Posted 2019-09-04 4:50 PM (#587069) Subject: Polished Stainless or Flash Chromed? - some examples
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Location: Lower Mainland BC
I'll start with this pretty much NOS 56 Dodge 15" wheel disc. PN 1637 338. Parts book says "Stainless Steel". The back looks like stainless steel but the front is very shiny. I have no idea whether is is "Flash Chromed" or polished.
Posted 2019-09-22 5:32 PM (#587848 - in reply to #587846) Subject: Re: Polished Stainless or Flash Chromed? - some examples
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Posts: 9909
Location: Lower Mainland BC
dougsoldcars - 2019-09-22 2:10 PM
I concur with stainless. If they were any kind of chromed steel they would have long since pitted and developed rust.
Guys: There was never any doubt that my example wheel disc/cover was stainless steel. The question is was the very shiny (outer side) polished stainless steel or "flash" chromed stainless steel? I think flash chromed.
Posted 2019-09-23 10:40 AM (#587873 - in reply to #587848) Subject: Re: Polished Stainless or Flash Chromed? - some examples
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 309
Location: Western Colorado
Dave,
I would think that anything that was "flash chromed" would have a surface/finish similar to real chrome. I would take some stainless polish and try rubbing a small spot. If your rag becomes black, I would guess it is NOT flash chromed.
Bob
Posted 2019-09-23 3:10 PM (#587884 - in reply to #587069) Subject: Re: Polished Stainless or Flash Chromed? - some examples
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Location: So. Cal
The way you can tell is if you start to polish it heavily, and you rub through the plated chrome layer, leaving a patch with a border around it. Chrome is clear so it just shows what is underneath. So even flash chrome requires polishing the stainless underneath it first. It just helps to keep it shiny longer.
One thing I have found is that drip rail moldings are not stainless. They are chromed steel (copper/nickel/chrome plating), so beware scratching them or you will see a little rust line develop.