Hi
I have a fairly unused Huret Jubilee front derailleur. Sadly, the owner did not store it well, and although it hasn't seen much use, the chrome is bubbling everywhere on this mech, and the insides are quite rusty. Judging from the shift levers, I think Huret Chrome must be some of the worst chrome available ... and it needs rechroming.
Unlike campagnolo, this front cage pivots on steel pins and not on aluminum pins.
How can I rechrome this cage, which is riveted to the body ?? Here are some thoughts :
(a) The cage has a very nice black and gold "huret" logo. I could mask off the logo (masking tape ? masking compound ?? hot wax ??) and also mask off the rest of the derailleur and de-plate it with my brush chroming set, then try to replate it.
I'm a little apprehensive because my most recent brush chroming experience came out poorly. I rechromed a spidel/maillard skewer, and although it started out looking like a blackened krispy kritter from a fire, after several rounds of dremel wire brush and naval jelly and dunk-plating, it never developed any luster - just a dull silver finish. Either i didn't do it right, or my brush chroming set is wearing out.
(b) Alternately, after all this masking, take it to the local chrome shop. I am thinking they may not want to dunk something full of wax or masking compound in their muriatic acid bath. everything on this mech is riveted together except perhaps the front half band, so it would be quite large. Also, the steel pins might be a problem.
(c) If I take it to a machine shop can they drill out the pin and later make and install a new one ?? These pins, being steel, would be much tougher to drill than campagnolo and they seem to be better-finished than a campy pin (have a nice shiny dome). I would rather have a rusty cage than an obvious klugey pin replacement.
Has anyone else done this ?? Thanx,
- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA