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Wed Nov 01, 2006 4:08 am

vwgearhead wrote: ,how does chroming the fuchs devalue the wheel??

Hydrogen Embrittlement.

"Hydrogen embrittlement is the process by which various metals, ...., become brittle and crack following exposure to hydrogen. "

"Hydrogen embrittlement can happen during various manufacturing operations or operational use, anywhere where the material comes in contact with atomic or molecular hydrogen. Processes which can lead to this include cathodic protection, phosphating, pickling, and electroplating."

"The corrosion mechanism begins with hydrogen atoms diffusing through the metal as an interstitial. Hydrogen embrittlement is a room temperature phenomenon where hydrogen present inside the material makes it brittle. High-strength steels, aluminium, and titanium alloys are most susceptible."

"Electroplating is a major cause of hydrogen embrittlement. Some hydrogen is generated during the cleaning and pickling cycles, but by far the most significant source is cathodic inefficiency, which is followed by sealing the hydrogen in the parts. Baking is often performed on high strength parts to reduce this risk, and the ASTM, in 1994, issued a specification for baking cycles, as shown below. For the production plater, having to remove the parts from the production line to bake - followed by a separate chromating process - is a laborious process"

Wed Nov 01, 2006 7:05 am

vwgearhead wrote: glandnut,how does chroming the fuchs devalue the wheel?? I just won a set of 5.5s and deep 6s on ebay for my ghia and I was going to send them straight to the chrome shop! let me know please,ok thanx!

Because the wheels never came that way originally. When something is drastically changed from it's original state, it tends to devalue an item. Example, a guy who blasts and clear coats gas burners will not get the amount of money original ones would. Similar to changing Fuchs, you can always re-anodize, but once you chrome,that's it. Believe me, I think chrome Fuchs are beautiful, and if you really dig it, then they are yours to do what you will. The big thing that keeps me from doing a chrome job on Fuchs- when you accidentally curb or chip that chrome, what next? A nice set done up by Al Reed or Magmasters are very attractive when kept up. My buddy Scott has a set that was done by Magmasters years ago, and they still look beautiful because he takes care of them.

Wed Nov 01, 2006 10:00 pm

glandnut wrote: vwgearhead wrote: glandnut,how does chroming the fuchs devalue the wheel?? I just won a set of 5.5s and deep 6s on ebay for my ghia and I was going to send them straight to the chrome shop! let me know please,ok thanx!

Because the wheels never came that way originally. When something is drastically changed from it's original state, it tends to devalue an item. Example, a split with a rag cut in will command less money than a rag that originally was produced with it.

I agree with this, but your example is weak. Here's a better one:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=312195&highlight=gas+and+burners

This guy spent big $ to get his wheels stripped then clear powdercoated. Even though the wheels look great, for resale, nobody wants his idea of the best look. Any buyer is thinking about what it would cost to undo all that crap so they can be finished the way they want. That is part of the reason, IMO, that chromed Fuchs are worth less.
For me, the likelyhood that a chromed wheel has suffered from the ill effects I listed above, that wheel is worth ZERO.

Sat Nov 04, 2006 1:57 pm

On the ghia question. I think 4.5s front and 5.5 rears. Ive been thinking about going with a 145 40 series in the front and 205 55 s in the rear. something different. My question what do u guys use to clean your fuchs? Mine are polished. they need a cleaning. Great info.

Sat Nov 04, 2006 8:20 pm

Quote: My buddy Scott has a set that was done by Magmasters years ago, and they still look beautiful because he takes care of them.

Damn Jeff, thanks for the props. Brought a tear to my eye. I guess I am going to owe you a beer this weekend.

Quote: My question what do u guys use to clean your fuchs? Mine are polished. they need a cleaning.

Keeping Fuchs polished is a labor of love. You need 2 things, a good polish and a good hand cleaner, because your fingers are going to get black. Lastly, you need to have your car garaged and out of the elements to keep them looking good for any amount of time.

