Painting chrome part
06-12-13, 02:49 PM
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Painting chrome part
I need to replace a fork but the only replacement I can find that reasonably matches the original is from Sunlite and only comes in chrome. The original fork was painted and there is no chrome and only a small amount of brushed silver aluminum alloy on the bike, so a chrome fork is going to stick out like a sore thumb.
My question is, if you sand or bead blast the fork to a dull finish, will polyurethane primer and 2-part PU paint (from the same system) properly adhere to the chromed part? Completely removing the chrome would be a real chore but scuffing it to a decent tooth wouldn't be a big deal.
Thanks in advance
My question is, if you sand or bead blast the fork to a dull finish, will polyurethane primer and 2-part PU paint (from the same system) properly adhere to the chromed part? Completely removing the chrome would be a real chore but scuffing it to a decent tooth wouldn't be a big deal.
Thanks in advance
06-12-13, 03:52 PM
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Yes a medis/sand blasting of a chromed ford will give a good surface for the primer to bite onto. Treat the blasted surface just like any steel one and you'll do fine. Do consider leaving the drop out faces unpainted. Their paint will just get scratched off anyway. Andy.
06-12-13, 03:53 PM
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Where's my spell check? This is a bike forum and not a car one... Andy.
06-12-13, 06:28 PM
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I don't mind chrome in it's place, but an all chrome fork on an otherwise chromeless bike would IMHO look tacky and scream aftermarket replacement. Now a chromed Ford, that's a different story 
Thanks for the replies but my problem was solved when further searching pulled up a painted fork by Dimension. It's chrome moly and, from what I can tell from the picture, looks identical to original equipment. Just gotta measure the steerer and double check the race diameter. Aren't all 1" steerers a 26.4 race diameter?
Has anyone ever used a Dimension steel replacement fork and what did you think of it? It lists at 389g uncut so it will be interesting to see how that compares to the dinged up hi-ten fork it will replace. I'm not a weight weenie, just curious.
Thanks for the replies but my problem was solved when further searching pulled up a painted fork by Dimension. It's chrome moly and, from what I can tell from the picture, looks identical to original equipment. Just gotta measure the steerer and double check the race diameter. Aren't all 1" steerers a 26.4 race diameter?
Has anyone ever used a Dimension steel replacement fork and what did you think of it? It lists at 389g uncut so it will be interesting to see how that compares to the dinged up hi-ten fork it will replace. I'm not a weight weenie, just curious.
