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Spray chrome

Submitted by david_cooper on Tue, 27/02/2018
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Nortons - General

Just seen in Classic Motorcycle.. A bike with its tank not electroplated but spray chromed. Looks fine. And they can do it on any surface, over primer paint on filler. So the worry about removing too much metal which puts us off chroming an old tank no longer applies.

Does anyone here know about it? Is it similar cost or cheaper? It looks like proper chrome plate (hexavalent system) is going to go so this looks like the future. If it lasts.

I think I'll find out about doing my oil tank. I wonder if it's worth it? It has to be fuel proof...

Submitted by jonathan_newton on Wed, 28/02/2018

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WorksNortons arepainted in it aswere F1 Mclarenswhentheywerewinning....Sofuelshould not be an issue...

Cheers

J

Submitted by norman_lorton on Wed, 28/02/2018

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Super link, thank you. This chrome paint will be the easy answer to an old petrol tank restore. Yes it can be over coated with 2K lacquer. It will not have the same depth and shine as metal chrome but might be a very acceptable treatment for a tank that has colour panels and lining, which then all need 2K lacquering anyway.

This Aussie video is a good demo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBtdU10PIcE

Submitted by david_cooper on Wed, 28/02/2018

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I assume the preparation must potentially be cheaper since it does not need to involve metal polishing so it either is or could be more of a careful DIY job. And with environmental and health issues threatening the very existence of conventional chrome plating, this might be the only option for the future. Not for exhaust pipes though! It seems like the finish metal is actually pure silver - so the life expectancy will depend on the lacquer. It's only a guess but maybe that means it will suit a bike usually kept in a shed and not out of doors - but the same could be said of chromed tanks that always ended up rusty in the real world.

The process wasn't around when the Late Great George Cohen wrote his notes warning not to attempt to polish a prewar tank, and therefore stick to paint and not chrome plate.

Submitted by Xanna_jeannett… on Wed, 28/02/2018

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Previously David Cooper wrote:

Just seen in Classic Motorcycle.. A bike with its tank not electroplated but spray chromed. Looks fine. And they can do it on any surface, over primer paint on filler. So the worry about removing too much metal which puts us off chroming an old tank no longer applies.

Does anyone here know about it? Is it similar cost or cheaper? It looks like proper chrome plate (hexavalent system) is going to go so this looks like the future. If it lasts.

I think I'll find out about doing my oil tank. I wonder if it's worth it? It has to be fuel proof...

Hello do you know that Chrome warp is better than spaying all you need is your wife'shairdryer and peel the adhesivecover off the back as you go there are videos

on youtube yours anna j

Submitted by david_cooper on Wed, 28/02/2018

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Hi Anna

I've been thinking about trying that but it looks like they don't make any claims about durability beyond maybe three or four years for chrome wrap (they saycoloured wraps last longer than metallics). And of course it cannot be lacquered in 2-pack (can it?). Whereas the chrome spray looks as if it should be much more durable.

Of course - if chrome wrap is so easy - it can be re-done. But it's not exactly throw-away low cost either. Even so - it's on my "to do" list this spring - I'll try it on my oil tank and report back. I hope it peels off if it goes horribly wrong - but I fear it might end up as a gluey mess if anyfuel spits back from the carb mouth.

Submitted by ian_cordes on Wed, 28/02/2018

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This is really interesting. Eureka Chrome has a Facebook page. They seem to be based in Kuala Lumpur. I couldn't find any info on where it can be purchased though.

Submitted by david_cooper on Wed, 28/02/2018

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Thanks, Tony.

And I've just ordered some film from these people to play with:

https://www.wrapdirect.com/

They give a life for Chrome of only 2 years outdoors, 3 years indoors - so not a great deal of use.

For the 'satin chrome' ('brushed silver aluminium') they claim 3-5 outdoors and 8-10 indoors.

Submitted by richard_hudson1 on Wed, 28/02/2018

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Previously David Cooper wrote:

Just seen in Classic Motorcycle.. A bike with its tank not electroplated but spray chromed. Looks fine. And they can do it on any surface, over primer paint on filler. So the worry about removing too much metal which puts us off chroming an old tank no longer applies.

Does anyone here know about it? Is it similar cost or cheaper? It looks like proper chrome plate (hexavalent system) is going to go so this looks like the future. If it lasts.

I think I'll find out about doing my oil tank. I wonder if it's worth it? It has to be fuel proof...

