chrome paint....what is the panel's view?

[Ramjam]

hi again
I simply can't afford chroming as i have no job at present. What is the general view about chrome spray paint? Try and remember when replying that not all of us have deep pockets for restoration and sometimes the 'short term' restoration has to take precedent over the 'longer term' one that might be done later.

I was thinking of mudguards and pipes? What the worst....

I know, I know. This is going to make the puritans choke on their cornflakes. But it's about budget.
still there?

MJ

[oldjapanesebikes]

Depending on how bad the current chrome plating is, quite often a rub down with 0000 steel wool and some decent metal polish will work wonders.

[tz375]

I like "chrome" paint for things like underside of fenders or inside of headlamp ears etc. I.e. places that are not too visible.

The stuff I used is find from a distance but it's soft and discolors when polished. If the rust is minor pitting use fine steel wool to remove the rust. I have heard it said that rubbing the surface with a ball of aluminum foil works to transfer aluminum to the rust pits. I have not tried it, but it might be worth a try.

If the rust is really bad, I'd rub it down and do the pipes black and the fenders in body color or a bright silver. Or try Chrome paint if you can get it cheaply enough and see if you like it.

[T350guy]

To use Chrome paint as a replacement for Chrome.NO..On my 67 Bonnie I had the chain gaurd paint Chrome and it looks fine which fits nicely to the rest of the bike which is chrome , back in the 70's it was a chopper hence the chrome frame.
It looks dull but nice

[Ramjam]

i also did the chain guard in chrome paint and it looks great. I noticed that if you use about 10 layers, you get a good finish.
Everyone says rub down with fine paper etc and 'polish' but i have done this and i have found the results minimal.

Would the pipes take the heat though? What would happen to the paint on the down pipes?

Also, what about the spokes? On the front wheel of the g380 the spokes keep rusting so i am looking for a solution with paint. Why no chrome?

Ian's point about the condition of the original chrome plating i think is bang on. On my rear mudguard there is considerable rust and pitting so i had no problem using the chrome paint. The front one is really clean, but doesn't really shine. Why not give it 10 coats of this new chrome paint?

really appreciate the exchange of views. You were not all anti the idea as i thought you would be. I think maybe this has something to do with the fact that the quality ofpaints has improved dramaitcallly over the years, no?


mj

[tz375]

The answer is that there is no cheap substitute for real chronme, but when teh budget doesn't stretch that far, you have to be open to other ideas. I just try things and if they work, great and if not, I learned, so it's all good.

Exhaust down pipes will need a high heat paint and there are several paints by VHT and others for that.

[pearljam724]

If I were on a budget to freshen up the pipes a little. Could not afford new pipes or new chrome platting. I would have them powder coated metallic silver or sprayed with an automotive metallic silver. There is not a chrome paint from a rattle can that would hold up to the heat and cooling cycles that will last past a month or 2. Heat cycles is only half of the problem. Pipes on these bikes accumulate a lot of oil in a matter of a ride or 2. Which means the paint won't even hold up to the constant cleaning. Not to mention all the debris from these low pipes. Take the route of buying a cheaper automotive spray gun. Chrome paint from a rattle can is barely ok on plastic parts and inner fenders. But, that doesn't last either. Those parts don't see a fraction of abuse that the exhaust does. It won't last a month from a rattle can. Unless, it never moves.

[Ramjam]

what about ZINC plating the pipes? zinc plating is pretty simple and i can get zinc sulphate easy enough. Has anyone done this on the pipes and mudguards?


mj

[oldjapanesebikes]

what about ZINC plating the pipes? zinc plating is pretty simple and i can get zinc sulphate easy enough. Has anyone done this on the pipes and mudguards?

Not recommended - zinc starts to soften at 200 degrees C, and is liquid at about 420 degrees C. The fumes as it burns off are also toxic, although you'd likely have to have your nose on the exhaust pipe and be inhaling deeply for it to be dangerous. A cheap option for the pipes is a heat wrap - gives it that steam-punk look, or go at them with SolvoAutosol and some 0000 steel wool, or as mentioned before, some high temp paint.

[Suzukidave]

Several of the list guys have even sprayed there exhaust systems Hi Temp black and gives a sporty "cafe" look .

[Ramjam]

does high temp spray in a can exist? in chrome, i should add

[tz375]

Not exactly. There's a VHT silver for exhausts that is called "Aluminum" and it looks like aluminum coating. It's not high gloss but it's close to the right color.

[Ramjam]

is it in a spray tin?

[oldjapanesebikes]

Here's a link: http://www.vhtpaint.com/products/flameproof/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;