Actually even the german ones rust out on the new ones.  I had a local
chrome shop look at some and he said it isnt just the coating that is
thinner, it is porous as well. Then add to that it is the base metal content
as well.  He said products like that are why his business has actually been
increasing now after years of decline.  I didn�t take any orig up to him to
compare to and never did get back up there, but he suspected that the orig
may not be chromed but a form of stainless stamping like he has seen on
quite a few other vehicles from that era.

Anybody know of a nondestructive test?

jimt

On 6/1/05 9:28 AM, "JordanVw@AOL.COM" <JordanVw@AOL.COM> wrote:

> In a message dated 6/1/05 11:12:13 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
> rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM writes:
> 
> 
>> . The caps on my vanagon that I
>> use also rusted the same ammount(lots).Where can a poor boy find these caps
>> that dont rust?
>> 
> 
> the only chrome moonies youll find that dont rust are the original german OEM
> ones.   all the brazillian crap that some of the new  parts vendors sell,
> they hold up as well as the aftermarket bumpers.. the chrome isnt triple
> plated,
> and it wont even last a winter.
> 
> BTDT.. id rather have 20 yr old OEM hubcaps with a few fist dings in them
> from smacking them on (its inevitable) than some new brazillian ones..
> 
> 
> 
> 
> chris
> 
>