the cheap chrome stuff will rust unless you are out there wacing it once a week or so no joke, been there done that.
I even tried chromed alum. that ended up corroding under the chrome and peeling, and that was an air cleaner.
Aluminum, or painted parts is the way to go IMO.
I love chrome but chrome plated steel rusts and alum, flakes.
Aluminum has to be polished and is a good bit of work but my next build that's what I want to go for polished alum. and painted stuff. You can get a mother powerball or power cone to aid in polishing and if you buy new should be able to keep it looking good.
I had some really nice polished alum valve covers I bought used for cheap but they were never as nice as new.
I like to try and hide wires as well and make it all nice and clean.
These pics are of those used alum. valve covers and that chromed alum, air cleaner top that flaked off, I sanded it and used some filler primer and then some auto paint over it.
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