|
| sprint5t | | Set |  |  | | Reg. Date | : | 07/02/2011 | | Posts | : | 355 | | Location | : | Ely, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom |
|
| | Posted : 13 Jan 2013 - 18:47 Post title : specialist metal/chroming advice required please | | | Specialist advice required
Could someone please provide some specialist advice, I need someone with a good level of knowledge and experience in the area of chrome plating.
I bought some Triumph chrome wheels from my Triumph dealer for my TBird 1700 last year.
I told the dealership last summer that the wheels were showing signs of corrosion and I showed the Triumph parts guy (Kerry) at Triumph Live. The dealer said they would contact Triumph, but unfortunately it seems that the parts guy has told them that the wheels were an "accessory" and therefore outside of any obligation by Triumph to keep stock of for x years. Just a bit of background BUT a separate issue to this post.
Apparently the wheels are "ally" wheels ... whatever that is, ...
Part 1 expert advice request starts here ! According to Triumph and the dealers it is not a metal that lends itself to be chromed. I am being offered the (only) option of having the wheels "powder coat" painted I would like them to be re-chromed but the general Triumph advice is that is not a good/potential alternative option.
Triumph dealer did mention chrome powder coat paint, that sounds a little weird, .. is that something anyone has seen/heard of ?
Part 2.. the inner part of the wheel rims are beginning to pit and are rough (catching on the cleaning cloths) , the inner part of the rims are the affected area and seem to be different to the five "spokes" these are large curves which are chromed (no obvious issues here) and have a rough cast finish, ... stupid question time,.. is it possible that the wheels and rims are different metals/finish ?
Should I push to have them re-chromed (any recommendations ?) or just have them powder coated. ... I like the bling so I'm very disappointed that the quality of this Triumph part is so very poor.
PS
the front wheel doesn't seem to be suffering the same level of corrosion yet.
| Thread Killer Extraordinaire
|
|
|
|
| mat1600 | | Thunderbird | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 06/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,596 | | Location | : | Bridlington, Democratic Independant State of Yorkshire, United Kingdom |
|
| | Posted : 13 Jan 2013 - 19:03 Post title : Re: specialist metal/chroming advice required please (Re: sprint5t) | | | Ally is aluminium (or aloooominum to our US friends) 
Chrome is best applied to steel parts - for a better quality finish and longevity.
The wheels and rims are all one piece.
The rear will be affected more.
Chrome powder coat is just very shiney powder coat. Looks ok but isn't as tough as chrome. Will dull after time.
Having them re-chromed will cause a lot of issues to Triumph. They will have to remove all the original chrome to start again, not easy !!!!!!!!
If they are less than a year old you should have a good warrenty issue. Although if they do not supply chrome wheels anymore they will only be prepared to offer you the closest alternative.
| My first natural instinct is to breathe. My second is to evade tax's.
|
|
|
|
| sprint5t | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 07/02/2011 | | Posts | : | 355 | | Location | : | Ely, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom |
|
| | Posted : 14 Jan 2013 - 17:37 Post title : Re: specialist metal/chroming advice required please (Re: mat1600) | | |
mat1600 wrote:
Ally is aluminium (or aloooominum to our US friends)
Chrome is best applied to steel parts - for a better quality finish and longevity.
The wheels and rims are all one piece.
The rear will be affected more.
Chrome powder coat is just very shiney powder coat. Looks ok but isn't as tough as chrome. Will dull after time.
Having them re-chromed will cause a lot of issues to Triumph. They will have to remove all the original chrome to start again, not easy !!!!!!!!
If they are less than a year old you should have a good warrenty issue. Although if they do not supply chrome wheels anymore they will only be prepared to offer you the closest alternative. |
|
Thanks Matt,  ... why would the rear be affected more ?
If the powder coat isn't as tough as chrome will this option of having them powder coated last even less time than the original chrome finish ?
Apparently when talking to other dealers they have also had all their chrome wheels back and have powder coated them for customers. ... seems to be the standard (easiest?) solution? 
| Thread Killer Extraordinaire
|
|
|
|
| mat1600 | | Thunderbird | | | | Reg. Date | : | 06/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,596 | | Location | : | Bridlington, Democratic Independant State of Yorkshire, United Kingdom |
|
| | Posted : 14 Jan 2013 - 19:54 Post title : Re: specialist metal/chroming advice required please (Re: sprint5t) | | | sprint5t wrote:
Thanks Matt, ... why would the rear be affected more ?
