SS1 Chrome?

69'442 · September 18th, 2009, 07:06 AM

I am restoring a set of 1970 ( I think) SS1's. Are the five spokes chrome or polished steel. They are not as shiny as the chrome on a bumper. I was told by a guy I should polish them out with red scotch brite. I don't want to ruin them. What have you guys used on this to make them look better? Are these 70. They have D 14X7 -JJ 878 M4 on the side and M4 4 23 LZ by the valve hole. Thanks

wmachine · September 18th, 2009, 07:24 AM

They are chrome, but are bead-blasted (or such) because the areas in between the spokes are painted black. Back in '66 when they started making SSIs, they found the black paint wasn't sticking to the chrome centers. So they started to blast the centers to dull the chrome a bit to get the paint to stick.
Sounds like you got some bad advice.

69'442 · September 18th, 2009, 09:34 AM

Thanks Kurt, I figured that scotch brite wouldn't be good. I will just polish them up the best I can.
Bob

442Harv · September 18th, 2009, 03:05 PM

On chrome I use fine steel wool and polish.

My442 · September 18th, 2009, 04:31 PM

I believe the chrome on SS1 wheels is a process called flash chrome, which has a less shiny finish.

Use autosol and very fine steel wool to clean the spokes.

stlbluesbrother · September 18th, 2009, 08:24 PM

I just refurbished a 1970 SSI wheel today - B 14x7 JJ 878. Last week I refurbished 4 with the stamp C 14x7 JJ 878. It was quite a undertaking, but I have the process down pretty good.

Anyway, I used Wadding Polish (by Eagle One) to clean the chrome. Then, for good measure I applied Chrome Polish (paste) also by Eagle One. The chrome shined up nicely for being 39 years old.

wmachine · September 19th, 2009, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by My442

I believe the chrome on SS1 wheels is a process called flash chrome, which has a less shiny finish.
Use autosol and very fine steel wool to clean the spokes.

Very well could be. I know when they first started the (call it) "satin" finish in '66, they took the existing regular chome finish and media blasted them to dull the finish to get the finish to stick. It is entirely possible that the process to finish the centers changed over the years.
I have a number of SSI wheels over the years thru '69 to compare (including some early '66 wheels that have bright chrome centers), but I don't have any '70s (or '71s) to look at.

September 18th, 2009, 07:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
69'442 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NY Posts: 47	SS1 Chrome? I am restoring a set of 1970 ( I think) SS1's. Are the five spokes chrome or polished steel. They are not as shiny as the chrome on a bumper. I was told by a guy I should polish them out with red scotch brite. I don't want to ruin them. What have you guys used on this to make them look better? Are these 70. They have D 14X7 -JJ 878 M4 on the side and M4 4 23 LZ by the valve hole. Thanks

September 18th, 2009, 07:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
wmachine Trying to remember member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,467	They are chrome, but are bead-blasted (or such) because the areas in between the spokes are painted black. Back in '66 when they started making SSIs, they found the black paint wasn't sticking to the chrome centers. So they started to blast the centers to dull the chrome a bit to get the paint to stick. Sounds like you got some bad advice. __________________ Kurt http://wmachines.shubes.net

September 18th, 2009, 08:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
stlbluesbrother Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 68	I just refurbished a 1970 SSI wheel today - B 14x7 JJ 878. Last week I refurbished 4 with the stamp C 14x7 JJ 878. It was quite a undertaking, but I have the process down pretty good. Anyway, I used Wadding Polish (by Eagle One) to clean the chrome. Then, for good measure I applied Chrome Polish (paste) also by Eagle One. The chrome shined up nicely for being 39 years old. __________________ 1970 Cutlass Supreme convertible

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September 18th, 2009, 09:34 AM	#3 (permalink)
69'442 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NY Posts: 47	Thanks Kurt, I figured that scotch brite wouldn't be good. I will just polish them up the best I can. Bob

September 18th, 2009, 03:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
442Harv Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 119	On chrome I use fine steel wool and polish.

September 18th, 2009, 04:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
My442 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 204	I believe the chrome on SS1 wheels is a process called flash chrome, which has a less shiny finish. Use autosol and very fine steel wool to clean the spokes.