Show car chrome, is it for you? Below are examples of wheels with special show car prep work performed to the inside barrel. This additional processing is generally reserved for show cars. For daily drivers we do not reccomend inner barrel polishing because of the additional maintenance required in cleaning the inner barrel.
Front view of wheels
Here is an example showing two wheels side by side, both made by the same manufacturer, both made from the same material, and both made using the same manufacturing process. Both have been chrome plated by California Chrome Wheel Inc. and are ready for mounting.
Top view of wheels
As you can see in these pictures, the face, windows, lips and outer barrel of both wheels have been expertly prepped and polished prior to chrome plating. As a result, the chrome is of a show room quality lustre second to none.
Rear view of wheels
Upon closer inspection it is apparent that the wheel on the left has had special prep work done on the inner barrel of the wheel.
Un-polishing inner barrel
This image shows the inner barrel of a standard chrome plated wheel. While the entire surface has in fact been chrome plated, it does not have the mirror like reflectivity that chrome is known for. This is because the inner barrel is very rarely prepped and polished since obviously it is not as visible as the face of the wheel.
Polishing inner barrel
This image shows the chrome wheel where the inner barrel has been specially prepped and polished. Note how the inner barrel of this wheel is just as reflective as the face or lips of the wheel. Due to the extra labor involved in this kind of polishing, it is usually reserved for show vehicles, only available through special order, and at increased cost. Pricing starts at $100 per wheel. Please call for details.
Rear of hub and spoke
Note that while the inner barrel is fully polished, the rear side of the hub and spokes are not specially prepped.
