How much prep is required prior to chroming?
Thread Starter
|
Former Sponsor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Bobcaygeon
How much prep is required prior to chroming?
I spent a great deal of time over the winter getting a seat pan together and finally it is finished - well at least I thought it was. I then drove to see three people yesterday and was told - well it's gonna take 20 hours plus to ready that prior to chroming it? 85.00 x 20 hrs - say what!
What are the rules one should follow when preparing anything to go to chroming? No one would tell me other then - its gotta be absolutely perfect or it will not turn out period. The item is metal, I can post a pic if anyone is interested.
What are the rules one should follow when preparing anything to go to chroming? No one would tell me other then - its gotta be absolutely perfect or it will not turn out period. The item is metal, I can post a pic if anyone is interested.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
it's gotta be smooth, clean a free of any contaminants.
It has to be cleaned with their process to make sure that no contamination gets in their tanks from your "prep work"
It will then be coated with a number of other metals ( depending where you are, and which process they use.)
And since you are in Canadia ( oh, I know where Bobcaygeon is), they have to charge all the GST, HST and on and on.
Probably an environmental fee is passed onto you as well.
All you can do is call around- browns plating in paducah kentucky has been doing bike parts a loooong time.
Don't bother with any platers in California, they can't dump the chemicals in the creek anymore.
mike
It has to be cleaned with their process to make sure that no contamination gets in their tanks from your "prep work"
It will then be coated with a number of other metals ( depending where you are, and which process they use.)
And since you are in Canadia ( oh, I know where Bobcaygeon is), they have to charge all the GST, HST and on and on.
Probably an environmental fee is passed onto you as well.
All you can do is call around- browns plating in paducah kentucky has been doing bike parts a loooong time.
Don't bother with any platers in California, they can't dump the chemicals in the creek anymore.
mike
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 497
Likes: 1
From: Wa. state
Over the years I have fabbed several items ,seat rails ,sissy bars, etc.
I always went for a show chrome finish, meaning welds were smoothed and filled with brass brazing rod and then sanded smooth.
Usually the part should be wire wheel treated to knock off any corrosion, slag, or dirt.
Then sand it, when prepping for chrome it is not unlike prepping for paint. consider if it was going to be painted without using any filler how would it look?
The better the prep the better the finish will look.
I have put 40 hours of sanding on a seat rail, using various degrees of grit ,working into all the creases,crooks and crannies, finishing with 600 grit. That may have been over kill but it turned out perfect.
The 20 hours of prep is BS in my opinion, they may put in an hour or so and thats it.
Most metal finishers use power equipment , wire wheels, sanders and buffers, the pedistal type.
I have sprayed primer on my part just to reveal any flaws, then sanded it all off after working the discrepant areas.
Lastly, the part will get a copper coating before chromium, the copper will cover up very minute flaws. I have taken parts that I didn't want to spend too much time on and they came out very nice.
The finisher will clean the part , but you need to be sure there is no crud or oil of any kind on it before giving it to them including oils from your hand.
I always went for a show chrome finish, meaning welds were smoothed and filled with brass brazing rod and then sanded smooth.
Usually the part should be wire wheel treated to knock off any corrosion, slag, or dirt.
Then sand it, when prepping for chrome it is not unlike prepping for paint. consider if it was going to be painted without using any filler how would it look?
The better the prep the better the finish will look.
I have put 40 hours of sanding on a seat rail, using various degrees of grit ,working into all the creases,crooks and crannies, finishing with 600 grit. That may have been over kill but it turned out perfect.
The 20 hours of prep is BS in my opinion, they may put in an hour or so and thats it.
Most metal finishers use power equipment , wire wheels, sanders and buffers, the pedistal type.
I have sprayed primer on my part just to reveal any flaws, then sanded it all off after working the discrepant areas.
Lastly, the part will get a copper coating before chromium, the copper will cover up very minute flaws. I have taken parts that I didn't want to spend too much time on and they came out very nice.
The finisher will clean the part , but you need to be sure there is no crud or oil of any kind on it before giving it to them including oils from your hand.
Thread Starter
|
Former Sponsor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Bobcaygeon
That makes a lot of sense, so they actually fill the weld smoothing marks then with brass, and then nickel coat it and finally chrome - okay - I think I got it - I thought wholly crap 20 plus hours seemed a little excessive.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 494
Likes: 1
From: Music City, USA
Call Keith (Leonard) @ Leonard's Plating in Nashville. (615) 254-8308
He will walk you through the process and does exceptional work.
Basically you acid etch, plate in copper, then 2 coats of chrome.
He will walk you through the process and does exceptional work.
Basically you acid etch, plate in copper, then 2 coats of chrome.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 497
Likes: 1
From: Wa. state
I bought a set of 4 chrome wheels for my pickup back in the mid 80's. For whatever reason three of the wheels were USA and 1 wheel was Mexico. Guess which wheel bubbled and peeled off chrome?
2K for a single seat pan is crazy.....
I paid a little over a hundred bucks for a single seat rail a few years ago using a metal finisher out of Seattle,Wa. He charged 2 hours of prep at $20 an hour (he had his laborer put in about an hour, a little less actually) then he dropped it off at the platers ,which he never divulged the name of. Then about another 20 minutes polishing it up after he picked it up from the plater. He claimed the plater charged him $50.
2K for a single seat pan is crazy.....
I paid a little over a hundred bucks for a single seat rail a few years ago using a metal finisher out of Seattle,Wa. He charged 2 hours of prep at $20 an hour (he had his laborer put in about an hour, a little less actually) then he dropped it off at the platers ,which he never divulged the name of. Then about another 20 minutes polishing it up after he picked it up from the plater. He claimed the plater charged him $50.
Last edited by ZZZCICI; May 9, 2012 at 03:56 PM. Reason: added comment
Supporter
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 90
From: Vermont
I spent a great deal of time over the winter getting a seat pan together and finally it is finished - well at least I thought it was. I then drove to see three people yesterday and was told - well it's gonna take 20 hours plus to ready that prior to chroming it? 85.00 x 20 hrs - say what!
What are the rules one should follow when preparing anything to go to chroming? No one would tell me other then - its gotta be absolutely perfect or it will not turn out period. The item is metal, I can post a pic if anyone is interested.
What are the rules one should follow when preparing anything to go to chroming? No one would tell me other then - its gotta be absolutely perfect or it will not turn out period. The item is metal, I can post a pic if anyone is interested.
85.00/hr x 20??? $1700.00? I'd find another plater! It does take some prior polishing to get a nice finish but not $1700.00 worth unless your piece is just total sheit, which I doubt. Also need to watch for the plating type these days. You would be surprised at the number of once High Quality Platers that had always plated show chrome using the Hexalavent process, but are now using Trilavent. Not the same animal.
Try these guys....http://meclec.com/main3.html
Last edited by Rickr01; May 15, 2012 at 04:52 PM.
Trending Topics
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,101
Likes: 1,013
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 497
Likes: 1
From: Wa. state
I just reread this and ... they won't do squat... Filling the welds is up to to the person fabricating the part and if he/she wants to do it. Most finishers and platers will just dip it as it comes in.