If the powder coat isn't as tough as chrome will this option of having them powder coated last even less time than the original chrome finish ?
Apparently when talking to other dealers they have also had all their chrome wheels back and have powder coated them for customers. ... seems to be the standard (easiest?) solution?
|
|
The rear just get all the pounding from the road shit that the bike kicks up.
Powder coat lasts a good time. It is fairly durable and hard wearing due to the way it is baked on in an oven.
There is also ceramic coating that is much better, harder, and a good finish. You could tap them up for that as it will be equal in cost to the extra you paid for the chrome. Maybe worth looking at that.
ask Fab. He has had his done and it looks really good. Look at his pics in his album (page 3 I think)
| My first natural instinct is to breathe. My second is to evade tax's.
| | Post edited by mat1600 on 14 Jan 2013 - 20:01 |
|
|
|
| mjgt | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 16/09/2011 | | Posts | : | 2,201 | | Location | : | North Somerset, United Kingdom |
|
| | Posted : 14 Jan 2013 - 20:10 Post title : Re: specialist metal/chroming advice required please (Re: sprint5t) | | | Don't go for a re-chrome, chrome on alloy is not usually a good idea because they have a different expansion rate so peeling is quite likely unless a lot of prep and the correct nickel first plate. You will be better of going for a powder coat in a nice colour, the chrome powder coat cannot be lacquered so will not be as durable as standard powder coat, the reason it is not lacquered is that it dulls the finish on the chrome effect. And it's not very UV resistant at the moment.
| Mick . . .  Keep the rubber side down!!
|
|
|
|
| fab | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 12/10/2009 | | Posts | : | 2,515 | | Location | : | wyong, nsw, Australia |
|
| | Posted : 14 Jan 2013 - 20:14 Post title : Re: specialist metal/chroming advice required please (Re: mjgt) | | | i have had my wheels and pulley done in ceramic and they look great and dont chip or scratch of stain 2+years now
the only down side to ceramic is they only do it in black or aluminium silver colours
|
Remember, soft cocks hang around all life long, hard ones come and go
ahh f**k im deep
|
|
|
|
| Lantesh | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 25/05/2011 | | Posts | : | 243 | | Location | : | United States |
|
| | Posted : 16 Jan 2013 - 01:50 Post title : Re: specialist metal/chroming advice required please (Re: fab) | | | The ceramic options sounds like the best choice, even if you have to kick in the difference. Better do that now than be unhappy in a couple of years, and have to pay the full amount yourself for a another re-coat.
|
|
|
|
| slotter32 | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 11/12/2011 | | Posts | : | 196 | | Location | : | Australia |
|
| | Posted : 16 Jan 2013 - 03:45 Post title : Re: specialist metal/chroming advice required please (Re: Lantesh) | | | The ceramic option may be an option but I don't consider it the best option. First sign of my chrome heading south and it's out with the bike. I have far too much invested in the bike and much of that is in accessory chrome. I have practically every dress up piece of chrome you can purchase from Triumph plus others from Harley and Kuryakyn. If I wanted powder coating I would have done that from the start and besides it's not chrome. It might be what some consider the best cruiser because of the power characteristics, handling and brakes but there is also fit and finish to be considered as well. If things like paint and chrome are shit then fix it Triumph or cop another loss to the competition.
