Is it worth it to re-chrome?

[jsandidge]

Anyone have experience getting parts re-chromed? I would like to pretty some parts up. Airbox covers, headlight ears, fork tubes, fenders, etc. What's the cost? Were you satisfied with the results?

Did you have to do anything to prep the parts first? Did you have to fill in any pitting, remove rust, etc.? If so, how did you prep?

[Nessism]

It will cost more than purchasing clean replacement parts.

[chuck hahn]

Thats IF replacements are available. If they are NLA and you need / want them then you do what you gotta do.

[Charley Davidson]

With the great abundance of the new colors I would go with powder coating.

[Agemax]

With the great abundance of the new colors I would go with powder coating.

they dont do chrome powder coat yet, as far as i know.......

[Guest]

Well seems like I learn something new each day, which makes up for the two things I forget. I did a quick search and found this: http://www.google.com/imgres?sa=X&bi...=15&tx=92&ty=5

Not as nice as real chrome, but probably an acceptable substitute. Ray

[Agemax]

but it aint chrome........

[chuck hahn]

And theres that spray on "chrome" thats featured in Jay Lenos Garage series as well...but it isnt real metal chrome either.

[jsandidge]

anybody done it?

Thanks for the replies guys, but it would be helpful if someone shared their experiences with real chrome.

[chuck hahn]

I have six 30+ years old bikes....I dont have enough money to rechrome anything. Heard its not cheap.

[Agemax]

it is very expensive to have things rechromed. they have to strip the old chrome off before prepping it again. i was quoted ?50 for the 2 small covers under my tach/speedo to be rechromed. haggled with them and got it cheaper but to have say, an exhaust rechromed it would be cheaper to buy a new one. (which you cant, new anyway!)

[cowboyup3371]

Or just get it ceramic coated in a "chrome" color.

Here are my pipes (still need to be polished) after ceramic coating. Sorry for the way the picture was taken but I'll get a better close up once I'm done with the rebuild:

[ptexotik]

Powdercoat or anodise.
'Set it, and forget it'!

(ceramic for the hot stuff)

[jsandidge]

someone here must have done it

I do think I will eventually have the exhaust ceramic coated. As for the parts I mentioned in the first post, only chrome will do for me. Surely someone here has done some of this. I would really like more details other than to say it is expensive. Does anyone know just how expensive?

[Vmass]

Last year I had a local chrome shop quote me a price. I asked for the following pars to be chromed:

1) Front and rear fenders
2) Handle bars
3) Pipes (twin)

Over $700 bucks. It was not a bike that deserved that kind of investment, so I just used the aluminum foil clean up method (not approved by all): See thread http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=213177