My mom drives a 2001 Lincoln Continental and today while I was detailing it I noticed that the chrome is heavily peeling off the inside of the wheel. We had a problem with this about a year ago where the chrome pieces were rubbing against the rotor and making the worst metallic crunching noise I had ever heard. Easily fixed though.

My question, is it a problem that the chrome is coming off? integrity wise will this throw off the balance or anything? Is it an issue that needs to be handled or is it fine to leave it as is?

I hate aluminum wheels my family has had countless problems with them. (stock aluminum wheels at least)

Thanks in advance.

If it is a hazard I am probably just going to have them sand blasted and powder coated.

 

I'm not sure that it would be enough to throw off balance, I would think not but can't say that for sure. I'm not a big fan of Chrome because of that and there are simply other choices out there. Sorry I could not help.

 

For the past 20 years Nissan has periodically issued warning about chroming oem aluminum wheels, as the process can cause cracks in porous cast aluminum. Chrome flaking off and bubbles cover up what is happening inside and under the bubbles.

 

These are stock Ford wheels though, cam from the factory totally chrome.

I could see the problem when chroming OEM wheels and it flaking off.