The chrome is dead, long live...
02-10-16 | 11:44 AM
#2
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,405
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From: AZ/WA
Bikes: Yes
Ouch, I am having set chromed as we speak (type?). I am hopeful they followed all instructions and I am not disappointed. They guy knew what I wanted but gave me a "we can't guarantee it will be perfect" disclaimer. I probably talked him to death and scared him.
02-10-16 | 04:19 PM
#5
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,376
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From: Capestang, France
Bikes: Lots of French, some British and a couple of Italian
02-10-16 | 07:13 PM
#6
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 13,358
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From: northern michigan
Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712
11-17-18 | 06:29 AM
#9
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,376
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From: Capestang, France
Bikes: Lots of French, some British and a couple of Italian
This frame is getting worse 
. Any Carré experts able to give me a rough date? I thought early 1970s.
i think the Urbain caffi is worth saving so am now thinking of doing a panelled design with 3 main tube red panels and a complimentary colour for the rest. HT chrome is ok-ish, would take a view on the rest. It's so beautifully made I hate seeing it rot in my garage.
*
. Any Carré experts able to give me a rough date? I thought early 1970s.i think the Urbain caffi is worth saving so am now thinking of doing a panelled design with 3 main tube red panels and a complimentary colour for the rest. HT chrome is ok-ish, would take a view on the rest. It's so beautifully made I hate seeing it rot in my garage.
*
11-17-18 | 08:23 AM
#10
Long ago I repurchased a French frame set where the seller had not kept up on the chrome. Overall the French bicycle chrome platers took short cuts- probably were not paid enough and this is the final result.
i would consider now two possible options.
paint the chrome ends ( not the headlugs ) with one of the new "near chrome paint systems" not what you might find at a big hardware store- more specialized.
or
caswell or similar plating systems- not as durable but I have seen nice results. There was a member here who effected an extensive repair.
reason for all that effort would be the original paint and what on this small phone screen looks like hand painted graphics will be near impossible to reproduce.
i would consider now two possible options.
paint the chrome ends ( not the headlugs ) with one of the new "near chrome paint systems" not what you might find at a big hardware store- more specialized.
or
caswell or similar plating systems- not as durable but I have seen nice results. There was a member here who effected an extensive repair.
reason for all that effort would be the original paint and what on this small phone screen looks like hand painted graphics will be near impossible to reproduce.
11-17-18 | 09:09 AM
#11
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Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Capestang, France
Bikes: Lots of French, some British and a couple of Italian
They are indeed, with hand painted gold highlights. Thats why I think it may be worth masking and doing a panel job on it. Since I updated this post, I have someone interested in adopting it, a riding friend. I'll hatch a plan with him.
11-17-18 | 09:17 AM
#12
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 47
Likes: 11
From: Wisconsin
Bikes: J.C. Higgins Freightliner built between 1958-1963, 1985 Mongoose City Bike, Sear & Roebucks Ted Williams Signature Series Free Spirit mid 70s, 2005 Schwinn Stingray Stealth
Chore boys and wd40, I have used it on plenty of handle bars, sissy bars, and other chrome parts, takes rust off and does not scratch steel.
11-17-18 | 09:56 AM
#14
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Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 45
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From: Scottsdale
Chore Boy is a type of kitchen cleaning pad. I'm not sure they are available in France though.
Make sure the box says 100% COPPER. Some versions are just copper plated over steel, don't use these. Make sure you mask off any paint.
Make sure the box says 100% COPPER. Some versions are just copper plated over steel, don't use these. Make sure you mask off any paint.
Last edited by BrewsterII; 11-17-18 at 10:23 AM.
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