Topic: An alternative to chrome(nickel?)plating any one ?

[grcamna2]

   I want to find a good metal plating source to have some various parts & pieces "re-chromed" & want to know what other members have found out there.Do you know of an alternative to chrome that will protect the metal & be just as hard & durable but would not have to have that "deep show quality" as some chrome shops mention ?
I just don't have the $'s for that but DO want a little shine.I want it to be a metal plating that will last.I want to have a custom luggage rack,fenders,headlight rim,head pipes,mufflers,etc. done...just wondered what was available to me as far as choices go & I'm willing to ship if it's a place w/ a good reputation.I was thinking of powder coating but prefer metal plating.

[754]

 Electroless nickle

[CycleRanger]

How about http://www.flamesprayinc.com/   

There's also more exotic stuff like PVD. http://www.pvdcoatings.net/About_PVD_Coating/about_pvd_coating.html

We had an E-beam evaporator at work that we used to coat silicon wafers with a silver/chrome layer. 
Pretty neat stuff but a bit esoteric for your needs I'd think.

[grcamna2]

754...do you have any experience w/ getting something done w/ that Nickel Electrolosis ?

 CycleRanger...can you give me any personal experiences that you have had w/ those coatings ? How much $ ? I'm on a very low budget,but I can save up. Do you know if any are actual "metal dipped coatings like chrome" ?

[754]

I know of a guy did all the fasteners on a car.
 I think its far cheaper than decorative chrome, and without out all the polishing off corners hassles of chroming.

[CycleRanger]

If you're on a budget then really none of the metal-plating processes are particularly cheap.
http://www.finishing.com/faqs/chrome.html

The cheapest coatings are going to be powder and good old fashioned paint.
They have some metallic powder coatings that are really nice now and of course a good base of silver with a good clear coat can look really nice too.

Of course with either paint or powder you can always get it stripped off later when you have the budget for real chrome.

[MCRider]

If you're on a budget then really none of the metal-plating processes are particularly cheap.
http://www.finishing.com/faqs/chrome.html

The cheapest coatings are going to be powder and good old fashioned paint.
They have some metallic powder coatings that are really nice now and of course a good base of silver with a good clear coat can look really nice too.

Of course with either paint or powder you can always get it stripped off later when you have the budget for real chrome.

I think you are right CR.

As to the original post: "just as hard and durable"? Nope. Only chrome. Everything else is less hard and durable. IMO  OCICBW

Coming from the world's biggest chrome whore.   

[faux fiddy]

I've got a Bridgestone twin that came with chromed bores, and I'm not sure they are restoreable, at least not without enough chrome to make up a few .001's  and or then be machined to original. I figure this is impossible or prohibitively expensive (?)


I  Also heard of NicaSil (sic.) for the application. Anyone familiar with this?

[demon78]

I used to metalized (flame spray) P&W cylinders with aluminium it gave a nice white finish about the same as white orange peel in surface finish and it was good for fairly hi temps and rapid cooling also salt water in other words reasonably durable also vibration was not a problem. FoI we also sent our cylinders out to have them hard porous chromed, porous so that they would retain a little bit of oil on the walls and we got at least a couple of majors out of them which is remarkable considering the conditions they had to put up with (flew all day with rough water landings so rapid cooling and red hot again) no glitches the only thing that was problem was super charger casing imploding from cold water and as far as metalizing goes I know they were doing it in copper, bronze and a bunch of other metals, as far as cost I'd talk to an aircraft overhaul outfit (old or vintage A/C) for directions.
Bill the demon.

[Kermit]

wrenches are zink plated, may try that

[Retro Rocket]

I've got a Bridgestone twin that came with chromed bores, and I'm not sure they are restoreable, at least not without enough chrome to make up a few .001's  and or then be machined to original. I figure this is impossible or prohibitively expensive (?)


I  Also heard of NicaSil (sic.) for the application. Anyone familiar with this?

I have nikasil bores on my 1000cc block , a lot of late model bikes run it and dirt bikes have had nikasil bores for years now.....

[grcamna2]

O.K.  it's good to have so much feedback ! Who knows of a reputable place that has a very good deal on standard Chrome plating ? I can send stuff to them...if any one of you members can tell me who is nice$.
                                                                 Thank you in advance.

[754]

Do a search for an electroless nickle plater, way cheaper... and your wrenches will fit..

[Stev-o]

I don't chime since it's so expensive, I polish all of my aluminum.

Haven't used them, but Browns has a great reputatio:

http://www.brownsplating.com/

[faux fiddy]

I  Also heard of NicaSil (sic.) for the application. Anyone familiar with this?

I have nikasil bores on my 1000cc block , a lot of late model bikes run it and dirt bikes have had nikasil bores for years now.....

Do you know what ring materials are compatible  with either chrome or nicasil?  I know not everything works with everything else.

[simon#42]

cast iron rings in a chrome cylinder , chrome rings in a nicasil cylinder [ ideally, although nicasil is pretty forgiving ]