Chrome Accessories Research Guide

Chrome Accessories Research Guide Glossary Terms

Chrome Accessories Research Guide Glossary Definitions

3M Adhesive Tape Return to Top
The Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company is most famous for the invention of Scotch Tape. 3M develops and manufacturers over 55,000 products, including all forms of adhesive tapes. The undisputed leader in adhesive technology, the 3M adhesives used for chrome overlays are the best on the market.
ABS Plastic Return to Top
ABS PlasticABS is short for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, which is the chemical name for this particular thermoplastic material. Besides being widely used for OEM and aftermarket automotive parts, ABS plastics are also used in pipes and golf club heads. Its rigidity, light weight and shock absorbency make ABS plastic an ideal material for manufacturing. Best of all, it is impervious to rust. An added benefit of ABS plastic is that you have the option of painting it to match or highlight your paintjob.
Billet Aluminum Return to Top
Billet is defined as a bar of metal; therefore, billet aluminum is just a chunk of aluminum. It's these chunks of metal that are cut, machined and polished into the beefy billet-aluminum accessories that add pizzazz to today's vehicles.
Chrome plating Return to Top
Chrome PlatingChrome plating is a finishing treatment utilizing a thin, decorative bright layer typically over an underlying nickel plate. The result is a brilliant, mirror-like reflectivity on all kinds of automotive trim. The downside to chrome plating is that the decorative layer can be chipped or peeled off over time.
Harley Earl Return to Top
Father of the most important automobile design innovations of the 20th century. Earl is credited with such milestones as the Corvette and tailfins. Most importantly, Earl was the first to make extensive use of chrome trim.
Mild steel Return to Top
Mild steelMild steel is a steel alloy with lowered requirements for metals typical of stainless alloys. While they are more corrosion-prone than stainless steel tubes, mild steel tubes are typically powder-coated to prevent corrosion or chrome-plated for appearance.
Stainless steel Return to Top
Stainless steelThis specialized steel alloy provides the strength of steel and outstanding corrosion resistance. Stainless steel generally includes higher nickel and/or chromium in the alloy mixture to eliminate rust worries. Plus, stainless steel can be polished to an incredible shine that rivals or outperforms the look of chrome plating.