The Question: To Chrome or not to chrome

Rusty Davenport · 06-26-2007, 09:48 AM

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 ????

Crisco · 06-26-2007, 10:25 AM

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

Adger Smith · 06-26-2007, 10:37 AM

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.

Tom Goldman · 06-26-2007, 06:12 PM

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

Chris 2421 · 06-26-2007, 10:57 PM

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.

Todd Gale · 06-26-2007, 11:42 PM

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

Jim Davis · 06-27-2007, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris 2421

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.

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

06-26-2007, 09:48 AM	#1
Rusty Davenport Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Nashville N.C. Posts: 505 Likes: 4 Liked 100 Times in 26 Posts	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 ????

06-26-2007, 10:37 AM	#3
Adger Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Texarkana Ark/TX Posts: 2,446 Likes: 575 Liked 880 Times in 311 Posts	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. __________________ Adger Smith (Former SS)

06-26-2007, 10:25 AM	#2
Crisco Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Hendersonville, TN 37075 Posts: 221 Likes: 3 Liked 39 Times in 16 Posts	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

06-26-2007, 06:12 PM	#4
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,473 Likes: 878 Liked 848 Times in 234 Posts	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

06-26-2007, 10:57 PM	#5
Chris 2421 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Florida,United States Posts: 21 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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.

06-26-2007, 11:42 PM	#6
Todd Gale Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: West Richland Washington Posts: 13 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	these are reasons NHRA disallowed chrome plating rollbars a number of years back!!