| Mods: Chrome wheels, chrome forks, chrome water manifold, chrome switch blocks, front axle covers, Speedmaster tank badges, chrome pulley, chrome swing arm covers, chrome lower belt guide, chrome upper and lower fork yokes, deuce risers, kuryakan iso grips, chrome fork nut and centre bearing caps
| | Post edited by slotter32 on 16 Jan 2013 - 03:46 |
|
|
|
| Lantesh | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 25/05/2011 | | Posts | : | 243 | | Location | : | United States |
|
| | Posted : 16 Jan 2013 - 05:03 Post title : Re: specialist metal/chroming advice required please (Re: slotter32) | | | slotter32 wrote:
The ceramic option may be an option but I don't consider it the best option. First sign of my chrome heading south and it's out with the bike. I have far too much invested in the bike and much of that is in accessory chrome. I have practically every dress up piece of chrome you can purchase from Triumph plus others from Harley and Kuryakyn. If I wanted powder coating I would have done that from the start and besides it's not chrome. It might be what some consider the best cruiser because of the power characteristics, handling and brakes but there is also fit and finish to be considered as well. If things like paint and chrome are shit then fix it Triumph or cop another loss to the competition. |
|
Unless every chrome plated part on your bike is made out of aluminium like the wheels I think you're going to be ok.
|
|
|
|
| AleXL4 | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 17/09/2012 | | Posts | : | 571 | | Location | : | Gympie, Queensland, Australia |
|
| | Posted : 16 Jan 2013 - 10:03 Post title : Re: specialist metal/chroming advice required please (Re: slotter32) | | | Hello Glen,
A mate of mine has a Ducati sports thingy (848 something or other), and when he had a small incident where some shiny chrome plastic things and others parts were damaged, he found a place in Melbourne who could repair the plastics and completely rechrome all the pieces.
I was amased that this company could chrome anything, metals of whatever composition, along with any plastics etc.
The finish is excellent, flawless, and very durable.
Of course, as a Ducati owner, everything got chromed.
I could find out more on this subject tomorrow when I see him.
Cheers Alex
| Enjoying the Journey
|
|
|
|
| DizzE | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 12/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,141 | | Location | : | Sunnyvale, CA, United States |
|
| | Posted : 16 Jan 2013 - 14:33 Post title : Re: specialist metal/chroming advice required please (Re: mat1600) | | |
mat1600 wrote:
Ally is aluminium (or aloooominum to our US friends)
|
|
You say al-u-min-ium, we aloooominum....tamato, toMAto, let's call the whole thing off. 
|
|
|
|
| Ditch | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/11/2012 | | Posts | : | 228 | | Location | : | United Kingdom |
|
| | Posted : 16 Jan 2013 - 15:33 Post title : Re: specialist metal/chroming advice required please (Re: Lantesh) | | |
Lantesh wrote:
The ceramic options sounds like the best choice, even if you have to kick in the difference. Better do that now than be unhappy in a couple of years, and have to pay the full amount yourself for a another re-coat. |
|
"Ceramic" : "A Word of warning"!!!
As an owner Builder of a kit Car, i have spent a lot of time "12 years" down at the local powder coating firm, having suspension (Steel), water pipes (Aluminium) and a Shite load of other parts which would ultimately be on display when entering my car for shows, so the finish and durability had to be at the top of the list when deciding the type of finish to go for.
The old guy who own's the powder coating firm, whom have been in the coatings industry, for as many years I have been breathing on this planet gave me some invaluable advise when choosing the type of coating to go for, as I had raised this question to him regarding "Ceramic " vs "Powder Coat" ??
This is what he advised me.......
"Powder coat" will be a far more durable finish than Ceramic in the type of application you want, for this reason: "Powder coat" finish is a softer and more flexible coating, it will like any finish chip if impacted hard enough, but due to the materials flexible properties, and in adhering to the surface of the material it is being applied to, is a better all rounder, and as far as the different colours and final finishes the world is your oyster, limited only, by your imagination.
"Ceramic", has a far harder final finish, and due to it being this way, it does not have the flexible properties of Powder Coat, which yes it is "Bullet proof", but any movement at all in the material it has been applied to, will cause it to crack and break away, so it then becomes a more brittle finish, also the range of colours will be limited, unlike powder coat.
This is why the Automotive industry, very rarely use the process Ceramic / Coatings in the production of there products, yes they have used Ceramic in the production of high end braking parts, (i.e.) brake disc's, but they are solid material. but now the majority of Automotive industry has left that technology alone, and gone over for a less expensive and more efficient, and a greater flexibility material "Carbon".
Industry like Oven manufactures use it for it being ideal for its high temperature properties it has, but there is no movement in their products, they are fixed in place and solid, just like in the kitchen etc, so the final manufactured product is not flexing nor moving nor rotating, and coming in contact with the road etc, and everything that it has to throw at it.