I have tried many polishes and came across one recently that works great. It is Mothers Billet polish. The regular Mothers aluminum polish works good, but he Billet is MUCH better. Below is a link to the product.

http://www.autogeek.net/motbilmetpol.html[/code]

Mon Jan 22, 2007 4:13 pm

I see only info for the 15".

Does anyone have info on the 16"?

Or do I need to start another thread and ask this question?

Mon Jan 22, 2007 4:14 pm

hpw wrote: I see only info for the 15".

Does anyone have info on the 16"?

Or do I need to start another thread and ask this question?

start another

Wed Feb 14, 2007 10:01 am

[quote="Skim"]great info. Alot of people ask alot of questions that I believe ol skul cleared up for them.

Ol skul, I have been contemplating narrowing a pair of eatly 6's from the front to make the face stick out further than a regular 4.5. Do you think it would work? I have 2 early 6"s that need help that wouldnt hurt being the guinea pigs.[/quote]

Did you ever modify your deep 6's

Wed Feb 14, 2007 5:46 pm

Like this?:

Wed Feb 14, 2007 7:35 pm

joe comfort wrote: I have 2 early 6"s that need help that wouldnt hurt being the guinea pigs.

Same here, I got an extra set I would doit to also.

Wed Feb 14, 2007 7:57 pm

twinwindowsJHC wrote: joe comfort wrote: I have 2 early 6"s that need help that wouldnt hurt being the guinea pigs.

Same here, I got an extra set I would doit to also.

Count me in...I sent a PM to Bruce and he's knows of a shop in Canada that can do it.He's going to get me the number, I will keep you guys posted.. :wink: Paul

Wed Feb 14, 2007 11:37 pm

Bruce wrote: Like this?:

Holllly shhhh!
Those are SSSSIIIICCCCKKKK!!!!:twisted:

Wed Feb 14, 2007 11:40 pm

They poke out even more than 4.5, they look better IMHO

Wed Feb 14, 2007 11:45 pm

psalinas wrote:
Count me in...I sent a PM to Bruce and he's knows of a shop in Canada that can do it.He's going to get me the number, I will keep you guys posted.. :wink: Paul

let me know what you find out, I want in on a set.

Wed Feb 14, 2007 11:50 pm

twinwindowsJHC wrote: psalinas wrote:
Count me in...I sent a PM to Bruce and he's knows of a shop in Canada that can do it.He's going to get me the number, I will keep you guys posted.. :wink: Paul

let me know what you find out, I want in on a set.

Me too :wink: I have two sets already ready to go Paul

Thu Feb 15, 2007 1:47 pm

Already on this, I am having 4's made from 2 bent deep 6's

Thu Feb 15, 2007 6:19 pm

I told you they'd crap their pants, Paul.
Here's another dump for you guys:

This is an early 4½ widened to 6".

Thu Feb 15, 2007 6:25 pm

Rich's 50 wrote: twinwindowsJHC wrote: psalinas wrote:
Count me in...I sent a PM to Bruce and he's knows of a shop in Canada that can do it.He's going to get me the number, I will keep you guys posted.. :wink: Paul

let me know what you find out, I want in on a set.

Me too :wink: I have two sets already ready to go Paul

So we have:
Paul for 2
Carlos for 2
Rich for 4

If you guys are really serious, I can take a deep 6 to my local shop to show them exactly what you want. Group buy?

Thu Feb 15, 2007 8:45 pm

Let us know what the cost is. Thanks!

Thu Feb 15, 2007 9:57 pm

Bruce wrote: Rich's 50 wrote: twinwindowsJHC wrote: psalinas wrote:
Count me in...I sent a PM to Bruce and he's knows of a shop in Canada that can do it.He's going to get me the number, I will keep you guys posted.. :wink: Paul

let me know what you find out, I want in on a set.

Me too :wink: I have two sets already ready to go Paul

So we have:
Paul for 2
Carlos for 2
Rich for 4

If you guys are really serious, I can take a deep 6 to my local shop to show them exactly what you want. Group buy?

I`m down with it!!