C3 Trim Rings Flash Chromed? -- Part 2

[Mark E.]

Reference: "C3 Trim Rings Flash Chromed?"

This closed thread in the archives follows several members debating whether wheel trim rings are polished stainless or chromed.

Has this debate been resolved? I either need to get mine restored or find replacements.

Thanks,

[Patrick H.]

Re: C3 Trim Rings Flash Chromed? -- Part 2

I go with flash chromed.

I was judging an event in late June, and one side of a car I was judging had "yellow" appearing rings from stainless and one had "bluish silver" appearing rings from flash chrome. To me it was really obvious that the yellow side was not correct.

Patrick

[Alan S.]

Re: C3 Trim Rings Flash Chromed? -- Part 2

Hi,
I believe that the trim rings were flash chromed.
Here are 2 pictures which I believe illustrate the difference in the color of a chrome plated (copper/nickel/chrome) part, a polished stainless/flash chromed part, and a polished stainless steel part.
Whithout the other two finishes in such close proximity I believe most people would simply call the polished stainless steel part... silver.
Regards,
Alan

[Mark E.]

Re: C3 Trim Rings Flash Chromed? -- Part 2

Patrick and Alan,

I too think they are chromed; thank you for clarifying this.

While shopping for rings on eBay, I emailed Rick Miller, a vendor with a restored set for sale, with this same question. His response: "Having restored well over 2000 factory stainless trim rings in the past 20+ years, I have yet to see an original ring that was flash chromed."

But I agree with you two- my original, albeit beat up, rings have that bluish tint of chrome. And I've also seen rings showing patches of yellowish finish, which I believe is where the chrome is worn through.

It's curious how this simple topic has opposing opinions from folks with seemingly a lot of experience.


EDIT: I just read the thread "Who restores '67 trim rings" where someone today recommended Rick Miller as an expert, NCRS-member wheel trim restorer.

So at least one expert believes trim rings are polished stainless steel, not chromed...

[Pat M.]

Re: C3 Trim Rings Flash Chromed? -- Part 2

Mark, I too believe they were flash chromed, as do many other NCRS members whom I greatly respect.

Rick Miller does great work, and did a great job on rings for me. I simply had them flash chromed after he repaired them.

[Bill C.]

Re: C3 Trim Rings Flash Chromed? -- Part 2

I had the trim rings for my72 repaired and prepped for flash chroming.
it was not a cheap thing to get done, but the trim rings came out the correct way.

I am not an expert, but about every piece of stainless on a C3 that I can account for was flash chromed for GM.
it needed to be in order to match the pot metal or steel chromed parts on the car.

Bill

[Dave S.]

Re: C3 Trim Rings Flash Chromed? -- Part 2

Mark, I too believe they were flash chromed, as do many other NCRS members whom I greatly respect.

Rick Miller does great work, and did a great job on rings for me. I simply had them flash chromed after he repaired them.

From experience Rick Miller represents his trim rings incorrectly. In addition to the chrome/polish issue he sells trim rings that are altered on the back of the outer crimp. It is detectable in that the inside of the outer ring has "pinch" marks every inch or two. That technique is used to rotate the outer ring so the clips are indexed correctly. i.e. One clip at the valve stem hole. He seems to think that technique is original.

[Pat M.]

Re: C3 Trim Rings Flash Chromed? -- Part 2

From experience Rick Miller represents his trim rings incorrectly. In addition to the chrome/polish issue he sells trim rings that are altered on the back of the outer crimp. It is detectable in that the inside of the outer ring has "pinch" marks every inch or two. That technique is used to rotate the outer ring so the clips are indexed correctly. i.e. One clip at the valve stem hole. He seems to think that technique is original.

Interesting Dave, I did not know that.

In my case I provided him with marked, correctly-indexed rings to repair, so that was not an issue with me, and he really did a great job.

[Mark E.]

Re: C3 Trim Rings Flash Chromed? -- Part 2

Mark, I too believe they were flash chromed, as do many other NCRS members whom I greatly respect.

Rick Miller does great work, and did a great job on rings for me. I simply had them flash chromed after he repaired them.

Pat- So after you received your restored rings from Rick, you disassembled them, had them chromed, then reassembled? That's a lot of rework, especially considering how much you paid Rick to do his work.

[Pat M.]

Re: C3 Trim Rings Flash Chromed? -- Part 2

Pat- So after you received your restored rings from Rick, you disassembled them, had them chromed, then reassembled? That's a lot of rework, especially considering how much you paid Rick to do his work.

Mark, I didn't disassemble or reassemble them, I got them back from Rick and sent them to the chromer as they were. I got them back looking correct to me and they judged without deductions at a National meet.

[Mark E.]

Re: C3 Trim Rings Flash Chromed? -- Part 2

So it sounds like the chromer disassembled and reassembled them instead of you. Is that correct?

That's still a lot of rework. Isn't there someone who restores these properly the first time?

[Alan S.]

[Tracy C.]

Re: C3 Trim Rings Flash Chromed? -- Part 2

So it sounds like the chromer disassembled and reassembled them instead of you. Is that correct?

That's still a lot of rework. Isn't there someone who restores these properly the first time?

Why do you think they need to be disassembled? Chrome plating is basically clear and only .0003 thick. (3 ten thousands). Assembled trim rings could easily be flash chromed when assembled and I agree that they are. Polished stainless without flash chrome will oxidize and take on a yellowish tint over time.

tc

[Mark E.]

Re: C3 Trim Rings Flash Chromed? -- Part 2

Why do you think they need to be disassembled? tc

I don't know, Tracy...

Doesn't it look funny to have the clips and attaching band plated?

And wouldn't the chrome tend to flake off these parts since the surfaces weren't prepped properly (which would be hard to do unless the ring is disassembled)?

I know the clips and band don't show much, but still...

[Pat M.]

Re: C3 Trim Rings Flash Chromed? -- Part 2

The rings I had done do not have chrome on the bands or the clips, and yet they show no evidence of having been disassembled. I don't know how the chromer did it, but he did.