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Summary:
Introduction
 
 1. WHEEL PICKUP 11. SEMI-AUTOMATIC 21. CHROME PLATING SOLUTION
 2. RECEIVING - Large 12. JITTERBUFF 22. FINAL RINSE
 3. RECEIVING - Individual 13. SOAP BATH & RINSE 23. COMPLETED PART
 4. UNPACKING 14. CHEMICAL ETCHING 24. INSPECTION & CLEANING
 5. INSPECTION 15. COPPER PLATE 25. TRACKING
 6. TRACKING 16. COPPER PLATING 26. PACKING
 7. TRACKING - detail 17. COPPER BUFFING 27. PALETIZED SHIPPING
 8. PAINT STRIP 18. COPPER (DETAIL) 28. WHEEL DELIVERY
 9. 1ST STAGE POLISH 19. BRIGHT NICKEL 29. TIRE MOUNTING
10. DETAIL POLISING 20. AUXILIARY ANODE 30. INSTALLATION

INTRODUCTION

Chrome plating of an aluminum wheel is an intricate and time-involved procedure. Below are some of the major steps required to chrome plate a wheel. Additional proprietary operations contribute to the wheel's final form. (Our Clientele)

Chroming Process
1. WHEEL PICKUP
Local pickup is available in many regions on the West Coast.
2. RECEIVING - Large Orders
Wheels are unloaded, sorted and prepped for processing.
Chroming Process Chroming Process
3. RECEIVING - Individual Orders
Individually shipped orders are received daily through ground delivery services.
4. UNPACKING
Individually boxed wheels are unpacked by hand.
Chroming Process
5. INSPECTION
Wheels are inspected, and checked against included paperwork and photos are taken.
6. TRACKING
Each wheel is engraved on the barrel with its own unique internal tracking number.
Chroming Process Chroming Process
7. TRACKING - Detail
Detail of tracking numbers.
8. PAINT STRIP
All paint and primers are removed.
Chroming Process Chroming Process
9. FIRST STAGE POLISHING
This procedure prepares the larger
facial area of the wheel.
10. DETAIL POLISING W/ HAND TOOLS
This work is necessary to process the detail relief areas of the wheel (windows).
Chroming Process Chroming Process
11. SEMI-AUTOMATIC
This procedure brings the lip and outer edge area to a high luster.
12. JITTERBUFF
The flat part of the wheel is worked
to eliminate waves in the material.
Chroming Process Chroming Process
13. SOAP BATH & RINSE
The wheel is put through a special operation to remove all polishing compounds.
14. CHEMICAL ETCHING
The wheel is put through various chemical baths to etch the surfaces.
Chroming Process Chroming Process
15. COPPER PLATE
Copper plating helps fill imperfections in the porous, aluminum casing. Not all platers utilize this important step.
16. COPPER PLATED WHEELS
After the completion of this procedure, copper wheels must again be polished before the next plating step can occur.
Chroming Process Chroming Process
17. COPPER BUFFING
Upon completion of the copper plating, the surface of the wheel needs to be brightened to a high-luster finish.
18. COPPER BUFFING (DETAIL)
Once again, the relief areas (window) needs to be brightened to a high-luster finish.
Chroming Process Chroming Process
19. BRIGHT NICKEL
The application of nickel is very important for corrosion resistance and plating coverage (wheel shown with anode attached).
20. AUXILIARY ANODE
This device is placed on the wheel and helps to ensure complete and even coverage.
Chroming Process Chroming Process
21. CHROME PLATING SOLUTION
Wheel center shown with auxiliary anode after being dipped in chrome solution.
22. FINAL RINSE
Any remaining solutions are removed.
Chroming Process Chroming Process
23. COMPLETED PART
Here is the completed part. It has been paint-stripped, polished, copper-plated, copper-buffed, nickel plated, and chrome plated.
24. INSPECTION & CLEANING
As each wheel is cleaned and inspected, it is identified by the customer number that will determine its packaging.
Chroming Process
25. TRACKING
Completed wheels are tracked once again to ensure proper delivery.
26. PACKAGING
Individual Orders are boxed for shipping via UPS, CalOvernight, or palletized shipment.
27. PALETIZED SHIPPING
Large volume orders are loaded onto pallets and shrink wrapped.
28. WHEEL DELIVERY
Individual orders, including mummy wrapped tire & wheel packages can be shipped via UPS.
Chroming Process Chroming Process
29. WHEEL MOUNTING
Wheels with tires are professionally mounted and road force balanced.
30. INSTALLATION
Installation directly to vehicle by our trained technicians is available to local customers.
 

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