'Chrome clad' rims....WTH?

[carnut65]

So I get some curb rash and when I take a look it appears as though these 20" 'chrome clad' rims have a covering/shell which looks like it would just peel off!

Can these rims be repaired?

 

[rick chitown]

Yeah, buy a new hub cap and watch out for curbs... This has been discussed over the past few years and while originally I too thought WTF (or wth, whichever), you really can't blame ford for trying to save a few bucks. My '10 Limited has the 20" chrome-clad, and really they look just fine.

And, cannot comment for sure, but heard the wheel underneath are actually aluminum, so maybe it wasn't a cost-saving measure... Who knows.

 

[rick chitown]

Prob no help as to whether or not it can repaired though, huh? Sorry...

 

[justin]

All the ones ive seen were aluminum underneath. If i had to guess why they do that. I would say probably because the chrome finish on the plastic part requires less maintenance and will appear chrome longer. They prabably are cheaper as well because less effort goes into making the aluminum part of the wheel look perfect.
I took the clad off a Dodge 20" rim to scrap it and the aluminum had a dull and ruff appearance.

 

[Stoned06]

The plastic cladding will last longer than an actual chromium cladding due to corrosion. The only downside (which you have just found out) is repairing the plastic cladding is not simple (or even possible?). It is a cost savings to Ford, but only in the warranty coverage of the actual chrome rims that had issues with peeling a few years ago. I had 2 of my 20" chrome Harley F150 rims replaced under warranty in '05, and those rims retailed for $1200 a pop.

 

[rick chitown]

Holy cow!! $1200 for a hubcap!!!?????

 

[Chris08LTD]

Bought a set of these with tires from Discount Tire. My wife curb rashed both wheels on the right side. Got tired of looking at it. They are about the same price of just buying 2 Chrome Clads from the stealership.

 

[smo0othride]

you can buy lincoln navigator rims that are real chrome for around 600 on ebay (all 4) and if you want you can replace the center caps with chrome ford caps instead of the lincoln symbol.