chrome rings

[bentvalves]

what color is a true chrome ring? I was always under the impression they would look like a shiny chrome bumper, but apparently this is not the case I am being told. A steel, gas nitrided upper ring will have this shiny "chrome" appearance apparently?

and a true chrome ring (designed to have the ability to ingest dirt/sand) will have a reddish brown appearance?

can any speedtalkers shed some light on this subject for me?

[Walter R. Malik]

what color is a true chrome ring? I was always under the impression they would look like a shiny chrome bumper, but apparently this is not the case I am being told. A steel, gas nitrided upper ring will have this shiny "chrome" appearance apparently?

and a true chrome ring (designed to have the ability to ingest dirt/sand) will have a reddish brown appearance?

can any speedtalkers shed some light on this subject for me?

The O.E.M. chrome thick rings I have seen in the past were dull silver.

[modok]

the chromed part is chrome in color. Hard chrome may have grainy texture. I'm sure you have seen it before, on hydraulic shock rods and so forth.
Only the part that contacts the cylinder is plated, I suspect the "red" you are seeing is on the other sides of the ring.

[fabr]

The grainy texture I was told many years ago was to facilitate the chrome being able to seat into the bore. I have no idea if that is correct .

[engineguyBill]

"Industrial" chrome plating, as found on piston rings and crankshaft journals, is a dull silver color. It is not shiny chrome like the bumper on your '57 Chevy.