shiggins Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 Just took delivery of our new 2011 Limited with the standard 18" "chrome clad" rims. :soapbox: Let me first state that I've always thought that chrome rims were the USA's gift to tacky automobile add ons....basically our version of fart can mufflers......wait though, didn't we invent the fake hood scoop too? Anyway, definitely not something I wanted on a vehicle, but at least the spoke design was tolerable versus the 20" optional rims. So anyway, my wife and I weren't excited about them to begin with, but little did I realize until I got it home that they were nothing but basically plastic chrome covered hubcaps over aluminum rims. WTF? On a $40k vehicle this is considered acceptable? This is my first US manufacturer car since a used 1986 Buick back in college so I guess I'm a bit naive to the tacky cheap tricks that are now used for "upscale" bling on premium trim levels. Granted, after two days of ownership I love the Edge, how it drives, My Touch, and most everything else about it, but it just shocks me that I now have a $40k vehicle with glorified tacky chrome plastic hubcaps stuck on rims. I've been researching Edges for a couple years now and some how managed to completely miss the fact that premium "chrome clad" rims meant that Ford bonds on a cheap plastic chrome hubcap. To me, no use of plastic on rims would be the premium version but I guess I'm obviously behind the times. Shame on me I guess. I haven't decided if I'll point it out to my wife or let her live in blissful ignorance in thinking it's all metal. Well, the good news is they'll likely be regulated to winter tire duty next winter with a new set of tasteful non "chrome clad" aluminum rims and summer tires for the non snow months. On a side note, now if I could just find some nice after market quality carpet floor mats to replace the stock ones that don't protect the carpets as much as I'd like.........anyone have any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cal3thousand Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 (edited) This does not excite me as the model I have in mind comes with 20" Chrome Clads for mats, Weather Tech is a good company. And made is the US of A. Edited March 23, 2011 by cal3thousand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fathead Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 It gets worse. I have had mine since October and the paint on every single wheel has already began to peel. I don't think the wheels look that bad, but it is pretty ridiculous to have chrome clad wheels on such an expensive vehicle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 When done correctly chrome clad wheels are lighter and more durable than chrome plated steel wheels because they use aluminum wheels and they don't pit over time. Unfortunately it's a relatively new technology and there have been issues with peeling. But it's definitely not a case of cheapness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igcitng Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 I walked into them blindly when I bought my 2008. Sure are pretty when they are clean but they are hard to keep that way, it is a lot of work to care for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbonedge+ Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 I've had the 18" chrome clads on my '07 since new and I haven't any problems with them. As far as cleaning, they've been the easiest wheels to clean; I just use a rag and the same soapy mix I use on the vehicle. No peeling, popping or anything...maybe I've been too easy on them...no, that can't be it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThinLine Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 When done correctly chrome clad wheels are lighter and more durable than chrome plated steel wheels because they use aluminum wheels and they don't pit over time. Unfortunately it's a relatively new technology and there have been issues with peeling. But it's definitely not a case of cheapness. "new technology".....?? Ford and other manufacturers have been doing this for fifteen years now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 "new technology".....?? Ford and other manufacturers have been doing this for fifteen years now. I don't recall chrome clad aluminum wheels being sold by Ford fifteen years ago. Examples? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waldo Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 If you think about the functions/attributes of a wheel: 1. Help the tire hold up the car. 2. Look good 3. Look good for a long time 4. Lightweight The chrome-clad wheel can do all of those things equal to or better than a pure chrome wheel, while costing significantly less. Time to join the 21st century and realize that it's all in your head, just because you think it's an inferior technology doesn't mean it is. FYI, I do believe that the 2007 Edge was Ford's first use of a chrome-clad wheel. I remember the 2006 Zephyr came out with a real chrome wheel, and there were huge warranty issues with stains, chips and such. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Hudnut Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 I had some real chrome plated aluminum wheels on my old 1993 Ford Probe GT. I got rid of the car in 2000 but by that time the chrome was peeling off of them very badly. My theory is that the cladding does not corrode or oxidize as chrome plated aluminum would. so hey, if its more durable then I'm all for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbonedge+ Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 FYI, I do believe that the 2007 Edge was Ford's first use of a chrome-clad wheel. I remember the 2006 Zephyr came out with a real chrome wheel, and there were huge warranty issues with stains, chips and such. I could be mistaken, but I believe they may have been on the 2006 Explorers and maybe even F150. I recall looking at these on a dealer's lot prior to buying my Edge in 2006 (and prior to any Edges being on the lot; but those could have been early release 2007 models.