My son worked for a high end powder coaters for some years and they powder coated chrome plating for Jaguar, Aston Martin etc. Chrome plating is frowned upon due to the cost of recycling.

Regards

Dick

Submitted by david_evans on Wed, 28/02/2018

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I recently watched a car custom program where a guy had his wrapped Lamborghini vandalised by someone with a spray can. Once the wrap was removed the problem was gone. If it isn't plated then it's not chrome but we will just have to accept that the health and safety issues involved in plating are going to make it prohibitive to pursue.

Submitted by Xanna_jeannett… on Thu, 01/03/2018

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Previously David Cooper wrote:

Hi Anna

I've been thinking about trying that but it looks like they don't make any claims about durability beyond maybe three or four years for chrome wrap (they saycoloured wraps last longer than metallics). And of course it cannot be lacquered in 2-pack (can it?). Whereas the chrome spray looks as if it should be much more durable.

Of course - if chrome wrap is so easy - it can be re-done. But it's not exactly throw-away low cost either. Even so - it's on my "to do" list this spring - I'll try it on my oil tank and report back. I hope it peels off if it goes horribly wrong - but I fear it might end up as a gluey mess if anyfuel spits back from the carb mouth.

hello well there is now a water-based clear lacquer at will protect the wrap better ask around yours anna j

Submitted by tony_ripley on Tue, 20/03/2018

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Previously Tony Ripley wrote:

Hi,

I have sent a question tohttp://www.chromespray.co.uk/ and I will let you know thir response.

Regards

Tony

I have had the following response from chromespray, note:- I have no connection to the company and am simply providing information.

Tony

__________________________________________

Like most things its down to preparation

Tanks vary between £160/220 depending on size etc.

We can finish the tanks off with a heavy duty anti scratch 2K clear coat (additional cost)

Best Regards

Simon ElmanCHROMESPRAY.CO.UK

INNOVATIVE CHROME APPLICATIONSTel 01268 282662

10/11/12 Cranes CloseCranes Farm RoadBasildon EssexSS143JB

Submitted by john_hall1 on Thu, 22/03/2018

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Isn't it true to say, the only real satisfactory chroming was when the Electro-plating used knowledge of the electro-chemical series of metals was used and first Copper then Nickel and then Chrome was applied to a good solid clean base usually ferrous metal!

Although the finish looks good how durable is it and i bet close up it doesn't quite look like authentic chromed parts!

On some a bluish sheen starts to appear.

Submitted by ian_soady on Thu, 22/03/2018

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The plater I use - ChromeFix in Brum (http://www.chromefix.co.uk/) - still uses the 3 stage process (in fact they suggest they use 4 stages). Having visited their plant I have seen the copper stage and have no reason to doubt them.

To be honest, the whole place looks like something out of a Charles Dickens novel so I wonder how long they will survive.

Submitted by john_hall1 on Thu, 22/03/2018

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Previously ian_soady wrote:

The plater I use - ChromeFix in Brum (http://www.chromefix.co.uk/) - still uses the 3 stage process (in fact they suggest they use 4 stages). Having visited their plant I have seen the copper stage and have no reason to doubt them.

To be honest, the whole place looks like something out of a Charles Dickens novel so I wonder how long they will survive.

What is the fourth process a cleaning dip?

A guy who builds professionally told me on Monday, that he use to Nickel plate his frame kits 4 Free at £100 cost. He now charges as through EU safety regs and the necessary equipment supposedly needed, the costs have increased 5 fold to £500.

The average build he does costs £25,000, from Street-fighter stuff to Veteran.

Submitted by david_cooper on Thu, 22/03/2018

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Thanks,Tony for posting that info.

The best chroming process employs hexavalent chrome and has big H&S implications. It very much looks as if it will soon be a thing of the past, so any realistic alternative must be worth considering. Also if it isn't necessary to polish away too much tank metal thickness then it becomes possible to realistically plate even a pitted old tank. Maybe it will even last better since it goes on over paint. Especially with a 2-pack lacquer. The visible layer is actually metallic silver. I suspect it's the future. But maybe not for exhaust systems.

I thought the Indian Royal Enfield's are now made in a modern new factory but they still do their chrome plating in the old one. Their government cannot close down the old chrome plating plant but they can refuse to allow a new one.

Submitted by john_hall1 on Fri, 23/03/2018

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Actually when you think about some Ebay sellers have achieved better than the Transmutation of Lead into Gold; They have transmuted rusty old shit into money which can buy Gold!

 


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