bare, "raw" aluminum wheel.
- Raw wheel is
polished to remove imperfections in the surface of the wheel, and
then cleaned in a soap bath to remove any polishing compound.
- The wheel is placed
into two zincate baths to get a uniformly smooth surface, and then
is rinsed.
- Sulfamate nickel is
then applied; this is the step most other chroming companies skip,
as it is very expensive. This is one of the primary reasons
L.A. Wheel's chrome rims are corrosion-resistant, and allows us to
offer a longer warranty than most other companies.
- After the nickel
baths and rinses, chromium is finally applied to give the wheel an
amazing mirror finish. A couple more rinses ensure the wheel
comes out shiny and clean, ready to ship to your door step.
WinterChrome™ and Black Chrome
A
durable, chrome-like finish that does not fade, color-shift, or corrode.
- All wheels are
individually inspected and placed on a high-speed balancer to make
sure they are perfectly straight and round; any wheel that fails
this inspection is scrapped.
- Wheel is stripped
and cleaned, leaving a bare, "raw" aluminum wheel.
- Raw wheel is
polished to remove imperfections in the surface of the wheel, and
then cleaned in a soap bath to remove any polishing compound.
- We apply and cure a
special wheel grade hybrid powder coat to provide a smooth substrate
that adheres to the aluminum in the wheel.
- The wheel is placed
in a Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) vacuum chamber for the patented
finish process.
- In the PVD chamber,
after evacuating the atmosphere, corrosion-resistant alloy is
excited and deposited on the wheel, followed by chrome.
- An acrylic powder
clear coat is added to preserve and protect the finish, and is the
key factor in allowing us to warranty WinterChrome and Black Chrome
wheels even against corrosion!
- The wheel is
inspected, polished to a high luster, and ready to ship to your door
step.
Powder Coat
A
durable, highly versatile finish that can run the gamut of glossy and
reflective, to textured and matte, and allows for a variety of colors
and pin-striping for custom effects.
- All wheels are
individually inspected and placed on a high-speed balancer to make
sure they are perfectly straight and round; any wheel that fails
this inspection is scrapped.
- Wheel is stripped
and cleaned, leaving a bare, "raw" aluminum wheel.
- The wheel is
prebaked at 375 degrees for 20 minutes to "outgas" impurities, then
allowed to cool. The entire process never brings a wheel over
400 degrees to prevent softening of the aluminum.
- After cooling down,
the wheel is hung on conductive wire, and the colored powder is
fogged onto the wheel at low pressure.
- The wheel is
then baked at 375 degrees to allow for an even application.
- The wheels cool and
have a final DFT coating applied to ensure durability.
- Finally, the wheels
are inspected by a team of powder coating artists and wheel experts,
then packed with custom foam inserts to protect them during shipping
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