So for the last 12 years I went with that advise, and it has left me in good stead, all the parts on the car which have been coated with this process, which are from the complete Chassis upwards, all suspension and everything else I have thank fully forgotten, but still look crisp and as new as when they where originally coated.
Hope that Helps Ditch.
|
|
|
|
|
| sprint5t | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 07/02/2011 | | Posts | : | 355 | | Location | : | Ely, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom |
|
| | Posted : 16 Jan 2013 - 22:48 Post title : Re: specialist metal/chroming advice required please | | | I've been looking at this company called Aerocoat ... I called them today they say they can do a chrome powdercoat (apparently they have a unique product of their own) which according to them has a laquer coat and they expect it to last over 6 years .
When the snow is gone I'll take the bike up to them and have a look at what they can do.
Link
take a look at the Youtube video mirror in a can. Link
| Thread Killer Extraordinaire
|
|
|
|
| mat1600 | | Thunderbird | | | | Reg. Date | : | 06/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,596 | | Location | : | Bridlington, Democratic Independant State of Yorkshire, United Kingdom |
|
| | Posted : 16 Jan 2013 - 23:04 Post title : Re: specialist metal/chroming advice required please (Re: sprint5t) | | |
| My first natural instinct is to breathe. My second is to evade tax's.
|
|
|
|
| Thumperama | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 20/02/2012 | | Posts | : | 68 | | Location | : | McKinney, TX, United States |
|
| | Posted : 19 Jan 2013 - 16:14 Post title : Re: specialist metal/chroming advice required please (Re: mat1600) | | | Ditch, you can't leave us hanging! Let's see some pics of the finished car! Beautiful work!
| I don't know how or when I'll die, just that someone will be holding my beer for me when I do.
|
|
|
|
| Ditch | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/11/2012 | | Posts | : | 228 | | Location | : | United Kingdom |
|
| | Posted : 19 Jan 2013 - 21:35 Post title : Re: specialist metal/chroming advice required please (Re: Thumperama) | | |
Thumperama wrote:
Ditch, you can't leave us hanging! Let's see some pics of the finished car! Beautiful work! |
|
Hi Bud,
A couple of photo's of the finished motor, hope you like !!
Ditch.
|
|
|
|
|
| mjgt | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/09/2011 | | Posts | : | 2,201 | | Location | : | North Somerset, United Kingdom |
|
| | Posted : 19 Jan 2013 - 21:38 Post title : Re: specialist metal/chroming advice required please (Re: Ditch) | | | Very nice
| Mick . . . Keep the rubber side down!!
|
|
|
|
| Ditch | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/11/2012 | | Posts | : | 228 | | Location | : | United Kingdom |
|
| | Posted : 19 Jan 2013 - 21:40 Post title : Re: specialist metal/chroming advice required please (Re: mjgt) | | | Cheers..
|
|
|
|
|
| Thumperama | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 20/02/2012 | | Posts | : | 68 | | Location | : | McKinney, TX, United States |
|
| | Posted : 19 Jan 2013 - 22:12 Post title : Re: specialist metal/chroming advice required please (Re: Ditch) | | | Absolutely stunning! Love the wheels.
I seem to remember a you tube video of a car similar to yours (actually no where near as nice) doing an amazing autocross run.
Link
| I don't know how or when I'll die, just that someone will be holding my beer for me when I do.
| | Post edited by Thumperama on 19 Jan 2013 - 22:13 |
|
|
|
| Ditch | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/11/2012 | | Posts | : | 228 | | Location | : | United Kingdom |
|
| | Posted : 19 Jan 2013 - 22:38 Post title : Re: specialist metal/chroming advice required please (Re: Thumperama) | | | TSW's in high chrome powder coat finish........Possibly a future finish on the T Bird wheels ?
