<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ViperCrazy:
"HI to all" Alright let the fun begin I just bought a 96GTS 16k mile car and i'm looking foward to meeting and chatting with everyone on message board alright now to some ????? for the experts i want to chrome dip the factory wheels any unforeseen problems in doing this ????#2 what about EBC green brake pads do they work in reducing brake dust???? Oh Yeah I LOVE MY VIPER my face is sore from smiling so much.
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Chroming causes hydrogen embrittlement on the surface of the metal - this makes it less resistant to flexing and can cause the wheel to crack... in other words it would be weaker than it was in factory form.
Hyrdrogen embrittlement can be eliminated by baking the chromed part, but it must be done QUICKLY after the part is chromed and it must be done very carefully (at the right temperature and for the right amount of time).
For show parts (like a gas cap or A/C knobs) hydrogen embrittlement isn't an issue because they are not structural parts. But for something like your wheels, you want it done right. The older 1996 wheels are a bit weaker anyways than 1997 which are weaker still than 1998, but this is only really an issue on the track.
If you get them chromed, ask the shop about hydrogen embrittlement. If they look at you like you're crazy, go somewhere else. if they say it's not an issue, go somewhere else. if the chromers eyes light up and he starts telling you all about how he handles the problem, then you can probably trust him
Oh, and welcome to the board!
You know what would look nice on a blue/white GTS? highly polished then anodized clear wheels with blue anodized centercaps.
Or maybe it's just me