Framebuilders - Chroming lugs, fork blades

Hi everyone--
I have a nice 531 lugged steel frame that needs a new paint job. I'm thinking of getting the lugs, and maybe the bottom half of chainstays & fork blades chromed like a retro bike. Any idea who would do this? Any alternatives like powder-coating that way, chrome look-alike paints etc?

Thanks,
Rich

No such thing as "chrome look-alike paints". Your best bet is to look for a local chrome guy and have a talk with him. Harley shops may give you a lead in finding a place. Bicycle paint specialists, like Cycle Art, can do it but it's VERY expensive and you need to pay for shipping the frame both ways. Most likely after you find out how much it's going to cost, you are going to go full paint.

Good luck.

Ed

Alsa Corp (www.alsacorp.com) does chrome paints. There is very little (none?) chrome a new cars, despite appearences.

Chrome shouldn't be applied to modern thin tubing. It can be done with 531, but I'm not sure I would take the chances on an old frame.

There is very little (none?) chrome a new cars, despite appearences.

I don't mean to be disagreeable but auto manufactuers still use a fair amount of chrome on modern cars. Many times the chrome is applied over plastic of all things. Some times the chrome is even sprayed with tinted clear paint to get a certain "look" they are after. Strange but true.

Nessism,

I don't mean to be diagreeable either. But, my understanding is that chrome has largely vanished and been replaced with chrome-like paint. I may be wrong, but I think anything plastic is a good example - I don't think plastics generally do well in a typical plating process. You might find it fun to follow up the Alsa link I posted to see what all can be done with paint.

On the other hand, if you're well hooked into the auto industry and have some solid info regarding their use of real chrome, I'm all ears.

Nessism,

On the other hand, if you're well hooked into the auto industry and have some solid info regarding their use of real chrome, I'm all ears.

I've worked in the auto industry as an engineer for over 20 years and I can assure you that there is nothing but chrome that looks like chrome.

Ed

You can ENP (Electrode-less Nickel Plating) anything as it's a low temp (circa 100g C I'm lead to believe) process.

It's chrome Jim, but not as we know it!

As Cactus said, Nessism, Alsacorp sells a very expensive 'chrome paint' system that does indeed look exactly like chrome plating. It's all the rage aftermarket, which is perhaps why you're not familiar with it. Check out the link -

http://alsacorp.com/products/mirrachrome/mirra_show.htm

How 'chrome' is it? THIS chrome -

http://alsacorp.com/products/mirrachrome/images/alsa_Dennis_Mathewson_158_s.jpg

That really doesn't look like chrome, more like a silver powdercoat or steel sheet.

Chrome is ****ty stuff, and it causes hydrogen embrittlement when done for cosmetic purposes.

If you have to have chrome lugs try polishing them and lacquering them, provided you can find a water proof lacquer.

I agree that is the least chrome like thing I have seen in a long time! Not to say it isn't generally as claimed and described.

:lol:

That Alsa stuff is cool enough for 50Cent to paint his Lamborghini Marcielargo with it :D

http://alsacorp.com/products/mirrachrome/images/alsa_P1030214.jpg

http://alsacorp.com/products/mirrachrome/images/alsa_P1030207.jpg


If I was wanting the chrome lug look I would certainly experiment with it and see how it looks.

Contact Spectrum Powderworks, http://www.spectrumpowderworks.com/. They do some pretty inventive things with powdercoat finishes.