Steel Wheel Chrome Plating at CalChrome

Ditch Witch Steel Wheels

Steel wheels are found on many older foreign (e.g. Austin Healey, Porsche) and domestic vehicles (e.g. American muscle cars such as Buicks, Chevys, Fords, Pontiacs , etc.) prior to the mid 1980s. Unlike aluminum alloy wheels, steel wheels are magnetic and can be checked to verify they are so by using a magnet.

Chrome plating of a steel wheel is a very special procedure that requires additional steps beyond what is required for rechroming an alloy wheel.

During the manufacturing process of most steel wheels, the center section and the outer barrels were prepared and plated separately and then welded together. This ensured that there was complete chrome coverage across the front of the wheel.

In order to re-chrome plate a steel wheel correctly, the wheel needs to be separated by removing the center section from the outer barrel. At this point, we can remove the old plating, polish, and re-chrome plate both individual pieces to ensure complete coverage on the visible portion of the wheel, which consists of the front side only. Upon completion of the plating, we will reposition the center section into the outer barrel and weld the two pieces back together. This is the same method that the original manufacturer performed during the initial assembly of the wheel.

Steel wheel stripped and cleaned	Center and outer separated
Separate pieces after chrome plating	Completed wheel after being welded

If your wheels require repair, such as truing, curb damage, etc, we do offer repair services. Below are examples of wheels as we have received them. Please call for a quotation.

Wheel with reparable damage (curb damage)

Wheel with severe rust and corrosion damage

Due to the differences in composition, steel wheels may not be chrome plated as easily as aluminum wheels. Steel is a thinner and much denser material than aluminum. Therefore, we cannot always polish out imperfections during the preparation process prior to the chrome plating.

Steel Wheels Before Chrome Plating	Steel Wheels After Chrome Plating
Rusted area shown before Chrome Plating	Rusted area shown after Chrome Plating

In conclusion, when we rechrome a wheel, the rechroming process adds only a cosmetic finish. We do not refabricate, recondition, restructure, or otherwise restore the base metal of the wheels. All of our rechroming is done on a best-effort basis. Even though we are the industry quality leader, it is difficult for us to guarantee perfect results. The finished results will depend on many factors, including but not limited to the age, the condition, and the general suitability of the wheels as we received them. Keep in mind that the chrome plating will be new, however, customers' expectations of a rechromed wheel can be unrealistic since the chrome plating reflects any and all imperfections in the base material of the wheel.

Cost includes all necessary disassembly, prep, rechrome plating, and reassembly. Steel chrome plating pricing starts at $250 per wheel.