Has anyone experience on Re Plating a Chrome Frame

[Retro Spud]

Hi

I've a Orange X1 thats decked out with a NOS M737 Groupset and Rims however I can't get the frame to look like new again, and want to have it replated
I've heard of old car bumpers being done but has anyone done a frame . . . . And can you recommend anyone ?

okay this is only an X1 and in the grand scheme of things it's a waste of money, as its value is limited to lower league status but I'm attached to it! and any pointers would be a help

thanks for reading and getting this far

 

[t-stoff]

hmmm replate or polish ? im about to start polishing my old zaskar. Sandpaper 2000 1500 1000 and autosol. my first test will be with the cranks.. if you search for polishing / sandpaper theres a couple of threads explaing the process.

 

[Raging_Bulls]

hmmm replate or polish ?

IIRC the X1 had a steel frame. So polishing would not be a good idea.

My suggestion would be to get in touch with companies that do chrome plating and asking them if they can remove the current plating and apply new plating to a bicycle frame.
Take rough dimensions (length and height) in case they don't know how big a bicycle frame is (and yes, as stupid as that question may sound, I had a powdercoater ask me that question because he wasn't sure if it'd fit in his oven)

 

[t-stoff]

Hmm right, im sorry. I was replying on my phone, didnt check the model. Im sure you can get that frame done easy, as you've said befora old bumpers had that treatment. So car restauration shops must know how to do it.

 

[petitpal]

There's a really good place in coventry that specialise in chrome restoration; go car and motorbike and I've had quotes for bike bits before. Not had anything done by them yet but been recommended to them by a few people. Dig out the web address for you later.

 

[petitpal]

http://www.marquerestore.co.uk

Good luck!

 

[poweredbypies]

Just so happen to have a drinks coaster by my pc from a company called silvabronz. They were at the classis car show at the nec saw some of there stuff very high quality and many diferent types of finish available.

http://www.beckworth.net/index.asp?upid=32&msid=12

 

[MiniNinjaRob]

Bob Jackson cycles do chrome plating, give them a ring to see if a whole frame can be done. I would be nervous about using industrial platers unless their finish is excellent as it's very expensive to do and you want it to look fantastic.

 

[Retro Spud]

Cheers guys

most helpful replies, given I work in WAlsall I'll give the coventry guys a serious look
along with the others, I've only got one frame and enough, sponoulies to have one go. . . . . So need to chose carefully

thanks once again

 

[petitpal]

Haven't dealt with the Coventry bunch personally but a while back I popped in to a local motorbike place (where they work on and restore various 60's trials motorbikes for a local hillclimb (Red Marley) and they recommended them to me. Was looking for someone to replate my trike's wheels at the time (bicycle trike, not a Harley trike ). They seem to do restoration work as well so seem to be a reasonably serious bunch. Seem to remember getting a rough figure of about £30 a wheel rim (which is why I said "at the time" earlier. ) Good luck anyway.