Is it advisable to Chrome your bike exhaust?

[Gerald]

Hi guys, I heard that its not advisable to rechrome your exhaust and engine case due to the heat. The chrome will crack after sometime.

 

Any expert advice here?

[Gerald]

anyone????

[s4vtec]

to what i know, there are different types of chroming...

for chroming that resist heat, the price is hefty....

 

go and consult the chroming people in the industrial area. they will advice you.

 

my 2 cents... :Q

[bernardk]

You can do hard chrome. Very ex. For harley.

Edited March 24, 2010 by bernardk

[Demon]

Hi guys, I heard that its not advisable to rechrome your exhaust and engine case due to the heat. The chrome will crack after sometime.

 

Any expert advice here?

 

Chrome can take very high heat.

 

If it cracks or pitted, it is because the surface was either not properly prepared for the electro-plating process.

 

There are basically two types of chroming available here.

 

Most will simply carry out a decorative chrome which is very thin and will not last every long.

 

A more durable is the industrial chrome or hard chrome which is thicker thus last much longer than the decorative chrome.

 

A good chrome will easily last more than 15 years without losing it's mirror shine such as the crankcase of the Suzuki Intruder.

 

[Gerald]

I was planning to take my exhaust down and send it to a factory overseas to do chroming. (Its an industrial). A friend of mine works there. I believe he can do solid chrome for me.

 

Brother bernard, Magna going for the ultimate chroming treatment! Maybe the rims are going too!

[bernardk]

I was planning to take my exhaust down and send it to a factory overseas to do chroming. (Its an industrial). A friend of mine works there. I believe he can do solid chrome for me.

 

Brother bernard, Magna going for the ultimate chroming treatment! Maybe the rims are going too!

 

Get them to do a full stainless steel header will be excellent

[Demon]

I was planning to take my exhaust down and send it to a factory overseas to do chroming. (Its an industrial). A friend of mine works there. I believe he can do solid chrome for me.

 

I am quite sure industrial chroming is available locally.

 

Once I sent my headers to this shop in ubi for re-chroming, i saw many parts from heavy industry machines were sent there for chroming too.

 

My headers were slightly pitted at the bend, and i personally prepared the surface for them but I was not able to smoothen the surface.

 

I can tell the chroming was quite thick because the pitted surface was almost smoothened. About 4 months later (or less than 100km, hardly rode this bike), tiny rust spots started to surface.

 

The rust spots appeared from within so I don't think they did a bad job. So if the header is not in an excellent condition, there is no point sending for re-chroming because the shine will only be temporary.

 

[Gerald]

I am quite sure industrial chroming is available locally.

 

Once I sent my headers to this shop in ubi for re-chroming, i saw many parts from heavy industry machines were sent there for chroming too.

 

My headers were slightly pitted at the bend, and i personally prepared the surface for them but I was not able to smoothen the surface.

 

I can tell the chroming was quite thick because the pitted surface was almost smoothened. About 4 months later (or less than 100km, hardly rode this bike), tiny rust spots started to surface.

 

The rust spots appeared from within so I don't think they did a bad job. So if the header is not in an excellent condition, there is no point sending for re-chroming because the shine will only be temporary.

 

Hi, I wanted to chrome my exhaust and both the rims. How do I "prepare" them for the chroming process?

 

They are smooth now, my rims are in good condition and the exhaust is rusty at some parts.

 

Your chrome started to rust after 4 months...any thing that you could have done before hand to prevent it?

 

Thanks

[Demon]

Hi, I wanted to chrome my exhaust and both the rims. How do I "prepare" them for the chroming process?

 

The surface must be smooth, that's the most important so that the electro-plating can "stick' to it uniformly. To some extend, the electro-plating can smoothen out the surface imperfection.

 

Some shops taking part in bike shows will bring parts of a brand new bike to re-chrome because the factory chrome was not up to standard., and you get the best result.

 

They are smooth now, my rims are in good condition and the exhaust is rusty at some parts.

 

For rims are yours ? Because not all metals can be chromed, one such is aluminum. For dirt bike rims, which are mostly aluminum alloy, we will send it anodizing. It's a totally different process as chroming, and it will not have a mirror shine finishing but you can choose from a variety of colours.

 

If your header is rusty, my advise is not to waste money since it will not last long.

 

 

Your chrome started to rust after 4 months...any thing that you could have done before hand to prevent it?

 

Buy a new set of headers

 

[Gerald]

oops...i think my rims are aluminium. I dont know but i think it is. My headers are definitely rusty. its almost impossible to buy a new one cos my bike is more than 20 years old.

 

Sigh...

 

But really appreciate your expert advice on chroming.

 

Thanks

[ruby tan]

hw about high polishing?

high polishing doesnt give much probs BUT therz a nd to maintain it pretty often.

i.e usual cleaning and waxing

[Lim Ah Wan]

For High Polishing, As Long You Own A Buffing Machine, It Shouldnt Be A Problem Right? I Think So Lahh After Observing What Some Bikeshops Do. HAHAHA

[Gerald]

err...what is high polishing? How can or how is high polishing done?

 

Where can I do that?

 

Thanks