I have Cragar SS rims on my car that came with it when I bought it so I don't know how old they are. The rims in the rear are having their chrome plating chipping off really bad especially around where the wheel attaches to the drum. I'm guessing this is because of the heat generated by the drum. I really like the look of them so I would like to replace them with new (and wider) Crager SS's but I'm afraid they'll do the same thing. Is this common for these rims?

The chrome peeling is common after about 5 years. I don't think it is from heat just weather.

I have Cragar SS rims on my car that came with it when I bought it so I don't know how old they are.

I guess that's the most important question. Those rims have been around forever, so they might be 25-30 years old.

Seems to me that it doesn't matter what brand they are. Eventually, the chrome will pretty much always chip around the lug nuts and around the outer perimeter, and it will spread over the years. I have seen this happen on many different wheels and would think that Cragar won't be any worse than others, but certainly not an exception.

But then again, I have bought brand new lug nuts where I was able to peel the chrome of with my bare fingers. Even happened on my way home from the store once, a friend was driving while I was inspecting my shiny new lug nuts. The chrome came off like a strip of tape, all the way around. :sad:

I think Cragar now has a polished aluminum 5 spoke SS rim. Might be a little more pricey though. :beers:

the problem is that center piece is actually cast aluminum so the chrome doesn't stick as well