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idb
11th September 2006, 16:20
I have done a bit of a search on this but I thought it might be worth starting from scratch to get an update on folks' experiences and recommendations.

It's time to start restoring the Darmah and my first act is to get some chroming done.
There's not a lot on there but I do need to get the mufflers and headers done.
I have had a crowd in Palmerston North recommended to me but would welcome any other suggestions.

Cheers

SARGE
11th September 2006, 16:23
I have done a bit of a search on this but I thought it might be worth starting from scratch to get an update on folks' experiences and recommendations.

It's time to start restoring the Darmah and my first act is to get some chroming done.
There's not a lot on there but I do need to get the mufflers and headers done.
I have had a crowd in Palmerston North recommended to me but would welcome any other suggestions.

Cheers

stay off chrome man .. go with HPC (http://www.hpcoatings.co.nz/about.htm)

What?
12th September 2006, 07:19
stay off chrome man .. go with HPC (http://www.hpcoatings.co.nz/about.htm)

Ordinarily, I would agree, but the man is restoring a Darmah. He needs chrome...
90% of the mission is in finding an outfit that will do used exhaust pipes - many won't touch them.

imdying
12th September 2006, 08:01
There's a place in Timaru that is pretty good.

idb
12th September 2006, 08:28
There's a place in Timaru that is pretty good.

Yeah, I've heard of them but a friend of a friend got a poor job back from them a while ago.
That's one of the problems with word of mouth I suppose.

Does anyone else know anything about the Timaru crowd?

Paul in NZ
12th September 2006, 08:45
I'm sure 'Valley Platers' here in Wellington have a vat for exhausts.

I'll be out that way in the next week or so to ask em about it and if so I'll give you a hoy.

I need to strip a couple of mufflers for repair and replate. Replicas are OK but just don't sound quite 'right' somehow...

SARGE
12th September 2006, 08:54
Ordinarily, I would agree, but the man is restoring a Darmah. He needs chrome...
90% of the mission is in finding an outfit that will do used exhaust pipes - many won't touch them.

HPC does a chrome - like coating.. (http://www.hpcoatings.co.nz/exhaust.htm)looks great and really weathers well.. and they do used parts

Hotchefnz
12th September 2006, 11:35
Just followed up on HPC - I'm impressed with the web site.
I emailed an enquiry and they phoned within an hour talked me through the process, answered some questions - gave me a very very good price on the goods.
I can't wait to see the goods when they get back.

But Thanks for the info SARGE, another great piece of info from this site and I would recommend the service from HPC, and if the product is as good as the service, I will pass this on.:rockon:

idb
12th September 2006, 11:50
Thanks Paul and Sarge.

imdying
12th September 2006, 17:50
Yeah, I've heard of them but a friend of a friend got a poor job back from them a while ago.
That's one of the problems with word of mouth I suppose.

Does anyone else know anything about the Timaru crowd?

The work I've had done by them was excellent. The absolute most shocking chrome plating I've ever seen was done by Accord Electroplaters. They are the biggest bunch of fuckin losers I've ever ever seen. I hope the meteorite landed on their building and killed them all. Ahem.

What?
12th September 2006, 17:55
HPC does a chrome - like coating.. (http://www.hpcoatings.co.nz/exhaust.htm)looks great and really weathers well.. and they do used parts

Oooh errr - that does look rather good. Certainly not the finish I was thinking of (more of an aluminium look)

Kickaha
12th September 2006, 21:42
Does anyone else know anything about the Timaru crowd?

They were recommended to me buy one of the polishing outfits in Chch

just remember good chroming relies on good preparation

classic zed
14th September 2006, 22:02
Otahu Chrome in Auckland did all the work on my restoration, 6 downpipes, 2 big mufflers and 4 heat shields cost me just over $800.00 they were in pretty bad condition but look like new now:2thumbsup

idb
14th September 2006, 22:10
Well, I've asked around in the real world as well and Timaru Electroplaters appear to be acknowledged as very reliable and very good operators.

I rang them, they have no problem with pipes and they do all the preparation, cleaning off the crud, buffing out any rust, removing the old chrome.

I dont have much rust to speak of, it's just surface stuff on the chrome so I'm not worried about the pipes ending up too thin.

It just shows, I think, how easy it is for one bad job coupled with word of mouth to really hurt you.

Anyway, I trust the people I've spoken to and I'll give them a go.

I'm fixing the thing up with the intention of taking it to the Isle of Man and a European jaunt next year.

Ohhh yessss!!!!

Pat
15th September 2006, 17:05
I like ''classic red'' have used Otahu platers and found them good.I have also used Gisborne electroplaters and Valley platers in the Hutt Valley all with good results but Otahu had the edge , good to deal with and dont mind a challenge
Pat

scumdog
15th September 2006, 22:54
Had a good spin with the Timaru crowd a few years ago but i.m.h.o. modern chrome is not as durable as old skool chrome.

I think it is something to do with the fact they are not permitted to use as volatile and harsh chemicals as they once were.(so I've been told)

Kickaha
16th September 2006, 07:54
Had a good spin with the Timaru crowd a few years ago but i.m.h.o. modern chrome is not as durable as old skool chrome.

