Is California Banning Chrome Bumpers and Wheels on Custom Cars?

Sep 07, 2023

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When the news broke this week that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) could potentially ban hexavalent chromium, a chemical in the chrome-plating process, social media and beyond went to Defcon 2, screaming of "Restoration is dead! Custom cars are dead!"

Here's why HOT ROD isn't panicking.

Hexavalent chromium, also known as Cr(VI), chromium-6, or chrome-VI, is within the chromium element. It's mainly used in chrome plating, electroplating, and chromate painting, and even in stainless-steel production. It's how parts such as bumpers and rims—the brightwork, in other words—end up with a smooth coating and mirror-like finish. It's also a pigment in some paints and it helps with corrosion-resistance. It affects more than just cars; it's used for the landing gears on planes, outdoor grills, plumbing components, in aerospace, and in other industries, too.

The issue here isn't with the final product the consumer ends up with but with the chemical being released during the plating and anodizing processes, because those airborne emissions are toxic. Cr(VI) is a known carcinogen; exposure can cause cancer. In 1986, California formally labeled it a "toxic air contaminant." In fact, no level of exposure is considered safe. Do you remember the movie Erin Brockovich with Julia Roberts? It was based on a true story, and the chemical in question was hexavalent chromium.

We borrowed this explanation of the hexavalent chromium's journey from CARB: "Chrome plating is the process by which an electrical charge is applied to a plating bath containing an electrolytic salt (chromium anhydride) solution. The electrical charge causes the chromium metal in the bath to fall out of solution and deposit onto various objects (usually metallic) placed into the plating bath. The electrical charge during the chrome-plating process causes the hexavalent chromium to be emitted from the bath as an aerosol that, once emitted from the facility, can be inhaled and entrained inside the lungs."

CARB wants to ban use in decorative plating by January 2027, then ban hard plating and chromic acid anodizing by January 2039.

But this whole thing isn't actually new news, despite all the yelling. CARB has been transparent for years about its regulations related to reducing hexavalent chromium emissions out of concern not only for those with hands-on exposure, but also for the safety of communities and residences near the facilities producing them. CARB regulated emissions of "chrome plating and chromic acid anodizing" in 1988 and 1998, of "cooling towers" in 1989, of "motor vehicle and mobile-equipment-coating" in 2001, and of "thermal spraying" in 2004. CARB anticipated these precautions could reduce cancer risk by 85 percent. In 2018, they amended the Hexavalent Chromium Airborne Toxic Control Measure for Chrome Plating and Chromic Acid Anodizing Operations (Chrome Plating ATCM) policy, pushing for further emissions reductions.

The concerns over hexavalent chromium aren't unique to the United States. Europe is also planning a ban. So, what defines a successful alternative? Obviously, it will involve kindness to the environment and safer conditions for the people affected. But it also must be a suitable replacement for legacy processes, and can't disappoint in quality or color results. To this end, trivalent chromium has been experimented with, and there's been talk of tungsten carbide substitute. The final CARB vote will happen in May, and if it moves forward, funds will be allocated to assist with industry transition, since replacing equipment could be a financial challenge for all involved in the chrome-plating business.

The bottom line: We don't think that this ban will lead to the destruction of the restoration and custom vehicle hobby. It's a work in progress and unlikely to be the beginning of the end. Hot-rodding has survived far worse in terms of government intervention.

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