This article appeared online today. It may not happen in the next decade but it will likely happen. https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/14/cars/chrome-cars-stellantis-jeep-volkswagen-vw/index.html
One for the doom scrollers. Hexavalent chrome has been banned in Europe for ovet a decade yet you. can still get parts chromed. It's not the only process. Also incorrect to say hexavalent chromed parts are completly safe after plating.
As the article says, there are substitutes but they look more yellow. I'm not aware of a substitute that gives the exact same appearance of the chrome we've grown up with. I'm not doom saying, just reporting the news.
It's specificaly chrome 6. There is also chrome 3 which is also the same colour. Chrome 6 is harder and is needed for wear surfaces such as shock absorber parts. Chrome 3 can be used for trim. The auto industry has been transitioning from chrome for over a decade with chrome effect plastics for trim. They had dispensation for chrome 6 for wear resistant parts for a limited time. The article is full of inaccuracies but that's news nowadays.
Doesn’t make much difference, everything you do in one way or another causes cancer. Living causes dying. Not that I’m pushing for anyone to get that horrid disease… Personally, I hate the “ murdered out look”. It’s as stupid to me as the Carolina squat. Everything needs some contrast to show the details. A little strip of shiny metal or plastic goes a long way. Could be polished stainless or aluminum instead of plated. Something to break up all that color, even another paint color. My 99 F150 has a narrow chrome strip in both bumpers, a chromed probably plastic name badge, and chromed aluminum wheels. That’s all from Ford, but I did put on a set of polished stainless steps. Any more would be too much IMHO. It does also have a small twin gold pinstripe, again just enough to break up the color. Suits me fine.
There is very little 'news' available nowadays. Pretty much all that is available is agenda driven propaganda.
Much too pricey for my wallet beyond a few latches & fasteners for accent, something like a grille shell would need to be a well-preserved S.S. unit or receive the paint treatment.
Guys are cheap…. Chrome is expensive. I personally don’t like “monochromatic” a made up word for “I’m not wanting to pay for the chrome I really want” or other trim parts painted some off color metallic dark gray or silver. My opinion yours may differ..
Chrome has long been dead for me! Way way out of my reach budget wise. Automotive paint is a close second. It's as if there's a secret underground government agency doing everything they can to price me right out of my hobby. I might eventually be driving clear coated bare metal cars...
I like some amount of chrome on my cars , bumpers, door handles, some engine accessories etc. but it is getting very expensive. Dan
I ought to move to Alaska and open an igloo shaped building to plate parts, call it the Nome Dome Home of Chrome.
Worst case scenario is we have to ship our parts to some country in Asia where some 12 year old will plate it in his bath tub.
We would welcome you with open arms! The only chrome shop we ever had here closed down bout 25-30 years ago. The cost to ship parts to & back from the real world on top of the plating cost makes it hard to justify!
The Stellantis article is about new cars, but chrome has been absent on them for the most part for years now. There are many other consumer items that are chromed (bathroom faucets comes to mind) so the industry isn't going away just yet.
The Jalopy Journal
