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4 Factors to Consider When Looking for a Wheel Plating Service

Metal Plate — Luxury Car in Orange County, CA

If you are looking to add shine and style to your car or motorcycle, you may be looking to have wheel plating done. Wheel plating involves coating the rims with different types of metal to give yours a unique and polished look.

If this is a process you are looking to have done, you will find that there are many different companies who offer this service. This can leave you wondering how to pick a company. Here are a few of the factors you should consider when you are looking for a wheel plating service.

1. The Type of Metals They Plate With

While chrome is the most common type of metal that car rims are plated with, it is not the only metal that can be used. Other types of metal that can be used include copper, aluminum and nickel.

Each type of metal has different advantages. For example, aluminum is a cheaper option than chrome but looks similar. Copper has a warmer metal coloring than the gray that is found in aluminum and nickel, which can give your car a unique look.

When you are looking to have metal plating done, take the time to research the different types of metal that can be used to plate your wheels, and then make sure the shop you are considering using uses that metal. Not every wheel plating service will offer services with all types of metal.

2. The Size of Wheels and Rims They Work With

If you have large or oversized tires and rims, then make sure you ask the wheel plating shop about the maximum size of rims they will plate. Some shops will plate all sizes of rims, including those from cars, trucks, SUVs and RVs. Other shops only have the equipment to plate standard-sized tires.

3. The Steps They Follow When Coating the Wheels

As you go about searching for a wheel plating service, take the time to talk to different companies and ask them what steps are involved in the process of plating or coating your wheels. The process will vary from company to company and can affect the durability and life span of the coating.

When you bring your car in, the repair shop will remove the tires and the rims. From there, the rims will need to be prepared for coating. This process typically consists of cleaning the rims, stripping away any existing metal and removing dings or dents.

After that, the wheels are coated. Some shops will hand dip the rim in the metal, while others will spray the rims. Some shops will layer on different metals to help strengthen and increase the life span of your coating, while others only use the metal material you select. The rim then dries after it has been coated.

Once the rim is dried, it is polished and buffed to make it shiny. The metal may then be coated to help protect it from water and other elements on the road. Learning what processes different companies offer will help you to decide which company to use.

4. The Length of the Warranty They Offer

The last factor that you should consider when you are looking for a wheel plating service is the length of the warranty they offer. A great wheel plating service will stand behind their work and offer a warranty. This warranty will protect against any discoloration, scratching, bubbling, chipping or peeling of the metal plating for a certain period of time.

Companies that are confident in the quality of their work tend to offer longer warranties. Be wary of companies that offer no warranty and do not stand behind their work.

When you are looking to have wheel plating services done on your vehicle, turn to Platinum Surface Coating. We can help make sure your wheels and rims shine now and well into the future.

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