LS6 Molester
Viper Owner
just so i can have some rough idea or for anyone that has weighed their rims before and after chrome. thanks
how much weight does chrome add to rims?
- Thread starter LS6 Molester
- Start date
dave6666
Enthusiast
I would think it to be rather trivial.
Take the weight of chromium per given volume.
Estimate the surface area of your wheel.
Multiply times a coating thickness of 0.0005 inches and you have the volume of your chromium.
Be sure and factor in the clear coat they remove before adding the chrome. It has weight too.
Take the weight of chromium per given volume.
Estimate the surface area of your wheel.
Multiply times a coating thickness of 0.0005 inches and you have the volume of your chromium.
Be sure and factor in the clear coat they remove before adding the chrome. It has weight too.
02 Graphite GTS
Enthusiast
Funny...but true!You can ask the guys at California Chrome...they should know. California Chrome Wheel, Inc. - Chrome Wheels for Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus, Mercedes, and more
Rough idea? Based on 17" RT10:
-Find a NIT.
-Pick It Up and weigh it.
-Multiply X 4.
-add 10% for 18"
-add 20% for 19"
-add 25% for 20"
-Add 2% if any wheel is WAXED.
If a 17" OE wheel, DEDUCT (3 NITS) for stripped powdercoat and clear.
If just a clear coated wheel deduct 1 NIT 18" and 1.5 NITS 19"
CAUTION: When PICKING NITS do NOT break their tiny legs off......the weight changes.
Last edited:
dave6666
Enthusiast
I shower daily and can not find any NITS.
Please resubmit your formula using micro-newtons per atmosphere of gravity squared.
Please resubmit your formula using micro-newtons per atmosphere of gravity squared.
AviP
Enthusiast
got one
Enthusiast
Yes, I have to agree. The weight changes significantly when you pull the legs off, thereby making any data analysis irrelevant after the fact.
DrDJ
Enthusiast
How much wt does balancing the tires add?
DrDJ
DrDJ
Warfang
Enthusiast
How much weight does striping add? 
Paul Hawker
Enthusiast
If you fill the tires with pure nitrogen (available at Costco) this will help mitigate any increase weight from the plating.
Remember that the wheels will be plated three times, copper, nickle, chrome. Believe the weight would be significant. (thicker coatings weigh more)
More significant, chrome plating has been reported to reduce the strength of plated wheels (please do not ask me by how much)/
Remember that the wheels will be plated three times, copper, nickle, chrome. Believe the weight would be significant. (thicker coatings weigh more)
More significant, chrome plating has been reported to reduce the strength of plated wheels (please do not ask me by how much)/
KenH
Enthusiast
As Paul noted above, if you want to worry about something, forget the weight concern and worry more about possible embrittlement of the aluminum surface of the wheel which could lead to compromised structural integrity if you drive hard with sticky rubber like in racing. There is a reason you don't see real race cars driving around on chromed suspension and wheel components and I don't think it is because it adds a lot of weight, though it must add some.
Is it a big concern for a street car? Probably not, but I know that there have been some reports of street Busas breaking their aluminum rims after having them chromed, but perhaps it was just coincidence and the wheels where flawed before chroming.
My own experience has not been with aluminum, but I have seen hydrogen embrittlement problems with steel first hand and it's not a pretty sight. Perhaps one of the local metallurgical experts can chime in on this one.
Is it a big concern for a street car? Probably not, but I know that there have been some reports of street Busas breaking their aluminum rims after having them chromed, but perhaps it was just coincidence and the wheels where flawed before chroming.
My own experience has not been with aluminum, but I have seen hydrogen embrittlement problems with steel first hand and it's not a pretty sight. Perhaps one of the local metallurgical experts can chime in on this one.
Yeah, what he said...
If you're gonna track it (other than 1/4 mi) I would steer clear of chrome. That is why you're concerned about weight, right?
Paul Hawker
Enthusiast
Fun posts, but nobody answered his question.
LS6 Molester
Viper Owner
i am going to get 2 sets of rims one for street and one for track. i was asking because of the unsprung weight. i didnt want to add more there if i didnt have to and from what i have heard chroming rims add pounds to them. and from what john b said. i would be adding 20% of the rim weight in front and 25% in the rear. thats a lot of rotating mass!!
but anyways i have concluded that i will be getting a brushed aluminum finish instead of chrome
but anyways i have concluded that i will be getting a brushed aluminum finish instead of chrome
What I said was, 4 NITS X + 20-25% .......... ie nuttin
I did call a respected chromer who stated that in 23 years he had not been asked, but guestimated less than 3 ounces of plating on a full chrome wheel. Or was that .3 oz ?
I had some small fig-newtons, and micro-waved them, creating micro-newtons.
The energy added caused them to crumble. Affected by the squared gravity, they fell to the shop floor where the NITS on my floor ate them.
These calorie-adjusted NITS screwed up my formula even before I adjusted for MbHg atmospheric.
Some days it dont pay to get up.....
PS. Next lesson we will discuss the centercap factor.... Gen 1-2-3 vs ACR.
Chuck 98 RT/10
Enthusiast
Track rims need to be regularly inspected for cracks. I've had two cracked rims. Chrome might hide the cracks.
Cop Magnet
Enthusiast
Chrome is for show.
Real track cars go polished, bare, or painted.
Real track cars go polished, bare, or painted.
Asp Man
Enthusiast
Maybe helium instead of nitrogen.
Here's a thought, why not ask the chrome shop that's doing them?
dave6666
Enthusiast
Ratical2
Enthusiast
Jon B- Thanks for the laugh....
00prowler
Enthusiast
who cares...
