I think I messed up my Austro-Daimler smoked chrome SLE?
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 18
Bikes: Rivendell Cheviot, 198? Austro-Daimler SLE (was smoked chrome until I went crazy with the Never Dull and Simichrome...bad idea), Davidson Impulse (frame only for now), 1984? Huffy Concours Professional, Felt Z90
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I think I messed up my Austro-Daimler smoked chrome SLE?
I've been on a chrome cleaning frenzy lately on another bike. Today I got this bright idea to clean the smoked chrome using Nevr Dull. It shined up real pretty but I think the smoke chrome is gone.
Based on what I've read I did think the smoke portion should have came off.
I don't know, if I look closely at the decals I see chrome that matches what it looks like now. So I'm really not sure if someone did not make their own smoke chrome with lacquer or nicotine stains ;-). The bike looks good like it is but can't help feeling like I ruined it. Maybe the smoked chrome on an SLE was not like that on a Vent Noir. :-(
Based on what I've read I did think the smoke portion should have came off.
I don't know, if I look closely at the decals I see chrome that matches what it looks like now. So I'm really not sure if someone did not make their own smoke chrome with lacquer or nicotine stains ;-). The bike looks good like it is but can't help feeling like I ruined it. Maybe the smoked chrome on an SLE was not like that on a Vent Noir. :-(
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Berkeley, CA
Posts: 7,252
Bikes: '72 Cilo Pacer, '72 Gitane Gran Tourisme, '72 Peugeot PX10, '73 Speedwell Ti, '74 Peugeot UE-8, '75 Peugeot PR-10L, '80 Colnago Super, '85 De Rosa Pro, '86 Look Equipe 753, '86 Look KG86, '89 Parkpre Team, '90 Parkpre Team MTB, '90 Merlin
Mentioned: 87 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 837 Post(s)
Liked 2,165 Times
in
559 Posts
I'm not excatly sure what finish AD used, but it sounds like it could have been what is sometimes called a "chromovelo" finish, which is basically a tint over the chrome. Usually it's a thin transparent metallic layer of paint--beautiful, but often prone to chipping. If that was the case, you should treat it like delicate paint and not metal (i.e. Never Dull could damage the finish). Pictures would sure be helpful, especially if you have before & after shots.
#3
All Campy All The Time
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 1,417
Bikes: Listed in my signature.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 177 Post(s)
Liked 114 Times
in
63 Posts
Some of the "gold" colored bikes in the 1980's were chrome that had a gold-orange colored clear coat sprayed over them. Had to be treated like paint, i.e., wax polish, not abrasive polish. Underneath was shiny chrome.
#4
Hopelessly addicted...
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Central Maryland
Posts: 4,955
Bikes: 1949 Hercules Kestrel, 1950 Norman Rapide, 1970 Schwinn Collegiate, 1972 Peugeot UE-8, 1976 Raleigh Sports, 1977 Raleigh Sports, 1977 Jack Taylor Tandem, 1984 Davidson Tandem, 2010 Bilenky "BQ" 650B Constructeur Tandem, 2011 Linus Mixte
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
9 Posts
where's puchfinnland when you need him?
#5
Newbie
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Apex, NC
Posts: 1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
New member to the site but have been lurking for a while.
I have an AD V/N with the smoked chrome finish. It's been ridden a lot but the finish is still pretty good. Let me know if you'd like a picture for comparison.
Many good miles on that bike;qualified for the '84 and '87 P-B-P on the AD V/N.
I have an AD V/N with the smoked chrome finish. It's been ridden a lot but the finish is still pretty good. Let me know if you'd like a picture for comparison.
Many good miles on that bike;qualified for the '84 and '87 P-B-P on the AD V/N.
#6
Senior Member
FWIW, I had a goldish smoked chrome Vent Noir II at one time and it seemed more like the color was part of the 'chrome' and not a chromovelo cover. It was a racing bike and had seen lots of action but there were no chips or places where shiny chrome came through the finish. I've heard speculation that the AD finish was similar to the industrial 'chrome' used for engine parts, etc. It certainly did not look like any standard chrome plating that I've ever seen.
