Chrome 10 Spoke questions

[billcu]

I bought a set of chrome 10 spoke directionals.

One wheel has the typical bubbled and split chrome near the center. It looks like the aluminum corroded under the chrome and caused the split.

Is there any way to prevent this from happening to the other wheels? I've heard of putting grease on the center hole, but wouldn't that just trap moisture? Is there a sealer or paint that would be better?

Another wheel has what looks like stains on the chrome. It's still smooth and won't polish off (I don't like to use chrome polish unless it's really needed).

Does anyone have these stains or know what they are?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[steve]

RE: Chrome 10 Spoke questions

I put anti-seize on the back of mine were it meets the hub and in the hole.

Not sure about the stain, would need to see it.

 

[logres]

RE: Chrome 10 Spoke questions

The bubbling is a product of how well it was chrome plated. I used to work for American Racing Wheels. The chrome plating process involves dunking the wheel into around 40 different chemical baths, each with their own specified concentration, duration, and temperature. If any one of the hundreds of specs are out, the plating will have defects.