Biketiger

I have a chrome De Rosa fork that needs to be re-chromed. It has a few scrapes and rust spots - all just superficial deterioration.
Any recommendations of who would do a great job? In the meantime, any suggestions of how I can treat it - Evaporust? Thanks!

merziac

So chrome is such a nasty process that few do it anymore.

Yellow Jersey and Franklin frame have been some of the go to's for a long time, if they don't still do it, they may know who does.

3alarmer 

...personally, I rough the chrome a little bit, mask off the fork ends and crown (depending on condition of the chrome there), and paint to match the frame paint. Nobody seems to notice much once it's painted. Here's a before and after of one where the fork and stays had chrome socks, where the chrome was badly corroded. It's good enough for me. The whole chrome fork thing was kind of a labor saving device anyway, IMO. You can put a chrome fork on anything without painting it to match.

And a decently primed and painted fork, finish coated in clear urethane paint, will outlast many, if not all Italian chromed forks.

Biketiger

Great thanks - I've heard of both so perhaps either can do it or lead along the right path.

JohnDThompson 

Go to a motorcycle shop and ask if they can recommend a plater. You should be able to save some money if you do the pre-plating polishing yourself, but it can be a pile of work.

rccardr 

Another vote for Franklin Frames in Ohio. Jack has a third party do it who really know their stuff and understands the special needs of a vintage frame or fork.
The results are real...and they are spectacular!

Biketiger

Good to hear - I'll call Franklin.
Nice Merckx! I have a red Merckx track frame with beautiful chrome

rjhammett

You could get it chrome powder coated. I have seen it done and it looks pretty good. Not as nice as real chrome but maybe good enough for your purposes. Much cheaper and environmentally friendly.

merziac

I drag race motorcycles and have several contacts for custom work, show chrome included.

Since sources are thin now days for it, the ones that do it are often overwhelmed.

They also are not inclined to do small surface or non steel bits for the challenge when stellar results are needed.

Mostly very good at fenders, oil tank covers, cowls and such.

It has become a bolt on thing for the most part.

mech986 

I have an Italvega Super Speciale frame and fork which has been stripped of paint completely. I've very much toyed with the idea of having the entire frame chrome plated and then get a very very nice Chromovelato finish done to it. Although I've always wanted a Merckx Molteni Orange as well.

ManekiNico

If you’re still looking for recommendations, I can suggest DGM Chrome Plating in Philadelphia. I had my Treviso refinished by Tom Kellogg (now retired) and they farmed out the chrome work to DGM. The work was very good, but it wasn’t fast.

Biketiger

Thanks for the other plater recommendation ManekiNico. I called Jack Trumbull at Franklin Frames today as this was the time he suggested he'd be available to get it started. No answer. Mailbox is full - can't leave a message. I sent an email to the address listed on his website and it came back as un-deliverable.
Whoa - I hope all is well with Mr. Trumbull and he's doing okay...
Since you had suggested DGM, I gave them a call and talked to Don and he sounded super helpful and knowledgeable. He won't be ready for me to send in the fork unti the end of the year. No problem - I ride the de rosa almost every day. If I do hear from Jack I'll let you guys know!

easyupbug 

If you are near Quality Plating in Sterling, IL I have used them for two forks that needed to be stripped and re-chromed, a Montello and Tommasini air fork and they did a nice job with reasonable turn around time. Prices:https://www.qualitychromeplating.com/bicycles.php

Steelman54 

I was at Franklin Frame a few months back with a friend who had a Gitane painted. Jack is a man of few words and a bit slow to respond, but he does great work, probably need to be patient as he is a 1 man operation. He does use a plater, but I don't know if it is Hohman plating in Dayton area or not.

Biketiger

Thanks easyupbug for the other recommendation and the update from you Steelman! I did hear back from Jack and all is well (I had mis-typed his email - so that was my fault). I am confident he will do a great job but it's going to be twice as expensive as DGM. Cost isn't my primary consideration - and it's just the fork. The rest of the bike is painted a beautiful blue but is has chips and scratches here and there. I've heard that Italian paint jobs were not always of the best quality. DGM said it would be around $150, Jack quoted me $300. Any suggestions are appreciated but I'm leaning toward Jack - he's a frame builder and restorer.
I will be sure to post before and after pics here.
Thanks guys for your help!