Tosh's DIY Chrome Sports Rims

[toshiorone]

Chrome of rims - Tosh's DIY

 

Items needed:

• Lots of abrasive papers (roughness: 380, 1500, 2000)

• Paint brush. (small and medium)

• FAB detergent powder

• Small pail of water

• Polishing cloth

• Rag cloth

• Autosol Metal Polish

 

 

Step 1-

Use paint remover to remove the original paints on the areas of the rim that u want to chrome. Using a brush, carefully apply the paint remover. (becareful in this step)

 

Step 2-

Wipe off paint removed by the paint remover.

 

Step 3-

Using wet and dry abrasive paper 380, dip into a pail of water added with FAB detergent and sand off the remaining paints until the surface of rim is clean. (sand off hard to achieve a flat rim surface. Be patient on this step. It requires a long time to achieve the flatness)

 

Step 4-

Wipe off remaining dirts.

 

Step 5-

Using wet and dry abrasive paper 1500, dip into a pail of water added with FAB detergent, sand the rim surface until it is smooth and until fine scratches is seen. (in the previous step, the scratches would be rough)

 

Step 6-

Using wet and dry abrasive paper 2000, dip into a pail of water added with FAB detergent, sand the rim surface until it is smooth and fine. (by this stage, scratches would be hard to be seen)

 

Step 7- Final step

Polish the surface of rim hard with autosol metal polish. Continue polishing for hours, days, weeks, months or years to achieve a perfectly DIYed chrome rims. (after achieving the desired result, protect rims with metal polish protector)

[m0bIlEnErD]

....................

Edited February 28, 2011 by m0bIlEnErD

[toshiorone]

No problemmm.. This could be applied to OEM exhaust pipes too.

[kurarensu]

tats wat i did to my fuel tank cap.. hee.. care to show result of ur work.. wanna see hw well issit.. cos i anyhow do one

[kmax]

that's not chrome.. it's polishing the base metal.

 

anyway, nice effort.. show us more pics.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrome_plating

 

Process example

 

Information provided below is an example of an aluminum metal part being processed. These steps are specific to a number of metal parts, but actual steps will vary according to the design and condition of the workpiece.

 

* Chrome Stripping

o Rack part for stripping process

o Dip in electrically activated sodium hydroxide

o Dip in hot water

o Strip off nickel with activated sulfuric acid (taking care that the nickel is not eroded)

o Place in Media Blaster for coating preparation

* Grinding

o Grind off any and all pits/ protrusions/ unwanted metal material

o Corrosion pits in "pot metal" (zinc cast) items, such as those found older vehicles, can be drilled or ground out and filled with silver solder and smoothed off prior to re-plating.

o Smooth unwanted edges

o As necessary, grind points of contact for future soldering

* Cyanide Bath

o Rack part with copper wire (some need weights attached to underside to prevent floating giving special attention avoiding the wire to touch the part)

o Dip into Electro-cleaner wash

o Rinse off soup lather

o Dip in non-electrified sulfuric acid

o Spray rinse with water

o Place in cyanide

o Place in cyanide rinse tank

* Touching Up

o Solder pits and fill in undercuts (with attention to avoiding a detrimental cut through part)

o If applicable, attach broken metal pieces and filler metal with solder

o Grind off extra solder to smooth finish

* Acid Copper Bath

o Place in cyanide to cover solder

o Again dip in cyanide rinse

o Spray wash with water

o Cycle following steps for (1) hour intervals until acceptable appearance is seen:

+ Copper Bath

+ Sanding

+ Buffing

* Chome Plating

o Re-rack part with wire giving attention to sensitive areas (points and sharp curves are corroded without care)

o Clean with kerosene and soft-bristled brush

o Hand wash with soap and water

o Spray rinse with water

o Dip in sulfuric acid

o Dip in sterile DI (deionized) water

o Nickel plated

o Dip in DI water

o Dip in chrome tank with settings specific to the part

o Spray rinse with water

o Buff to smooth finish

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e1/Motorcycle_Reflections_bw_edit.jpg/250px-Motorcycle_Reflections_bw_edit.jpg

[Iori Yamagi]

yup take some pictures for viewing bro..

[toshiorone]

Aiyah.. Bike sold liao. No pictures. Haha. But its something like what kmax posted. But its on rims. Imagine~

 

Kmax, that's an impossible method to get it done under the void deck or at the multi storey carpark. Mine is the shortcut yet proper method. And the results, MarvelouS. Hehehe.

[engeto]

really useful tip bro.will try it soon.now currently only sandpaper my Y1 block for 2 days.

 

Items needed:

• Lots of abrasive papers (roughness: 380, 1500, 2000)

• Paint brush. (small and medium)

• FAB detergent powder

• Small pail of water

• Polishing cloth

• Rag cloth

• Autosol Metal Polish

 

 

Step 1-

Use paint remover to remove the original paints on the areas of the rim that u want to chrome. Using a brush, carefully apply the paint remover. (becareful in this step)

 

Step 2-

Wipe off paint removed by the paint remover.