I think it is something to do with the fact they are not permitted to use as volatile and harsh chemicals as they once were.(so I've been told)

I think it more likely that it comes down to the indivdual applicator, the time and effort they are prepared to spend on it,how much pride they have in their work and how much someone is prepared to pay

http://www.superstreetbike.com/features/chrome_plating_process/

in this article it says industry standard is copper, nickel, chrome for a better finish,my understanding is that is not always the case here

TLDV8
16th September 2006, 10:32
Otahuhu Chrome Platers do Triple chrome( Copper/Nickel/Chrome)
0-9-2769689 ..I think one thing to be aware of with exhaust chroming is the acid used to clean the internals on used systems.I have heard more than one horror story of mufflers being rechromed then rotting out from the inside (one H2 set hadn't been used since chroming )..perhaps only appying to those with seams (unlike a Conti)

Never discount new.....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ducati-Bevel-Darmah-RH-exaust-pipe-NOS_W0QQitemZ280027716680

imdying
16th September 2006, 16:13
Otahuhu Chrome Platers do Triple chrome( Copper/Nickel/Chrome)

Just from word of mouth, I understand that these guys do excellent work as well, at least as good as the Timaru crowd, if not better.

degrom
20th September 2006, 23:01
I have done a bit of a search on this but I thought it might be worth starting from scratch to get an update on folks' experiences and recommendations.

It's time to start restoring the Darmah and my first act is to get some chroming done.
There's not a lot on there but I do need to get the mufflers and headers done.
I have had a crowd in Palmerston North recommended to me but would welcome any other suggestions.

Cheers

Any news or approximate price?

idb
21st September 2006, 10:01
Any news or approximate price?

I rang Timaru last week and they had no issue with doing pipes.
I asked what sort of condition they wanted them in and they said that they would prefer to do all the preparation/de-gunging work themselves so I sent them off to Timaru this week.
I didn't ask them for a price but a friend got a similar job done a couple of years ago for about $250.00 - so I'm expecting up to $400.

Apparently they should take no more than a fortnight so I'll let y'all know when they come back.

idb
20th October 2006, 08:05
Well, got all my chrome back from Timaru.
They took a week to do it but weren't happy with the results so they sent them back to the bath.
All up I only had to wait about two weeks.

Two headers, two flange nuts, two Conti pipes - $520 including courier.

They look really good.

Squiggles
23rd October 2006, 08:59
got any before and after pics???

miSTa
23rd October 2006, 20:20
They look really good.

Yes, of course they do but can you prove it?

idb
24th October 2006, 15:47
Erm no...I didn't take any before shots.
But I'm widely known on this site as a bloke of integrity and impeccable honesty - so you can believe me.

Drogen Omen
31st July 2011, 21:19
any one know where i can fine some one that does headlight chrome plating???

jellywrestler
1st August 2011, 19:51
any one know where i can fine some one that does headlight chrome plating???

Try gisborne electroplaters.
I've got som estuff at Advanced in Hamilton who do a very good finish most of the time trouble is it's a few hours short of six months since I took it there...

pete376403
1st August 2011, 21:04
I got some stuff done at zinc & chrome in gracefield a while ago (quite a while ago) but they're still in the phone book so should still be in operation.

04-568 5924
162 Gracefield Rd Lower Hutt 5010

jellywrestler
2nd August 2011, 19:08
I got some stuff done at zinc & chrome in gracefield a while ago (quite a while ago) but they're still in the phone book so should still be in operation.

04-568 5924
162 Gracefield Rd Lower Hutt 5010

yep and had about three different crews/owners in the last year....
Not sure of the experience and quality of the current crew.

F5 Dave
3rd August 2011, 17:48
Zinc & Chrome
They got bought out by a customer out of necessity. My pipe came back ok, but they didn't polish it back to remove all the (std) surface blasting that the paint covered. They should have called to ask if that was acceptable.

It sat there for 2 weeks before I called & they had to send it elsewhere to get it stripped, is that ok? Again should have called. Guy was pretty surly & took 6 weeks by time sorted out what was quoted as 2 weeks.

In the end given the std surface treatment they had to cope with I was pleased enough with the result as it was for a dirtbike & the rough bits are hidden.

But typical kiwi business. She'll be right & Customer who?
C'mon guys show some initiative.

Drogen Omen
3rd August 2011, 20:47
i'm from Wellington, i tried Zinc and Chrome but they cant re-chrome plastic... and unfortunately my headlights are plastic. so need to find some one that can do electroplating on plastic...

F5 Dave
4th August 2011, 09:25
Ahh well gee no wonder. That is pretty specialised. Try aussie maybe. Or just price up a new one.

Rodger96
7th August 2011, 20:02
Winteringham Electroplaters Invercargill

imdying
9th August 2011, 11:46
i'm from Wellington, i tried Zinc and Chrome but they cant re-chrome plastic... and unfortunately my headlights are plastic. so need to find some one that can do electroplating on plastic...
These guys
http://www.chrometech.com.au/

They've even chrome plated apples IIRC.

JohnR39
2nd May 2012, 17:01
Winteringham Electroplaters Invercargill

Rodger I would like to hear more about Winteringham. They are local and would be convenient for me but the last time I had pipes chromed for my BSA R3 in Invers the chrome bubbled off in the first half mile. How is their quality these days?

Rodger96
28th May 2012, 15:24
Hi there how long ago did your get bsa stuff done,I gota set of headers done for my car at winteringhams three days later I did a burnout comp 3.5mins later tyres blew engine extremely hot and headers looked like they just been chromed I was stoked service was good and Steve is a keen motorcyclists him self so 10/10 for me!