Wheels - Don't Crome Plate Light Alloys

91mercedes02

TO: OUR MERCEDES-BENZ PASSENGER CAR DEALERS

DATE: April 1991


REF. NO. MBNA 40/18


SUBJECT: ALL MODELS CHROME PLATING OF MB LIGHT ALLOY WHEELS


Chrome plating of MB light alloy wheels is not recommended.

The reason that we do not recommend chrome plating is as follows:

When chrome plating an MB light alloy wheel, the wheel must first be anodized (copper plated). The difference in EMF (Electro-Motive Force) values between copper and aluminum results in electrolytic corrosion with aluminum being the sacrificial metal. This will result in weakening of the base metal as well as poor adhesion of the subsequent plating, and thereby premature flaking of the chrome finsh. Wheels of cast light alloy, with their porous surface, are even more susceptible to this condition than those of forged light alloys.