Author Topic: Chrome plating an alloy tank (Read 1494 times)

78whiteorbs · « **on:** March 28, 2018, 05:51:15 pm »

So thinking about chrome plating an alloy tank instead of having it polished. Seems like lower upkeep but whats the trade off....

Yamahawk · « **Reply #1 on:** March 28, 2018, 05:55:05 pm »

...flaking and peeling chrome after a while, as it doesn't stick well to aluminum alloys. Hence the Yamaha Virago engine side covers with peeling chrome...
If you polish that alloy, it will look better than chrome, as polished aluminum has a 'soul' to it, rather than a cold shine like chrome.
Charlie

78whiteorbs · « **Reply #2 on:** March 28, 2018, 06:13:46 pm »

Any ideas what itd run to have one polished out. I know someone on the forum polishes stuff......

754 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 28, 2018, 07:59:40 pm »

Wether it gets polished or chromed, it still gets polished first.
Chrome is exoensive, and sometimes chromed screw up.. I say better off polished.
What looks really nice is part polished, part painted..

Yamahawk · « **Reply #4 on:** March 29, 2018, 01:56:35 am »

Quote from: 754 on March 28, 2018, 07:59:40 pm

Wether it gets polished or chromed, it still gets polished first.
Chrome is exoensive, and sometimes chromed screw up.. I say better off polished.
What looks really nice is part polished, part painted..

...as per BSA tanks, or my Royal Enfield

Charlie

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #5 on:** March 29, 2018, 12:21:48 pm »

If I can remember I will post some pictures of the chromed cases on my 550 so you can see what happens to chromed aluminum over time. Although to be fair, the chrome is probably 40 years old so I can't say that the chrome would peel in your lifetime.

78whiteorbs · « **Reply #6 on:** March 29, 2018, 01:12:46 pm »

The real appeal was that the upkeep on polished aluminium seems maximum. Anybody have one??

754 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 29, 2018, 01:48:52 pm »

Certain polishes, clearcoat, and not living by the ocean, make taking care of polished aluminum.
There is many alloy tanks out there on cafe bikes, they rarely get chromed. Save the extra 400 bux..

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #8 on:** March 29, 2018, 01:50:31 pm »

Meh, a couple times a year with a drill, and polishing ball, and some simichrome polish will keep your aluminum looking good. It's not that much work.

Yamahawk · « **Reply #9 on:** March 29, 2018, 02:52:20 pm »

Quote from: Bankerdanny on March 29, 2018, 01:50:31 pm

Meh, a couple times a year with a drill, and polishing ball, and some simichrome polish will keep your aluminum looking good. It's not that much work.

...mmmmm Simichrome... mmmmm my favorite!
It gives aluminum a soul!
Charlie

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 29, 2018, 03:08:06 pm »

Quote from: Bankerdanny on March 29, 2018, 01:50:31 pm

Meh, a couple times a year with your hand, and a rag, and some simichrome polish will keep your aluminum looking good. It's not that much work.

ftfy...not really sure who started all the uproar around here that bare polished aluminum requires intensive maintenance at the level of some kind of hired full time caregiver. It's just not the case. Polish your aluminum, ride your bike, clean when dirty, repeat. Same as any other.

Paintedseat · « **Reply #11 on:** March 29, 2018, 03:35:37 pm »

Get a chrome vinyl wrap

78whiteorbs · « **Reply #12 on:** March 29, 2018, 03:48:00 pm »

scunny · « **Reply #13 on:** March 29, 2018, 03:57:16 pm »

Alloy tank on my 650 for 9 years. Give it a polish by hand with Mothers mag wheel polish about twice a year.
Occasional dry buff with a rag in between if I feel like it.

78whiteorbs · « **Reply #14 on:** March 29, 2018, 03:59:07 pm »

Nice thanks! Did you polish yourzelf or pay? If so how much??

Paintedseat · « **Reply #15 on:** March 29, 2018, 04:09:34 pm »

I would do that before I had it plated or was too lazy to keep it polished.

scunny · « **Reply #16 on:** March 29, 2018, 04:18:40 pm »

Just hand polished with Solvol Autosol, brings up a nice lustre. The mothers seems to put a hard seal on top.

andy750 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 29, 2018, 04:59:51 pm »

I am exactly the same as Scunny...polished my stock CB750 tank and now and again touch it up with some Autosol.

78whiteorbs · « **Reply #18 on:** March 29, 2018, 05:44:29 pm »

Thats a steel tank...we are talking about aluminum.

754 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 29, 2018, 06:11:49 pm »

You were asking about upkeep, steel is way way worse.. but yet doable.

turkey4me · « **Reply #20 on:** March 30, 2018, 06:07:37 am »

Don't chrome it. You can hand wet sand & polish to a mirror finish. Plus if you ever scratch it you can fix it yourself. I did my tank and seat using 600 - 800 - 1000 - 1500 - 2000 in one direction then finish with Mother's polish.

78whiteorbs · « **Reply #21 on:** March 30, 2018, 06:45:33 am »

Quote from: turkey4me on March 30, 2018, 06:07:37 am

Don't chrome it. You can hand wet sand & polish to a mirror finish. Plus if you ever scratch it you can fix it yourself. I did my tank and seat using 600 - 800 - 1000 - 1500 - 2000 in one direction then finish with Mother's polish.

Aluminum or stock steel? How long did it take you?

turkey4me · « **Reply #22 on:** March 30, 2018, 11:15:42 am »

Tank is aluminum. I made it a winter project and sanded every morning for about 2 weeks. Highwayshine.com has some good cutting and buffing products if you want to use a the power of electricity.

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Author Topic: Chrome plating an alloy tank (Read 1494 times)