Edit to add: I think I've seen some AD bikes that were painted on top of regular chrome. You'd probably know if that's what you have but just a thought.
Edit to add: I think I've seen some AD bikes that were painted on top of regular chrome. You'd probably know if that's what you have but just a thought.
#7
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 18
Bikes: Rivendell Cheviot, 198? Austro-Daimler SLE (was smoked chrome until I went crazy with the Never Dull and Simichrome...bad idea), Davidson Impulse (frame only for now), 1984? Huffy Concours Professional, Felt Z90
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Before
After
Bike is so hard to photograph.
After
Bike is so hard to photograph.
Last edited by williamldavis; 04-18-14 at 05:55 PM. Reason: forgot comment
#8
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 18
Bikes: Rivendell Cheviot, 198? Austro-Daimler SLE (was smoked chrome until I went crazy with the Never Dull and Simichrome...bad idea), Davidson Impulse (frame only for now), 1984? Huffy Concours Professional, Felt Z90
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Inline showing more chrome look.
#9
Stop reading my posts!
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 12,600
Mentioned: 90 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1449 Post(s)
Liked 1,071 Times
in
793 Posts
slight thread hijack: I don't know about what difference there might be between an SLE "smoked chrome" finish and a
Vent Noir, but I heard (and believed) that A-D used a "hard chrome" plating on the Vent Noir frames, similar to the plating used on motorcycle fork sliders, or perhaps some cylinder bores. Does anybody have confirmation of the truth of that hear-say?
Vent Noir, but I heard (and believed) that A-D used a "hard chrome" plating on the Vent Noir frames, similar to the plating used on motorcycle fork sliders, or perhaps some cylinder bores. Does anybody have confirmation of the truth of that hear-say?
#10
Banned.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 378 Post(s)
Liked 1,410 Times
in
910 Posts
OP, give us a shot of the same part of the bike before/after, like head tube.
Can't tell much from the pics you put up. shoot a higher res if possible, 1200 x 1024 max.
I know nothing about such chrome, but had a motorcycle like that, and about a week after I "polished" it, it returned to the smoked look.
Can't tell much from the pics you put up. shoot a higher res if possible, 1200 x 1024 max.
I know nothing about such chrome, but had a motorcycle like that, and about a week after I "polished" it, it returned to the smoked look.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Pinole, CA, USA
Posts: 17,392
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 443 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 28 Times
in
26 Posts
slight thread hijack: I don't know about what difference there might be between an SLE "smoked chrome" finish and a
Vent Noir, but I heard (and believed) that A-D used a "hard chrome" plating on the Vent Noir frames, similar to the plating used on motorcycle fork sliders, or perhaps some cylinder bores. Does anybody have confirmation of the truth of that hear-say?
Vent Noir, but I heard (and believed) that A-D used a "hard chrome" plating on the Vent Noir frames, similar to the plating used on motorcycle fork sliders, or perhaps some cylinder bores. Does anybody have confirmation of the truth of that hear-say?
#12
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 18
Bikes: Rivendell Cheviot, 198? Austro-Daimler SLE (was smoked chrome until I went crazy with the Never Dull and Simichrome...bad idea), Davidson Impulse (frame only for now), 1984? Huffy Concours Professional, Felt Z90
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
RobbieTunes I'll definitely get a better shot. I'm thinking you might be right about the smoke look coming back.
I think this thing was just the cleanest it has ever been, since I've had it. Looking at the actual chrome parts on the bike doesn't look the same as where I cleaned the frame.
The best way to describe it is like looking at chrome with sunglasses on. Just losing that goldish-brown patina was freaking me out.
Thanks to everyone that has responded.
I think this thing was just the cleanest it has ever been, since I've had it. Looking at the actual chrome parts on the bike doesn't look the same as where I cleaned the frame.
The best way to describe it is like looking at chrome with sunglasses on. Just losing that goldish-brown patina was freaking me out.
Thanks to everyone that has responded.
Last edited by williamldavis; 04-20-14 at 09:29 PM. Reason: grammatical
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Jantaras
Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals.
2
03-21-18 01:10 PM