 

Step 3-

Using wet and dry abrasive paper 380, dip into a pail of water added with FAB detergent and sand off the remaining paints until the surface of rim is clean. (sand off hard to achieve a flat rim surface. Be patient on this step. It requires a long time to achieve the flatness)

 

Step 4-

Wipe off remaining dirts.

 

Step 5-

Using wet and dry abrasive paper 1500, dip into a pail of water added with FAB detergent, sand the rim surface until it is smooth and until fine scratches is seen. (in the previous step, the scratches would be rough)

 

Step 6-

Using wet and dry abrasive paper 2000, dip into a pail of water added with FAB detergent, sand the rim surface until it is smooth and fine. (by this stage, scratches would be hard to be seen)

 

Step 7- Final step

Polish the surface of rim hard with autosol metal polish. Continue polishing for hours, days, weeks, months or years to achieve a perfectly DIYed chrome rims. (after achieving the desired result, protect rims with metal polish protector)

[engeto]

really useful tip bro.will try it soon.now currently only sandpaper my Y1 block for 2 days.

 

Items needed:

• Lots of abrasive papers (roughness: 380, 1500, 2000)

• Paint brush. (small and medium)

• FAB detergent powder

• Small pail of water

• Polishing cloth

• Rag cloth

• Autosol Metal Polish

 

 

Step 1-

Use paint remover to remove the original paints on the areas of the rim that u want to chrome. Using a brush, carefully apply the paint remover. (becareful in this step)

 

Step 2-

Wipe off paint removed by the paint remover.

 

Step 3-

Using wet and dry abrasive paper 380, dip into a pail of water added with FAB detergent and sand off the remaining paints until the surface of rim is clean. (sand off hard to achieve a flat rim surface. Be patient on this step. It requires a long time to achieve the flatness)

 

Step 4-

Wipe off remaining dirts.

 

Step 5-

Using wet and dry abrasive paper 1500, dip into a pail of water added with FAB detergent, sand the rim surface until it is smooth and until fine scratches is seen. (in the previous step, the scratches would be rough)

 

Step 6-

Using wet and dry abrasive paper 2000, dip into a pail of water added with FAB detergent, sand the rim surface until it is smooth and fine. (by this stage, scratches would be hard to be seen)

 

Step 7- Final step

Polish the surface of rim hard with autosol metal polish. Continue polishing for hours, days, weeks, months or years to achieve a perfectly DIYed chrome rims. (after achieving the desired result, protect rims with metal polish protector)

[motopsycho]

what about rust? Will it rust when exposed to weather?

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

Bare metal like this, yes it will, you've got to keep it polished, dry and protected. Rust formation depends on the material. Aluminum will oxidise and turn dull as a natural process.

 

Chromed items are more resistant to damage, until the chrome layer is penetrated/abraded off. (As in real electroplated chromium). Again, the mirror-finish will last only if well maintained. Do not use sandpaper on chrome, unless to remove rust from damaged areas.

[Hydher]

thanks for sharing. how much is the paint remover? and can i get it from nippon authorised dealers? idea with the fab detergent. diluted in water?

[nash823]

i used tiger brand paint remover..like $5?lol..i used some sort the same method posted by tosh..but i lazy so cut alot of steps..haha..i jus used paint remove remove the paint wipe it off till damn clean..autosol till can see my face..thats all..den maintain it every month or so:D

[alpha4]

nice DIY thanks

[glzco]

sounds like a great idea.. but lotsa maintenance but no doubt it'll be a looker.. will try it nxt week.. paint remover here i come!!! ha..

[TAJ]

tosh?is that sharill?taj here...

[toshiorone]

Yes man. Hahaha. Tosh from ur COY Taj.

 

Anyway guys, the polished surface for my previous rim doesnt have any rust. And I didnt apply any anti-rust agent. If u want to keep on improving the shine, every bike wash just polish it a little with autosol. If u lazy, just wash ur bike and it'll shine! =)

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

I saw a Tosh-like phantom wheel at planet today and wow, it was obviously run like zillions of kms like that and still shiny, no rust at all on the polished aluminum.

Tempting :3

[Tequila]

can i use the paint remover on my kawasaki kr engine casing? i mean do it like how u guys do the rims? anyone tried that before?

[ayoasti]

Yes man. Hahaha. Tosh from ur COY Taj.

 

Anyway guys, the polished surface for my previous rim doesnt have any rust. And I didnt apply any anti-rust agent. If u want to keep on improving the shine, every bike wash just polish it a little with autosol. If u lazy, just wash ur bike and it'll shine! =)

 

hi bro did mine years ago and there are build ups of staining on my front rims, been polishing with autosol but still the same.

what can i do? any recommendations?

[motopsycho]

Do you think it will be possible to clear coat it at a body shop?

Or mabe even from a spray can?

what i am afraid of is without primer clear coat won't stick.

[toshiorone]

Lightly sand it off again with a 3000 and polish! hehe