Chroming and restoration
 

I have been cleaning up a neglected and rusted 1972 Itavega. The Italvegas in the early 70s had a cromed front fork (lower 8 inches), chromed steerer tube, chrome on the aft 8 inches of seatstays and chainstays, and chrome on the center of the seat tube. I have the frame and fork now all bright and shinny and went by the local chrome shop. His estimate is $125 for the fork and $250 for the frame. Wow! I'd be interested in what your thoughts are on restoration. I will be riding it - it will not be for a museum or show. Thanks.

Rechroming, in my opinion, is rarely cost-effective. If I were in your shoes, I would either consider it an opportunity to practice painting a frame or just ride it like it is.

Rubbing a piece of crumpled-up aluminum foil works remarkably well for cleaning up chrome, btw, although it won't help you if the corrosion has eaten all the way underneath.

Consider having it powder coated. It's much cheaper than paint and much more durable.

Chrome fails in tiny little increments. A tiny pinhole in the chrome allows the iron underneath to oxidize, and the resulting rust spreads over the surface of the rest of the chrome. You can clean up most of that, and you'll have a series of tiny little holes - keep 'em dry and it's a non-issue ever again ***not applicable in Louisiana or Belize***.

If the chrome is failing en masse - sand 'er down and paint it.

Here is another idea.

http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/buffman.htm

Thanks Number 6. It almost makes me want to do my own chrome plating - almost.