Stainless Steel automotive products versus Chromed automotive products? This question is asked of us probably more than any other when we deal with products such as Nerf Bars, Grill Guards, Bull Bars and Door Handle covers. What is the difference? Will one hold up better than the other? What are the warranties? There is a difference between these. In this guide we will try to explain the difference and he pros and cons of each type product.

First of all a little metallurgy. Stainless Steel is an alloy or mixture of metals. The grade of stainless is dependant on the amount of chromium and nickel in the mix. Stainless steel, once polished will look just like a chromed product, bright and shinny. Stainless will hold this look indefinitely as long as it is taken care of. Most scratches can be polished out with very minimal work. Stainless product cost usually 2 to 3 times what a chromed product will cost, this is due to the manufacturers cost of stainless steel being very high.

Chrome on the other hand is a plating process that is placed over a base material. In the automotive industry base materials range fron steel to aluminum and even ABS plastic. Chroming will peal off in time due to the fact that it is plated on and not part of the metal or base material itself. On a metal based product that has been chromed, if the chrome gets chipped or a good scratch rust will begin to form below the chrome plating releasing it fron the base metal. This is where chroming will start to peal. Chrome products though, usually cost much less than stainless products.

Should you buy Stainless Steel or Chrome? Well this really depends on 3 factors.

1. Where on the vehicle is the product placed? Typically if the product is at or below the door handles it will take the most beating. Being scratched or chipped from basic road debris will do some damage here.

2. What is the climate where the product will be used? Chroming is very susceptible to salt used in colder climates on the roads. The salt will cut down the life of a chromed product immensely but will not affect the stainless product.

3. What is the warranty on the product? Most stainless products have a lifetime warranty due the the fact that the manufacturers know that stainless can withstand just about anything thrown at it. Chrome products normally will have between a 2 and 3 year warranty. Again, the manufacturers understand that the elements alone are going to deteriorate this material.

Wether to purchase a stainless or chrome product is a personal and sometimes a monetary choice. We hope the information that we have shown above will help you make your decision. In no way are we saying that chrome products are bad or cheap, if they are manufactured correctly and taken care of they will last a long, long time. Some stainless products are even chromed for luster.

Appearance of the products, if manufactured correctly should be the same. You should be able to mix chromed and stainless products on your vehicle and not be able to tell the difference. Beware though, on some lower grade chrome products you will notice almost a yellow color in the chroming. Those products will not last. Being in the sun and the elements will destroy them.