Black Chrome – Experiences and opinions

[imdying]

the Black coating is DLC (diamond like carbon)and is supposedly harder and less stiction that the gold TiN coating

The black coating is black chrome. DLC is actually a colourless coating that reduces stiction, and is applied over top of the regular plating.

That the black fork legs are thought to be DLC and not black chrome is a common misconception that has been perpetuated by the GSXRs being advertised as having DLC, with no mention of the black chrome. In fact, the GSXRs with black legs are indeed colourless DLC over regular black chrome.

TiN coating is the same, it too is applied over top of regular chrome plating. Which is why when the TiN coating wears off (common on the K1/K2 GSXR1000 range), you see the regular chrome plating exposed beneath.

In theory, you could DLC over top of regular clear(?) chrome, over TiN (although why would you), and conversely, you could TiN over black chrome.

/edit: some more info here http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache...lnk&cd=1&gl=nz

Diamond-like Carbon (DLC) as seen on 2003 Suzuki GSX-R 1000K3 and new 2004 Kawasaki ZX-10

Note that DLC is colourless!!

The black colour seen on the GSXR1000K3 is achieved with black chrome tubes with DLC over that.

There website has been down for a few months, which sucks, as they're the only crowd I know of in NZ that does either TiN or DLC. Rather than a GSXR front end conversion, I was considering just tricking up the factory front end... end the end I'm slow as shite, I'm only doing it for the bling. Fraser has the hook ups for a 6 pot caliper set for me that'll bolt straight on, but if I can't trick up the forks, that avenue is closing. If you know of another place in NZ that does TiN coatings, please let me know. Or, if you know of who this Racing Links outfit is, please me know that too!

/edit2: Flicked an email of the racinglinks, but it was bounced by the mail server straight away

Someone in the racing scene must know of them though?

/edit3: Worse still, the domain name has expired, so the whois reveals nothing.

[Kickaha]

The black coating is black chrome. DLC is actually a colourless coating that reduces stiction, and is applied over top of the regular plating.

So the black is only decorative?

[imdying]

So the black is only decorative?

I guess, in a way, yeah

You do need to have the base coat (chrome) before adding DLC or TiN, so it's not totally decorative... that they choose to make that base coat black and not silver chrome, that is purely a decorative or aesthetic choice that some designer made

[What?]

With the onslaught of solar heating, I have found a place in Christchurch that is gearing up with a bigger bath than they currently have for doing black chrome. ( Black chrome is used in solar heating panels)

It would be interesting to compare the price of black chrome plating to HPC coating - I think HPC might be able to give almost the same look without the disadvantages of chrome plate.
Keep us updated.

[Sanx]

You could try Mt Eden Metal Polishers on Khyber Pass in Auckland. Obviously getting the fork stanchions up here would be a pain in the arse, but they do a lot of restorative plating and polishing work on cars and bikes, plus anything else metal. And they might be able to recommend someone down in ChCh.

[imdying]

Best way to send them is in a solid sided gun case. They're prelined with foam etc, and not as long as a rifle... perfect.

[soundbeltfarm]

Buuuttt.... there's there new paint around, you might have seen it crazefox, it's for painting over chrome. It comes in a whole rainbow of colours, do you know what it is?

Might be worth looking into, I see you're in Christchurch slam07, I'm pretty sure last time I was in RJ Pattersons they had a display stand with it. Given that you can't 'key' the chrome with sandpaper before you start, I would be asking some pointed questions about its ability to stick long term.

is this what you mean?
the colourchrome kit is about 169 dollars and for just the colours is about 169 for three colours.
www.por15.co.nz

[imdying]

Yep, that'll be the stuff, or something close to it