12 replies to this topic

[feeenix14]

this is probably being posted in the wrong area but just after peoples opinions on this.

 

i need some headlamp rings and I'm getting fed up of replacing them in a short space of time due to rust spots coming through. My car is kept garaged for fricks sake but it still keeps coming through !!

 

i thought stainless steel was the better option because it didnt rust ? but i thought it would be more expensive ?

 

i went on to mini spares and they have 3 different types

 

stainless steel (the cheapest)

 

original rover - chrome over brass i think (most expensive by far)

and aftermarket - chrome over steel

 

(although i may have mixed those 2 up)

 

am i right in thinking the cheapest ones (stainless steel) wont rust as badly/quickly ?

 

or am i retarded and got everything mixed up ?

 

please feel free to lecture/correct me

 

thanks

 

Sam

[TehMarchant]

Have you looked at Autosol metal polish, It will get rust spots of in seconds, it is wonderful stuff!

[GTIAlex06]

Try coating the underside in waxoyl

[Mini_Alex]

Stainless steel is much less likely to rust and there are chances it will never rust. If you have to keep replacing them I'm guessing the chroming quality is rubbish, don't always buy cheap.

[Fast Ivan]

In the right conditions even stainless will corrode. How long the stainless ones last depends on the stainless used. Ask them what spec it is then google it. That said, if they are the cheapest by far then why not give them a go?

[Midas Mk1]

When i bought Minispares stainless rings, they were too big..... got chrome on brass ones now , better quality :)

Edited by Midas Mk1, 15 May 2013 - 04:38 PM.

[a_woolhouse]

Chromes alright as long as it's constantly cleaned, my stainless bumpers did alright during winter not a rust spot on them as already said try coating them in waxoyl :)

[mab01uk]

Stainless is much more resistant to rust but not quite as bright and shiny as good chrome........however the quality of todays chrome is far inferior to original 1960's chrome, all to do with cost and the overheads of health and safety + pollution issues with the process. Most modern car chrome trim /badges are on plastic mouldings so no rust problems.

[944turbo]

Hi Sam I have also had this problem,the best solution I found was as another member has stated give the insides a real good coating of wax oil,my sons had stainless steel rims and they looked fine but not as good as chrome looks.You could take the better option and buy a pair of the stainless steel inner rims from mini spares,a good set of chromed outer rims wax oil them up and forget about them rusting up for some time.This is what I have done to my sons car and we show the car,it lives outside not in a garage and it has gone through this winter and they still look like new,hope this is of help to you.

[AVV IT]

As above really, stainless lasts longer but doesn't polish up as well. If you want the best of both worlds, then go for decent quality chrome items and look after them. But it also depends on what you use the car for. If its a show car/weekend toy then go for chrome, but if it's a daily drive used all year round then I'd stick with stainless personally.

[mk1leg]

try these people   http://www.holden.co...pgName=Lighting

they have a huge range of stuff

[feeenix14]

Yowzer !! i didn't expect this many replies.

 

ok, my plan is to go and get some metal polish and see how good i can get them looking now, and failing that order the stainless ones to save me the hassle in future.

 

thanks for all the help though people, much appreciated

[WMU 211G]

I've been thinking about this myself this week as I bought a set of new old stock chrome overiders for my car at Himley on Sunday, I had intended to buy a complete bumper / overider kit in stainless steel but the shine on the items I bought is fantastic, especially compared to the s/steel bumpers I looked at on various trader's stalls. Because I know my car will always be garaged I'm sticking with the chrome, but as has been helpfuly suggested above I'll give them a coating of waxoyl underneath before fitting them to the car. Likewise with the new headlamp rings I'll be needing.

 

I used to use Silvo for polishing very old chrome but ran out and can't find anymore - will have to try that Autosol stuff!

 

Great forum this - glad I joined