I have at least 5 all-chrome frames, three early to mid 70's Paramounts, a 1962 Schwinn Superior, and a Yukota track bike. Also a number of bikes with chromed or partly chromed forks and stays, some of which are probably fully chromed under the paint.
Chrome resists chips and scratches much better than paint, and unless left frequently in the rain and neglected in terms of cleaning and waxing, it resists rust well, at least most older chromed frames. I can't really comment on the quality of current chroming versus that In The Day.
There do seem to be some differences in the durability of chrome finishes between brands of classic bikes. Higher end Schwinns, aside from a tendency for thin chrome in the BB area in some years, seem to have had excellent quality chroming which proves extremely durable. I suppose Schwinn and others who long offered fully chromed models would be expected to do a better job than those who offered partial chroming. I don't know if the secret to durable chrome was the thickness of the chrome, the quality of the nickel plating beneath, the preparation of the bare tubes, or all of the above.
IMHO chrome looks really good on bikes as well.
Regards,
Jerry Moos
Big Spring, Texas, USA
> From: Mark Lawrence <mark.lawrence@firstreadthis.com>
\r?\n> Subject: Re: [CR] "Practical" Chromed Frame
\r?\n> To: "gholl@optonline.net" <gholl@optonline.net>, "Classic Rendezvous" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
\r?\n> Date: Thursday, June 11, 2009, 11:52 AM
\r?\n> Hello George,
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Thanks for your answer. I have recently acquired an vintage
\r?\n> make steel bicycle frame that has remained in storage and is
\r?\n> unpainted save for a primer coat. Aside from
\r?\n> considering whether the maker would have originally used
\r?\n> chrome, I'm wondering if chrome is worth the effort.
\r?\n> Bob Jacksons offer it, and several list-members have said
\r?\n> that it lasts extremely well if waxed.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> I'm sorry that you've doubted my use of the word
\r?\n> practical. In Oxford English, the word 'practical'
\r?\n> distinguishes an object that can be used from one that is
\r?\n> purely decorative.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Thanks again for replying,
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Mark Lawrence
\r?\n> Oxford
\r?\n> England
\r?\n>
\r?\n>
\r?\n> -----Original Message-----
\r?\n> From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org
\r?\n> [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org]
\r?\n> On Behalf Of gholl@optonline.net
\r?\n> Sent: 11 June 2009 17:07
\r?\n> To: Classic Rendezvous
\r?\n> Subject: [CR] "Practical" Chromed Frame
\r?\n>
\r?\n> This is a curious question since the answer will hinge on
\r?\n> the reader's sense of what "practical" means.
\r?\n> If "useful" is the idea, chrome is useful in resisting some
\r?\n> forms of damage which paints cannot-thus, chainstays, etc.
\r?\n> were chromed on some framesets while the rest of the bike
\r?\n> was painted.
\r?\n> If the sense is taken as "sensible" the answer is probably
\r?\n> no-chromed frames are pricey, prone to problems, and if
\r?\n> damaged must be completely redone.
\r?\n> If the question is a furtive attempt to determine the
\r?\n> practicality of chroming a previously chromed painted
\r?\n> frameset, you will quickly find that, while possible, it's a
\r?\n> very expensive procedure that not too many chromers will
\r?\n> undertake and, will be expensive if they do.
\r?\n> Among the issues in chroming a frameset lie chroming
\r?\n> tank size, frame preparation, frame drainage and
\r?\n> neutralization of the frame interior, to mention a few.
\r?\n> Also know that painting over chrome is very tough and, if
\r?\n> decals are applied to a chrome frameset, it is likely that
\r?\n> it will have to be clearcoated.
\r?\n> All this having been said, there's not too much in
\r?\n> "cycle-glitz" that will top the attention garnered by a well
\r?\n> chromed frameset-other than perhaps a gilt frameset.
\r?\n> George
\r?\n>
\r?\n> George Hollenberg MD
\r?\n> CT, USA