Got to say it is the most fun within reasonable budget on 4 wheels, a replacement for when I totalled my Triumph ST sprint 955 12 yrs ago..... OUCH
|
| | Post edited by Ditch on 20 Jan 2013 - 16:26 |
|
|
|
| mat1600 | | Thunderbird | | | | Reg. Date | : | 06/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,596 | | Location | : | Bridlington, Democratic Independant State of Yorkshire, United Kingdom |
|
| | Posted : 19 Jan 2013 - 23:55 Post title : Re: specialist metal/chroming advice required please (Re: Ditch) | | | Spot on mate. Nice work. Got to agree, these things really give you a drive that out does anything else. You got me missing mine now.
| My first natural instinct is to breathe. My second is to evade tax's.
|
|
|
|
| Rodge | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 07/08/2012 | | Posts | : | 85 | | Location | : | Devon, United Kingdom |
|
| | Posted : 21 Jan 2013 - 13:52 Post title : Re: specialist metal/chroming advice required please (Re: sprint5t) | | |
sprint5t wrote:
If the powder coat isn't as tough as chrome will this option of having them powder coated last even less time than the original chrome finish ?
Apparently when talking to other dealers they have also had all their chrome wheels back and have powder coated them for customers. ... seems to be the standard (easiest?) solution?
|
|
FWIW, I had my VFR's wheels powdercoated in Metallic Gunmetal Grey 10 years ago and they came out fantastic for 30 GBP per wheel - a good price even back then. That bike is now my winter hack (that'll be most of the year then! ) so they've endured everything that the British climate can throw at them and had to wait a while between cleanings. They are exceptionally easy care.
They can be susceptible to chipping, particularly at tyre changing time, but the answer there is to use somewhere you can trust to do the job rather than some dodgy tyre monkey with inappropriate tools. Mine have been through a number of tyre changes and still look as good as ever they did.
For everything but cosmetic reasons, I wouldn't hesitate to get my T'bird wheels powder coated. My factory Ally wheels come up so well with 'Belgom Alu' that I'm persevering with them, but it's a close call here - I seriously under-use my Bird because the wheels fizz up so badly when they're exposed to the elements. It's not that I mind cleaning the bike, but I would like to do it when I want to rather than the moment I get off - or else! Powder coated wheels allow that, the originals don't, so I've unintentionally become a fair weather Bird rider.
Anyway, I hope that my experience is useful as you decide what to do with yours.
Regards,
| Rodge
|
|
|
|
| sprint5t | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 07/02/2011 | | Posts | : | 355 | | Location | : | Ely, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom |
|
| | Posted : 22 Jan 2013 - 01:05 Post title : Re: specialist metal/chroming advice required please (Re: Rodge) | | |
Rodge wrote:
sprint5t wrote:
If the powder coat isn't as tough as chrome will this option of having them powder coated last even less time than the original chrome finish ?
Apparently when talking to other dealers they have also had all their chrome wheels back and have powder coated them for customers. ... seems to be the standard (easiest?) solution?
|
|
FWIW, I had my VFR's wheels powdercoated in Metallic Gunmetal Grey 10 years ago and they came out fantastic for 30 GBP per wheel - a good price even back then. That bike is now my winter hack (that'll be most of the year then! ) so they've endured everything that the British climate can throw at them and had to wait a while between cleanings. They are exceptionally easy care.
They can be susceptible to chipping, particularly at tyre changing time, but the answer there is to use somewhere you can trust to do the job rather than some dodgy tyre monkey with inappropriate tools. Mine have been through a number of tyre changes and still look as good as ever they did.
For everything but cosmetic reasons, I wouldn't hesitate to get my T'bird wheels powder coated. My factory Ally wheels come up so well with 'Belgom Alu' that I'm persevering with them, but it's a close call here - I seriously under-use my Bird because the wheels fizz up so badly when they're exposed to the elements. It's not that I mind cleaning the bike, but I would like to do it when I want to rather than the moment I get off - or else! Powder coated wheels allow that, the originals don't, so I've unintentionally become a fair weather Bird rider.
Anyway, I hope that my experience is useful as you decide what to do with yours.
Regards, |
|
Thanks Rodge, ... think I'm going to go for a "chrome effect" powdercoat with another colour added to the laquer....
I'll post piccies when they are done.... Just so totally gutted that ??600 worth of Triumph chrome barely lasted a year and a few thousand (mainly dry) very pampered miles
John
| Thread Killer Extraordinaire
|
|
|