Chroming Aluminium?

[VTR10001999]

Thanks to everyone that posted a reply.....

After reading everyones comments and doing a bit more research into it I have decided chroming isnt the way to go on a bike that will be ridden daily.
Although chroming would look good it seems to only be suitable for show bikes or people that have alot of spare time to keep it clean and polished.
I have narrowed it down to either getting parts polished and then a clear 2k paint/powder coating applied over top to protect it or just go with powder coating/painting,
Will post some before and after pics up once im done for anyone thats intrested.........

[98tls]

Have a mate that not long ago picked up a real bargain Storm,hes since painted the rims black and done a few other things,looks good.Chrome/polished etc has its place but not on a VTR or any other bike of similar era and ilk in my opinion.

[imdying]

Yeah you can lacquer over polish. It yellows. If it gets chipped, water gets in underneath and lifts it (because you can't key a polished surface or adhesion, obviously). Of course, it also dulls the finish, in exchange for easier maintenance, but sort of missing the point isn't it.

Polished aluminum is for shit that never goes anywhere like show cars etc. Chrome is much better for durability, finish, and maintenance. If you don't neglect it, you can just wipe it with a rag and give it a buff. Polished aluminium's idea of neglect is being given an hour to start oxidising. Fuck. That. Shit.

There's a reason powdercoat is so popular... easy to maintain, cheap to have applied, more durable than paint. The finish is rubbish compared to a more durable (in most applications) 2k paint though... orange peel, can't be buffed to a mirror finish. There's also bake enamelling; your local powdercoater could talk you through all the options. Also, there are ceramic coatings that are shiny like polished aluminum, but very durable, and have the maintenance of powdercoat. It's a good balance, but pricey.

Paint technology continues to advance, taking chrome-like paints with it. They're not cheap, but give a good finish and easy to maintain. Sure it's never the same as chrome or polished metal, but then again it looks better 99% of the time (that 1% being when the chrome or polishing has just been redone).

Don't get me wrong... one of the sexiest bike parts I've ever seen was a Honda pro-arm completely mirror polished. To remove all the casting marks and take it from rough cast to that finish was mega work. I just never want to be the person who has to look after it.

[bucket boy]

If you want to polish the parts,you can put this stuff called adhesive promoter which is clear doesnt yellow or chip easy.

[mossy1200]

If you want to polish the parts,you can put this stuff called adhesive promoter which is clear doesnt yellow or chip easy.

Or pull it apart and polish it after every ride..

[bucket boy]

Or pull it apart and polish it after every ride..

That looks more like a brush ali finish.

[imdying]

Or pull it apart and polish it after every ride..

That's not a polished finish though.

If those are your standards, then that's relatively easy to maintain.

[bucket boy]

That's not a polished finish though.

If those are your standards, then that's relatively easy to maintain.

Boy and i was trying to be nice.

[mossy1200]

Boy and i was trying to be nice.

Is ok that was early days of ownership a few hours after getting it home.

Still not polished lol. Idd go with an easier option.

[jonbuoy]

A good quality 2K clearcoat (stuff you shouldn´t really spray in the garage without the proper breathing kit) shouldn't yellow or have orange peel if its done well - a 1K lacquer will yellow and need buffing to get rid of the orange peel. Something like this:-

http://www.refinishsystems.com/produ...talClearCoat1L