Re: [CR]Getting parts rechromed

(Example: Framebuilders:Richard Moon)

From: Donald Gillies <gillies@cs.ubc.ca>
Date: Tue, 2 Nov 2004 16:33:37 -0800 (PST)
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR]Getting parts rechromed

Here are a few things I've learned about replating :

(a) load-bearing interfaces should generally be masked. It costs $8 for masking compound at http://www.caswellplating.com. Examples are steel crank tapers, headset races, etc.

(b) Small parts (less than 1" of surface) should not be rechromed at a chromer. They will likely melt the part in muriatic (hydrocholoric acid), which is very strong and attacks steel just as quickly as it attacks rust, and if they don't melt it fully, then they will etch it by deplating for too long, and if that doesn't work the polisher will abuse it enough to really ruin the logo, etc. Don't take small parts to a plater. They will take too long and your "Brev Campagnolo" QR paddles will become "rev Campa" QR paddles once the polisher gets done with them.

(c) For small parts, use a dremel with a wire brush ($20 at kmart, seriously), and a 5-min bath in naval jelly to pickle the object, then clean it up with a wire brush and take it to the plater for electro-de-plating which is the only process that will preserve stamped logos. After de-plating you get the parts back and repolish them yourself to a chrome-like mirror finish, with a $20 dremel from kmart and some $0.10 sandpaper from caswellplating.com. The mirror finish easily be achieved with sandpaper, rubbing compounds and enough elbow grease.

At this point you can either rechrome small parts (brush plating kits at http://www.caswellplating.com for $28), or take it back to the plater. For a crankset it may be o.k. to do the whole thing at a good plater, if they understand how to preserve logos and if it's not terribly rusted, etc.

If the thing is badly pitted you will need an expert plater that can plate with copper and then fill pits with lead during the replating process. Many shops do not have this skill level.

- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA