Rechroming

[sclemow]

This is a bit off topic I'm afraid, but I was wondering if anyone has any contacts or information about re-chroming (especially prices)?

I'm rebuilding my Grandfather's 40/50's touring bicycle that he used all over Africa which has sadly been languishing somewhere far too damp and want to investigate the possibility of re-chroming stuff.

- What sort of money does it cost?
I wonder whether it may be prohibitively expensive for something like this.

- Are there ways of reducing the costs by doing some of the preparation beforehand?

- Does any one have any recommendations for re-chromers or information resources?

Cheers

Simon

[Gray]

4 corner bars & overriders 2 bumpers & 3 moustache ends £730 in Yate !!

[sclemow]

ouch - that's quite expensive!
It's got some fairly rare and trick (for it's time) bits on it but I'd need quite a lot done :-

Pedals
Crankset
both rims
various brackets.

I guess it's not size dependent but more on the number of objects?

Has anyone tried the copy chrome type things?

Simon

[mk1coopers]

I think Bryn Purves does chroming, might be worth asking him for a quote

http://www.mk1-forum.net/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=33

[sclemow]

That looks interesting - a much more appropriate price for a bicycle.

Thanks for the link

Simon

[36inter]

Hello Simon,

As with most things you get what you pay for, S&T in Yate are not cheap but I have had work done by them and seen other peoples work done by them and it has always been excellent quality work.

I have had work done by other chromers over the years, all motorcycle related parts and none has been as good as S&T.

Pete

Also in Bristle my babber.

[sclemow]

Hi Pete

Thanks for the reply. I agree that in general you get what you pay for, however I've got to balance whether it's worth trying to find similar or the same parts on ebay or preferably get the originals rechromed. While, as we all know, you never get your money back no a restoration I don't really want to end up with a £3000 bike!
Unfortunately this is pushing me towards more "cost effective" solutions for this bicycle.

Whereabouts in Bristol are you?

I'm just south of Bristol.

Cheers

Simon

[36inter]

Whitchurch

[sclemow]

I see - not far at all - I'm in Clutton.
Would I have seen you out and about in a mini?

[36inter]

No Simon, more likely on a motorcycle, not had a mini of my own on the road since the early 80's although my son and both my daughters were brought up on Minis, they were cheap to run as I had amassed a huge pile of spares from my Mini days on the road and grass track racing.

Spent many years as a full time home mechanic running and repairing them all, my daughters wearing them out and my boy either blowing them up or wrecking them, I got to know Minis very well.

I have a few in the garage awaiting restoration, and waiting, and waiting, work on the house and my pre war Nortons has kept me away from them.

If you are ever stuck for parts send me a PM you never know I may be able to help.

Pete

[sclemow]

Hi Pete

Your more likely to see me on a bike too through Bristol, although a modern KTM commuting in and out of Bristol - nothing as interesting as the Norton's!

Sounds very similar to my upbringing. My Dad has been playing with mini's since the late 60's and all of us grew up with them and drove them. Now sadly we're all older and have progressed on to more grown up cars and the minis have become a hobby rather than transport.

I've just restored a white and black '67 S, which took a lot longer than it should have, which you may see me out and about in although rarely into town.

Like you, we've broken and kept all sort of spares, so the same goes if there is anything you need give us a shout. Why is it you always have boxes and boxes of them and never the right thing!

Hope to bump into you at some time.

Simon

[36inter]

Simon, I you commute to Bristol you will go right past my front door. Call in for a cup of tea and a natter, if I can work it you should get a PM.

Pete

[Will Grant]

When a picked up some panels from Bill Akester a couple of years ago he mentioned the name of a chroming co in Kent, they had done some of the pieces of his car and looked superb, and were reasonably priced. I believe he mentioned their name but i have forgotten. I do not know whether he visits this forum, and a bit of a goose chase but if you could get hold of him he may pass on the name?

[Pandora]

my pal is having his fixie frame chromed by a crowd in the Lake District and he said their work seemed very good. He actually only wants the lugs chromed, but has to get the whole frame done, but only the lugs will be polished. They are doing another pals bumpers for his E-type at the same time.

He quoted me £35-40 per tubular wishbone or trailing link for my car, which I think is quite reasonable. Shame there are so many of them!!

I think he pretty much works on a price based on the surface area if the bits are in decent nick, but no doubt it'll cost more if the surface needs a lot more repair.

If you want I can get the name for you, but I know it's a long way from Bristol.

Al

[In the shed]

Have you considered doing it yourself?

It is quite doable.

You need a soluble chrome salt, a DC power source and a lump of chrome (doesn't have to be pure).

Chrome salts are quite nasty things and lots of them are insoluble, but it shouldn't be too hard to do.

I can't remember the one I used offhand.

[sclemow]

I've had a look at the copy chrome kits which caswell europe do. They look quite interesting.

Simon

[Austin Costin]

The actual chroming part is relitivly cheap, its the prep and polishing that has to be done first thats labour intensive, polishing a bike frame will be a right pain especially if the metal has been eaten into.

[paul1275s]

Ashford Chroming is probably the place in Kent.