Chrome plating alternative...

[RaceDiagnostics]

The front bow on my soft top frame seems to have lost its plating. Not sure exactly what the plating was but the ends where it was exposed is down to the mild steel. The rest of the frame is mostly Chrome plated or aluminium, but this bit seems to have more of a mat/brushed finish.

I got a quote from a chrome plater for £170, so decided to look for an alternative.

The ends looked like this close up.

10 minutes on the buffing wheel, and the ends look like this.

I'll 2k clear coat the ends as it's just mild steel, the mid section is covered by flaps on the soft top so isn't visible.

Do you think the clear will stick?

 

[keithski122]

A while ago I found a clear etch primer on ebay.Not used it myself but it might be worth a try.

 

[RichardM]

Looks like zinc plated, if the part is detatchable what about getting it galvanised.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

I could galvanise myself but it's a bother to set up for so little area.

 

[RichardM]

How easy is it to remove and renew the finish when the new cover is fitted?

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

How easy is it to remove and renew the finish when the new cover is fitted?

Not really possible, when installed, it's wrapped in a canvas flap along most of its length.

 

[ajlelectronics]

I had a scruffy, rusty frame for my GTC. In the end, I sent it for blasting and powder coating. There are some quite acceptable chrome effect powders now, although I had mine done in red.

 

[Johnnybravo]

Th

I had a scruffy, rusty frame for my GTC. In the end, I sent it for blasting and powder coating. There are some quite acceptable chrome effect powders now, although I had mine done in red.

The chrome effect powder coating looks great right up until you need to clean the dust off or wipe it down….Never again

 

[tom2207]

could you put heat shrink over it instead ,, black or clear ,,, just a thought

 

[Bullet2012]

As they are not seen and do not look too bad in the original state from the first images, and now look even better after you have cleaned them. Can you not leave them as is ?

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

could you put heat shrink over it instead ,, black or clear ,,, just a thought

I think it would be a bit tatty at the ends where it's screwed to the frame.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

As they are not seen and do not look too bad in the original state from the first images, and now look even better after you have cleaned them. Can you not leave them as is ?

Wish I could leaved them as is but they will rust if left unprotected.

 

[tom2207]

I think it would be a bit tatty at the ends where it's screwed to the frame.

maybe ,, but throw in some black screws and it may look ok