Electroplating woes

[SpankMe]

I not very happy with the work done by Eden Electroplaters.

I had my GB500 exhaust chromed by them. Just a few weeks after I put it on it started getting surface rust along the back pipe and near the header pipes. I took it back to show them and they agreed to redo it.

A week later I get my pipe back and I put it back on the bike. Only a couple of days later not only do I get a bill from them for the job they were redoing to fix their first attempt, but the chrome around the header pipes starts to bubble and peel off.

I am going to take it back to them again, but only to show them their crappy work. I don’t trust them enough anymore to give them a third attempt. I am now looking for recommendations for reliable electroplaters to chrome my pipe again, when I can afford it.

[White trash]

It's a tough one that, I was led to believe years ago, that rechromeing exjaust systems was nigh on impossible and not to bother, by an electroplater. Not real big on the chemistry side but he did tell me why and I promptly forgot it.

[froggyfrenchman]

yeah, im afraid wt is right, the steel in the headers closest to the ports changes temprature to both extremes every time you ride, this affects the steel and it gets that sandpaper look. mant people assume it is just the chrome, but it is the steel. Before the nickle coat, and again before the chrome coat they pollish the hell out of the pipes, thus smoothing the bumps down. Then when you start riding it again, it will eithe bubble or get the sandpaper look again. Im afraid the only way to get perfect headers on a gb is to get new ones made... i made my own, but was a cunt of a job and i would never do it again!

As for my qualifications, my family owned S&S plating for 15 years, you pick up a thing or two, also i bend tube into complex forms for a living these days.

To conclude my ramblings... Thats a bugger of a suituation youre in, but i cant think of any way out

[myvice]

Electroplating will only work when the metal is stripped bare, any residue of any sort will cause the chrome to lift off the metal.
So any oil, silicone, dust, or anything else on your pipes and you will be wasting your time.
They should have told you this to start with! Best bet is to start with brand new pipes and have them acid dipped then steam cleaned then have the job done.
If they strip them back now they may pit the metal and you will end up with a worse job than you have now!
When you get your pipes back you have to silicone or polish them to protect them from the elements to prevent corrosion.

Mrs myvice.

[White trash]

Good of them to take your money twice though, very thoughtfull.

[Ixion]

Stainless steel ?

I to have heard that replating exhausts was not a goer, though I thought it was because the platers didn't want exhaust muck getting into their baths.

[Kickaha]

I had the Header pipes on my Ducati done by a guy in Chch and they came out awesome with none of the above problems, his preperation was first rate and the job was better than any I have ever seen since, unfortunately he has since got out of the business and I've yet to find any one that can do as good a job

So a good job can be done but it might be a problem finding someone who can do it to the required standard

Did they strip them and polish them first?

[HDTboy]

Auckland Electroplaters are good

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Auckland Electroplaters are good

I have been told this as well. I had a set of fork shafts to be done and the local platers told me to send them to Auckland because they had a special acid bath and the gear to prep the steel. I think you should have been told about the problem from the plates Spank and I would withhold the second payment and talk about it with them. I know the shafts I wanted to do had no heat factor but the info backs the statement above.

[texmo]

There is a place in hasley st in town going down fanshawe towards to motorway its the first street before vicky park, My work got some lettering done there in satan chrome and stayed mint for ages, the dude there is some old frother which makes it even better.

[Motu]

Eden ''used'' to be one of the best platers around.when I had some stuff done there the guy said ''this won't rust'' Oh yeah I thought,so when I cut some out of my pipes to get the correct length,I tossed it onto the car port roof.It was out there for years,and when I finally got it off it was only rusty on the inside,the chrome was perfect.But I doubt the same people run it now,they'd be walking skeletons.

[SpankMe]

Well since it is a New Zealand made custom exhaust by Cycleworks, I think my best bet is to buy a new chrome one from them, next year maybe. Will see how long the current one lasts as is.

[DEATH_INC.]

Try Gisborne electroplaters,they can chrome alloy wheels (yep,bike one's too),the only guys I could find that could.They must have some pretty good gear,may be worth the phonecall...

[Pixie]

There is a place in hasley st in town going down fanshawe towards to motorway its the first street before vicky park, My work got some lettering done there in satan chrome and stayed mint for ages, the dude there is some old frother which makes it even better.

Satan Chrome!!!!!

[Zookey]

I not very happy with the work done by Eden Electroplaters.

I had my GB500 exhaust chromed by them. Just a few weeks after I put it on it started getting surface rust along the back pipe and near the header pipes. I took it back to show them and they agreed to redo it.

A week later I get my pipe back and I put it back on the bike. Only a couple of days later not only do I get a bill from them for the job they were redoing to fix their first attempt, but the chrome around the header pipes starts to bubble and peel off.

I am going to take it back to them again, but only to show them their crappy work. I don’t trust them enough anymore to give them a third attempt. I am now looking for recommendations for reliable electroplaters to chrome my pipe again, when I can afford it.

D/I has the the goods .Gisborne Electro platers lol,rough alloy Harley rims chromed smooth like a babies ,no like my Busas tank