Heat-fighting, chrome popularity define stack trends

by James Jaillet

Tube Specialties' Thermal Armor Stacks

To accommodate truck owners and operators who want the beauty of the chrome and the performance of a legal, quality exhaust system, chrome technology is steadily advancing and manufacturers are devoting resources to developing new chroming methods to prevent chrome wear and bluing.

Lincoln Industries’ entity Lincoln Chrome released its NeverBlue chrome stacks at the beginning of this year to help prevent chrome stacks from discoloring.

Lincoln’s Darren Parker says the NeverBlue technology is a multi-stage process, starting with a base material upgrade. The top layer of the steel is then removed via polishing processes. Two modern plating processes apply the chrome.

“Don’t think chrome is going away anytime soon,” Parker said. “It’s still what drivers want.”

Tube Specialties Company has also upgraded their heat-beating technology for their chrome products this year as we.

Steve Yoder, Tube Specialties’ engineering manager, says their Thermal Armor stacks use technology invented by NASA to harden chrome to a point where heat can’t affect it.

“It’s designed to withstand high temperatures. That

was the original intent of [the technology],” Yoder said. “It creates a barrier, and the chrome will not turn blue, gold or brown.”

Yoder said he’s noticed a trend recently of drivers moving away from wanting chrome. “You don’t have to give it up,” Yoder said. “You just have to find the right stuff.”

Parker, however, said chrome products at Lincoln Industries are still popular.

“We live and breathe chrome,” Parker says. “We’re fascinated and excited about where it’s going. We have fun with the drivers — as far as chrome goes, it speaks specifically about the driver and about the driver’s rig.”