Chrome! Ugh!

[Padre4art]

OK. So, I bought this bike sight unseen from eBay, from California, maybe you saw it, 722 miles on a 1979 F (standard).

It's in quite good shape except for one thing. The chrome plating on everything - is much more weathered than I had been expecting. Mufflers, pipes, handlebars, grab bars, turn signals, everything is pimpled with light oxidation. Quite visible in the sunlight.

Is it possible to rechrome the pipes and mufflers? Does anybody know of any chrome platers that work on motorcycle parts for reasonable prices?

I am thinking of focusing more on functionality than on appearance. Lots to do in that department as well, to resuscitate this thing that has been sleeping for many years.

I had bought one new out of the crate in 1981 (same year and model, the other color). So, I was delighted to more or less 'buy it back' after all these years. Sold my original (new) one which was pristine in 1983 when the first baby came into the picture.

Blessings

Art

[DavePlum]

I can't answer your chrome plating question as I've never had it done but from what I've heard it's expensive! On the bright side I'm getting ready to part out a 79 Special and the chrome on most of the bike is in really good shape, especially front and rear fenders. PM me if you're interested.

Congrats on the bike!

[donebysunday]

Brass brush

A brass brush works on stock chrome nicely, clean up what you can and then work on the other parts that don't clean up so nice. Corners and welds that you can't get at with the brush (try different sizes/shape brushes) you can put chrome paint on and then brush when dry leaving the rusty areas coated and blended in with the chrome.
Beware after market parts as most don't have the hard surface that stock chrome does and will show light scratches even using the soft brass brush.

[Prothec]

I get the best results cleaning up chrome with aluminum foil and water. It's aggressive enough to remove the oxidation and rust from the tiny pits, but soft enough to not damage the chrome. The before and after can be pretty amazing.

I finish with Mothers Mag & Aluminum polish, then a spray wax.

Whatever you do, don't use steel-anything (steel wool, steel wire brushes, etc). It will embed little bits in the tiny pits in the chrome and promote rust.

[Ranger_xs1100]

I've had great results with "Turtle Wax Chrome Polish"....
easy to use and worked very well for me.

[Padre4art]

Thanks guys . . . Appreciate your support!

[mack]

chrome

Autosol makes a paste polish for both aluminum and chrome. It's what I use.

[2manybikes]

Chrome

+1 on the "Mothers mag and aluminum polish". It does say not to use it on chrome, but I have been using it for YEARS, and never had a problem. Mothers does make a polish for chrome, but I was not impressed. In fact, I will go as far as saying I use the Mag and aluminum polish at least once a week on various projects. I also use non abrasive "Scotch Brite" type pads with it to do some of the initial cleaning if its extra funky. Tooth brushes and Q-Tips can get into a lot of tight spacs as well. I've been working on a 96 Moto Guzzi California I pulled out of a barn, for a year and a half. A lot of the chrome I thought was toast, has cleaned up very nicely with Mothers. One thing you should consider about cleaning up partially crapped out chrome, (or aluminum) it wont stay nice and shiney without periodic maintenance. I am fortunate to have a climate controlled environment for my bikes, and it makes a huge difference.

Chrome plating is expensive. If you cant find a good used part, or an occasional N.O.S. part, Pauls Chroming plating Inc/ 800-245-8679. http://www.paulschrome.com has done a good job for me in the past. I am in the process of gathering up another box of stuff to send them. Their web site has an easy to use form for submitting a request for a quote.

[Prothec]

+1 on the "Mothers mag and aluminum polish". It does say not to use it on chrome, but I have been using it for YEARS, and never had a problem.

I haven't seen anything that says don't use it on chrome. They just give the blanket disclaimer for use on "all polishable metals" and to try it in an inconspicuous area. If it doesn't leave a black residue on the rag they say to stop and it isn't polishable. I started using it because I saw others recommend it and I had a jar sitting on the shelf for years.

Applying wax to the chrome should help keep the pin hole rust spots away, sealing out water. It's amazing how bad they can look for as small as the holes can be.

[2manybikes]

Chrome

Prothec, Turn the can around and look at the very first line. "Not recommended for gold plating, chrome, anodized, painted or coated surfaces".

[jetmechmarty]

Maybe it has too much abrasive for chrome.

[Prothec]

Prothec, Turn the can around and look at the very first line. "Not recommended for gold plating, chrome, anodized, painted or coated surfaces".

They put it in a red box above everything else!!!! Couldn't they have made it more obvious????

Perhaps the key is to use it once to clean up the chrome and no need to go back for seconds.

I don't know, I have heard other anecdotal evidence that it works well, but apparently something to use sparingly. Apparently, use at your own risk, though!

[robbo]

Coke

How about this top tip

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkHyARsjNEg

[skids]

Looks too easy. I am going to try it.