The Question: To Chrome or not to chrome
 

Are there really any chrome facilities that do a good job on wheelie bars and what are some coating techniques that are more durable that are proven ??? Is powder coating the answer or what ???? I have a current chrome job that looks terrible. Any opinions out there ????

Hey Rusty, we can coat them here at Nitroplate. I have done some wheelie bars and rear end housings and they look realy good. The cost is alot less than chrome too. Call me if you have any questions. 615-826-4914

Chrome
 

I don't know if it is true, but I was told by a well known builder to stay away from chrome. His comment was that over time the tubing looses strength because of the chemical action/breakdown on the inside of the tube. He has most of his parts powdercoated or painted, not chromed. I have often wondered if the heating process could help relieve stresses in welded parts when coating them.

Stay away from the chrome! ... It should only be used for non structural components. The Nitro plate finish looks ok, and most powder coat opperations have a powder that resembles chrome. .... I had it on mine and it lasted for years. ..... I've cut up a lot of chrome parts on customers cars ,and as Adger mentioned they are usually rusty and corroded inside. .... Tom

Chroming parts causes hydrogen embrittlement,that's why structural parts shouldn't be chrome plated.Eventually the chemical reaction will cause the part to fail.

these are reasons NHRA disallowed chrome plating rollbars a number of years back!!

Hydrogen embrittlement can be prevented by doing a oven bake. Most chrom shops either don't know about this or think it's BS

Jim davis

Please tell me about the oven bake.

Crisco please shoot me an email......mgfulk@yahoo.com............a freind of mine has a question for ya.

If you go to Gogle search and search Hydrogen Embrittlement Relief you will find many articles about this subject. The minimum looks like 375 degrees F for 23 Hours some think 96 Hours.

Jim Davis