Topic: Chroming

[thelowmax]

My exhaust flanges (among other things) are in rough shape and I was wondering if anybody had an idea what it costs to have an item rechromed.  What is the best strategy to getting the most for your dollar, I.e., prep.  I'm assuming size and quantity are major factors.

[malcolmgb]

In my experience with chromers do not try and prep just remove grease and dirt, if you put any grind marks into the metal they will either tell you they cannot do it or charge more to polish them out.

[tlbranth]

Check with this outfit:

http://www.ogdenchrome.com/

[gonzobrian]

Check with this outfit:

http://www.ogdenchrome.com/

I'll second Ogden Chrome.  They recently did a great job on some 750 parts I sent them.  You can take a pick and email them and they will give you an estimate.  They will pay for shipping both ways and once they get your parts give you the actual cost.  I used them over the winter and turn around time was 3 months so if you are in a hurry you might check around.  I would bet they slow down in the summer and it would not take that long but you would have to ask.

[wardenerd]

Brown's plating.  This is their slow season so turnaround was only 3 days.  Part that was pitted and about 9" by 9" was 52.00 plus shipping one way.  They were running a 15% off special for August. Beautiful work and great customer service.  Brown's plating Paduca, Ky

[MCRider]

Brown's plating.  This is their slow season so turnaround was only 3 days.  Part that was pitted and about 9" by 9" was 52.00 plus shipping one way.  They were running a 15% off special for August. Beautiful work and great customer service.  Brown's plating Paduca, Ky

Yeah I've used Brown's several times. Surely there are others with competitive pricing etc., but Brown's has proven themselves to me. Turnaround on local (Indy) platers was months. Ship a 100+ miles down the road to Brown's, and turnaround less than 2 weeks. They made some mistakes but always bent over to make them right. Not cheap though.

[lrutt]

I have to say, on the flanges, I had mine rechromed at Browns but they rusted again in no time. I think I'd go the jet hot route next time around IMO. If you are talking about those fined colars they just don't seem to chrome well. I think the jet hot high lustre silver would be the ticket for those though.

[Stev-o]

As stated, chome is expensive these days. About 2 years ago, I got an estimate to rechome my front fender - $200.
Said no thanks and bought another instead.

Powdercoating may be a better choice if youre on a budget but if you love chrome, there is no substitute.

[MCRider]

I have to say, on the flanges, I had mine rechromed at Browns but they rusted again in no time. I think I'd go the jet hot route next time around IMO. If you are talking about those fined colars they just don't seem to chrome well. I think the jet hot high lustre silver would be the ticket for those though.

Did you tell Brown's about it?

Still you are right those parts are notoriously hard to get a finish to stick. Rough as a cob and gets real hot. I had mine done with Exhaust Ceramic Coat at the powder coaters. But haven't tested them yet.

[malcolmgb]

Brown's plating.  This is their slow season so turnaround was only 3 days.  Part that was pitted and about 9" by 9" was 52.00 plus shipping one way.  They were running a 15% off special for August. Beautiful work and great customer service.  Brown's plating Paduca, Ky

3 days turnaround sounds a bit fast, I thought the acid bath alone would have taken at least that. Was it triple plated or just nickel/chrome?

[MCRider]

Brown's plating.  This is their slow season so turnaround was only 3 days.  Part that was pitted and about 9" by 9" was 52.00 plus shipping one way.  They were running a 15% off special for August. Beautiful work and great customer service.  Brown's plating Paduca, Ky

3 days turnaround sounds a bit fast, I thought the acid bath alone would have taken at least that. Was it triple plated or just nickel/chrome?

ITs like 7 layers. Click here for a video of the process: http://www.brownsplating.com/

I had a box with them recently. They were short staffed so it sat several days. Ronnie called me to clarify an issue, then said we are starting it today. Within 3 more days, I had my stuff.

[wardenerd]

as I remember they received  a them on Monday and shipped back to me on Friday. got the full treatment

[thelowmax]

This is a real old thread but I have been still working on the finish of my bike and have even considered chroming the frame. Though, I'm sure it will be cost prohibitive, I have still sent out estimate requests to several companies. I'll post when I get them. But, after MUCh thought and research into the pros and cons of cost and finish, ultimately, what I more than likely will do is get the DOHC version of their exhaust flanges (which are made of aluminum) and simply strip to bare metal and polish it. In fact, I started stripping the frame to prep for chroming and realized if I went a little bit further, I could polish the bare metal to an almost mirror finish. I'm thinking this will be the easiest and cheapest, and in my opinion, will be the coolest set of wheels I've ever owned.

Here's the start of the frame polishing. Yes. It's an Amen Savior frame.

[seanbarney41]

That will look #$%*ing sweet!  ...but man, have not seen any clearcoat on bare steel that has any kind of durability even on stuff handled with kid gloves, and frames hardly get handled with kid gloves...hope you find something that works though, and be sure and tell us if you do.

[tlbranth]

Jay Leno put out a youtube video about a chrome paint that was very interesting. I was going to send you the URL but it seems to want a yahoo password which I don't remember.
Maybe you can get to it
! Private video

[thelowmax]

That will look #$%*ing sweet!  ...but man, have not seen any clearcoat on bare steel that has any kind of durability even on stuff handled with kid gloves, and frames hardly get handled with kid gloves...hope you find something that works though, and be sure and tell us if you do.

I might have to go with powder coating it.

[thelowmax]

If you do shine up the raw frame, have it powder coated with clear powder coat. It will protect it just as well as a color and keep your look.

Yeah. More than likely I will end up powder coating it. The cost is the only thing that has me hesitating (though in the long run I'm sure it is the way to go). I can't find a place that will do it for less than $500 around here. I would do it myself if I had a big enough oven but, again, the cost.

I figure by stripping and polishing the frame, that's got to reduce prep fees.

[thelowmax]

Jay Leno put out a youtube video about a chrome paint that was very interesting. I was going to send you the URL but it seems to want a yahoo password which I don't remember.
Maybe you can get to it
! Private video

I'm actually already going to do my tank with hydrochrome and , honestly, hadn't even considered it on my frame. Now I'm going to investigate. It will require a top coat anyway, so why not? Thanks for the idea.