Chrome survey

[68X426]

So at last Saturday's show, a certain Brand X vehicle had chrome on every single square inch of its 289 motor and engine compartment (oops, I gave it away ). Nothing else had been done to the car, it wasn't quite restored nor quite original, just chrome. I don't think they even washed the rest of the car, they just had chrome. If they could have chromed the fan belt, they would have.

Question: what is is oddest / strangest part you have seen chromed?

I personally don't get chrome on shocks, but thats just me. So what have you seen that makes you cringe / laugh??

[Ghoste]

That's a tough one.  Overdone chrome like you describe is an obvious one but for me also I have to give equal blahs to things like a ratty engine compartment with a shiny new chrome master cylinder cover or conversely a nice eninge bay with a ratty chrome air cleaner.

[b5blue]

The chrome nut sack hangin from trucks they sell, explain that to your 4 year old kid!   

[68X426]

Someone just sent me this photo of a Mercedes. 

[TylerCharger69]

i'm not a big fan of chrome....as the addage says..."Chrome don't get you home".....well  I've seen someone...also a 289 engine  chrome the entire block...well...long story short, that thing was not driveable because all of the chrome caused a serious overheating issue.  Could only take it to shows and that was it.   To me...chrome is too hard to take care of....too high maintenance.  I prefer the dress up kits that sport the black wrinkle finish.  Easy to clean, and won't discolor with heat.   As far as the chrome nutsacks hanging from the back of pick-ups....well  that has to be the ugliest thing I have ever seen...(except maybe a turd)....And having to explain to your kids who ask..."What's that daddy?"   That, to me is someone who doesn't have a set of his own, not to mention has no brain  either.   I always wondered what the purpose of that was...and...do they make THOSE in a black wrinkle finish???

[mopar_nut_440_6]

Someone just sent me this photo of a Mercedes. 

I like it!

I do not like a lot of chrome on other parts though.

[speedfreak68]

I saw an all chrome harley on the way to sturgis and there was an all chrome lambo in the gumball..

[OneofNoneRT]

 

[PA Dodger]

It can be nice if done correctly and as part of the whole package but can be easily overdone. There was a red Chally at the Nats a few years ago. The owner put chrome trim around the entire underhood bracing along with chrome wire loom and battery box and master cylinder and.....    Way too much. Woulda been nicer in moderation.
But, I could definetly get into that chrome Cobra!!!
I built an engine for a friend of mine a while back. He wanted a chrome oil pan. Who's gonna see it? Who's gonna wax it? We put a nice gold Milodon pan on!
As far as the chrome nutsack goes,you need to ask the owner how much joy they get outa waxing the nuts.

[dkn1997]

I hate chrome

[Magnumcharger]

That Cobra isn't chromed, it's actually polished aluminum.
Check out this page:
http://www.kirkhammotorsports.com/

[Tilar]

and...do they make THOSE in a black wrinkle finish???

Yes, and they make them in flesh colored wrinkle finish.  Matter of fact, I have a set of flesh colored ones I bought as a prank. I haven't done it yet but one of the bus drivers at the local school will find them on her bus when she does her pretrip some morning and I plan on video recording it.   

[Mike DC]

 
For years there was a red '69 Daytona show car where the owner had chromed damn never everything that wasn't welded to the unibody.  I think the 8.75 axlehousing was even plated.

 

Chrome is more than just stupid in cases like that - it's dangerous.  Every time you do the plating process on a part it causes some amount of hydrogen embrittlement to the metal.  Bumpers are one thing but control arms & strut bars are something else.

That's one upside of the modern chrome paintjobs.  At least the metal isn't negatively affected by it.

     

[Khyron]

I use mosty aluminum, not chrome, I don't mind it, hints of it here and there, I have the usual chrome air cleaner... and...


hmmm, come to think of it, that's the only chrome... no wait, the water neck, the rest, black and aluminum.

[Mike DC]

 
Yeah, polished aluminum is cooler than chrome IMHO.  Easier to maintain & refinish in the long run. 

I just think aluminum also signals something more purpose-built.  Cars sprout chrome pieces purely for cosmetics, but they sprout aluminum components out of functional reasons more often.

 

[LeadfootBob]

There's a '70 chally convertible doing the rounds as a show car over here, he's got pretty much everything except the interior and the body panels chromed... including the Dana 60, the supercharged hemi and every single engine accessory stuck on it.
Stuck somewhere between "DAMN that's a sweet car" and plain gaudy... I like being able to pop the hood without wearing a welding mask, thankyaverymuch!  

[2Gunz]

Hate chrome.

Most the shiny stuff didnt make it back on my car,

[wayfast1500]

I wont even put chrome on my harley.  Its probably the only one in my area not covered in harley chrome accent pieces. 

[Charger440RDN]

To me the Lowriders are way over done with chrome, I can appreciate the time they put into these cars but chrome everything is over kill. Look at this engine. http://lowrider.automotive.com/93720/0810-lrmp-mid-mount-makeover-tech-project/index.html