Copper plated
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Novice
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From: Missouri
Copper plated
Looking to add some copper plated parts to the bike, like front brake and clutch lever, air cover, hell might even relace the wheels with some fat copper spokes. The problem is that I'm not seeing much out there in my choice of metal finish. Not sure if it's ever been considered much. If anyone has and links or leads on where to buy these, that'd be great. Might end up having to get it done at a plating shop. If so, I'm curious who else has had stuff plated and how expensive was it?
Thanks!
2008 FLSTC Heritage Softail Classic
Thanks!
2008 FLSTC Heritage Softail Classic
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From: Driftless Area
Copper is the base metal for chrome. It is referred to as copper flash, and is used to fill pits and minor flaws in cast parts.
As an outer finish, unless you seal the copper somehow, it will tarnish. We make parts out of copper and "Brite-Dip" them. There are coatings that protect the copper finish, but they are only temporary. To keep it looking good, you will be constantly polishing.
As an outer finish, unless you seal the copper somehow, it will tarnish. We make parts out of copper and "Brite-Dip" them. There are coatings that protect the copper finish, but they are only temporary. To keep it looking good, you will be constantly polishing.
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Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Pittsburgh, Pa
Copper is the base metal for chrome. It is referred to as copper flash, and is used to fill pits and minor flaws in cast parts.
As an outer finish, unless you seal the copper somehow, it will tarnish. We make parts out of copper and "Brite-Dip" them. There are coatings that protect the copper finish, but they are only temporary. To keep it looking good, you will be constantly polishing.
As an outer finish, unless you seal the copper somehow, it will tarnish. We make parts out of copper and "Brite-Dip" them. There are coatings that protect the copper finish, but they are only temporary. To keep it looking good, you will be constantly polishing.
Couldnt you polish the copper to get a shine, then clear cost it with paint?
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Sep 2021
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From: Missouri
Copper is the base metal for chrome. It is referred to as copper flash, and is used to fill pits and minor flaws in cast parts.
As an outer finish, unless you seal the copper somehow, it will tarnish. We make parts out of copper and "Brite-Dip" them. There are coatings that protect the copper finish, but they are only temporary. To keep it looking good, you will be constantly polishing.
As an outer finish, unless you seal the copper somehow, it will tarnish. We make parts out of copper and "Brite-Dip" them. There are coatings that protect the copper finish, but they are only temporary. To keep it looking good, you will be constantly polishing.
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RHPAW can correct me but, I believe any chrome parts would have to be stripped/reversed prior to the copper being applied ?
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Maybe if you never ride in the rain or expose it to road salt...
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We've got stamped brass and copper parts ready to ship, where the usage has fallen off. Even though we followed all the requirements and stored them in protective anti-tarnish packaging, I still get the occasional customer complaint when they receive a box of parts that has been on the shelf for an extended time. The ones that drive me crazy are steel parts with no specified finish that are a year old, and they bitch about rust.
We can and do clean them up for the customer, but it's added shipping and labor (usually on us) because of their own neglect.
We can and do clean them up for the customer, but it's added shipping and labor (usually on us) because of their own neglect.
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From: Missouri
Yes, they chemically clean them first, and chrome can be stripped. A clear coat finish in laquer would probably be the most durable, but eventually it would all turn dull brown, and then possibly green. Think about a penny. There's a reason this isn't done more often. You would be better off with painting it that color.
Maybe if you never ride in the rain or expose it to road salt...
Maybe if you never ride in the rain or expose it to road salt...