Help clarify, does waxing cause pitting on chrome

[paradog]

There is an arguement in another forum that is based on the idea that 8 month old chrome wheels were pitting...the vendor is arguing that the wheels were pitting due to the use of wax...the owner argues that the chroming was done poorly....any insights?

[makdaddy626]

Many places recommend AGAINST using wax on chrome indicating that it can trap moisture and prevent the chrome from breathing which can cause pitting. Just google it and you'll find that opinion expressed a lot.

Can't say it's definately true from personal, first hand knowledge but it does seem to be widely accepted.

[ScottB]

funny considering alot of metal polishes actually have wax in them also for protection. I think its bunk ...had both chrome wheels and high polish uncoated and always wax or sealed without a single issue.

[TOGWT]

" the vendor is arguing that the wheels were pitting due to the use of wax...the owner argues that the chroming was done poorly....any insights?

Paint and chrome do not need to breath. There is nothing in wax that would cause chrome pitting, wax is often used when storing or transporting chomed items.

Chrome:
Decorative chrome plating is sometimes called nickel-chrome plating because bright chrome plating always involves plating nickel before plating the chrome. The nickel provides the reflectivity and most of the corrosion resistance. The chrome plating is exceptionally thin, measured in millionths of an inch rather than in thousandths. Chrome plating Chrome Masters, Nashville, TN

Chrome plating process-
1. Remove all paint and primers
2. First stage polishing- brings the lip and outer edge area to a high lustre
3. The wheels then go through various rinses to remove all polishing compounds.
4. Copper plate-unique to aluminium, copper helps fill any porosity in the casing
5. Semi-bright nickel- an important step for corrosion resistance and plating coverage
6. Auxiliary anode-are used prior to placing the wheel in the final solution bath, the anode assures complete and even coverage
7. Chrome plate- this is the final step of the plating process
8. Final rinse- to remove any remaining compounds

Cleaning Methodology:

Thoroughly rinse surface to remove any loose surface dirt or dust.
Wash the surface with a citrus-based APC cleaner (P21S Total Auto Wash)
Use a cleaner (Simichrome or Klasse All-In-One) to remove any surface blemishes
Use a mild polish (P21S Multi-Surface Finish Restorer) to prevent re-oxidation and provide a water-resistant coating and restore lustre to the chrome
To restore chrome that is pitted or has rust spots, remove with a metal polish (Auto Wenol Blue, or use Red for chrome restoration)
Finally apply a polymer sealant (Zoopseal) to provide lasting protectionDue to the softness of the metallic plating it is very easy to induce a swirl marks to the finish so use straight-line motions only. Use a soft brush to remove any dried polish from seams or folds. For both chrome and highly polished aluminum, use a mildly abrasive metal polish (Iz™ Einszett Metal Polish or Groit's Chrome Polish). Vacuum-metallized (Plastic chrome) can be detected by tapping your fingernail on the surface; it has an obvious plastic tone to it, clean with a plastic cleaner / polish (Plexus

Deep Chrome was designed to completely clean chrome surfaces without ever scratching. This product can be aggressively worked into a chrome surface, producing an amazing, almost-blue chrome finish. Easily removes water spots, most chemical stains, small boot marks, and the haze created by wax based chrome polishes and their protective coatings. Deep Finish -

[Surfer]

As said before, wax will not harm chrome. Plenty of people use the Collinite wax line on wheels b/c of durability.

[Totoland Mach]

pitting on chrome wheels is more than likely to be caused by something breaking the super thin chrome surface and working down to the reflective nickel layer. Really bad pitting can come from things such as road salt, sand, abrasive brake dust improperly removed.

Chrome steel wheels usually are plated using nickel then chrome.

Chrome alloy wheels are triple plated: copper to fill pores and provide a better surface for nickel. Then nickel and chrome.

Once something like salt gets through the chrome top layer, it will chemically react with nickel, then the copper (if it's an alloy wheel).

So, the answer is no. Wax does not cause pitting.

Toto

[justin_murphy]

Hell no is doesn't!

Pitting is simply faulty chrome plating.

Simple.

If still under warranty, they should be replaced.