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOEHIO Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 (edited) I could be mistaken, but I believe they may have been on the 2006 Explorers and maybe even F150. I recall looking at these on a dealer's lot prior to buying my Edge in 2006 (and prior to any Edges being on the lot; but those could have been early release 2007 models.) Yeah, it's just plastic over aluminum, which my '06 Explorer Limited has, but after 5 + years, they still look like brand new ! No peeling, pitting, discoloration, absolutely NOTHING wrong with them. Edited March 24, 2011 by JOEHIO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnd01 Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 I didn't realize what "chrome-clad" meant until I got my 11 MKX home. I was disappointed to say the least when I found out it meant "hubcaps". I guess I should have asked first. I applied Powerlock sealant on them right away last November hoping to keep them nice over the Minnesota winter. Just last weekend while using Poorboys S&W all over to get the winter grime off I noticed that the "chrome" (krome?) looks stained with darker brown/gray radial streaks already. Grrr. I found real chrome wheels online that look similar to what is on the MKX for about $265 per wheel, and it made me wonder how much the replacement plastic krome-klad OEM hubcaps cost. has anyone priced them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radicon Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 (edited) The 18" chrome clad wheels cost around $800.00 per wheel from Ford. I brushed up next to a storm drain while parking my 2011 edge within a month of owning it. I have not replaced it yet, too expensive in my book. If the wheel would have been solid metal, I could have had it repaired by one of the local shops in town. Everyone has commented on how much they like the look of the chrome clad wheels on my 2011, but I prefer the painted aluminum wheels on my 2008. Easier to keep clean in my opinion and I never got a scratch on them. Edited March 24, 2011 by radicon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gooder2121 Posted March 25, 2011 Report Share Posted March 25, 2011 I too have a 2011 Edge AWD with those stupid chrome hub-caps that no one tells you about. I have owned this vehicle for 3 months now and will NEVER again buy a Ford. Nothing but problems with this piece of sh**. Anybody reading this............RUNNNNN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richy Posted March 25, 2011 Report Share Posted March 25, 2011 I didn't realize what "chrome-clad" meant until I got my 11 MKX home. I was disappointed to say the least when I found out it meant "hubcaps". I guess I should have asked first. I applied Powerlock sealant on them right away last November hoping to keep them nice over the Minnesota winter. Just last weekend while using Poorboys S&W all over to get the winter grime off I noticed that the "chrome" (krome?) looks stained with darker brown/gray radial streaks already. Grrr. I found real chrome wheels online that look similar to what is on the MKX for about $265 per wheel, and it made me wonder how much the replacement plastic krome-klad OEM hubcaps cost. has anyone priced them? I have had the same stains on my MKX too. P21s metal soap polish did not get rid of them. It took Collinite Metal polish and a mf to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamers1 Posted March 25, 2011 Report Share Posted March 25, 2011 I had the chrome clad on my 2008 Edge and again now on my 2011 Edge. I can tell you that you should not allow brake dust to sit on them too long. I went a couple months without washing it and the brake dust ate away at the chrome coating. I will not let the 2011 go unwashed for that long this time. I don't mind the chrome clad but also think a polished aluminum option would have been nice too. Polished aluminum doesn't have the same bling factor but still looks nicer than painted aluminum. By the way, I opted for the 20" painted aluminum rims on my 2011 Explorer because I like the design over the 20" Polished aluminum rims. Plus they come standard on the Limited anyway. Also, think of chrome clad rim like a women with breast impants, they look great and you think they are real until you touch them. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cal3thousand Posted March 25, 2011 Report Share Posted March 25, 2011 Does this mean that they should be somewhat repairable / serviceable? How hard would it be to replace the plastic parts? how is it bonded? Anyone know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted March 26, 2011 Report Share Posted March 26, 2011 Does this mean that they should be somewhat repairable / serviceable? How hard would it be to replace the plastic parts? how is it bonded? Anyone know? They're hard to repair from what I've heard. They don't come apart - they're permanently bonded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steverc Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 The 18" chrome clad wheels cost around $800.00 per wheel from Ford. I brushed up next to a storm drain while parking my 2011 edge within a month of owning it. I have not replaced it yet, too expensive in my book. If the wheel would have been solid metal, I could have had it repaired by one of the local shops in town. Everyone has commented on how much they like the look of the chrome clad wheels on my 2011, but I prefer the painted aluminum wheels on my 2008. Easier to keep clean in my opinion and I never got a scratch on them. I have a 18''x 8 10 spoke chrome clading Great condition off of a 2011 Ford Edge let me know if that one works heres my e-mail Ami_2L84u2@yahoo.com put edge rim in the subject line... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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