Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hi,
I just watched a motorcycle show on t.v. where they nickel-plated some parts on an old motorcycle to give a vintage look. Has anyone done something like that on their teardrop fenders? Any thoughts on the idea?
Thanks.
Kris

I think Danny had his fenders chromed.

Hi Jim,
Danny did have his fenders chromed. I think that nickel is something different, though. I have some old cabinets with nickel plated hinges and they seem to have a different look than chrome. I imagine that it would be expensive in any case.
Thanks for the reply.
Kris

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but my understanding is, whenever something is "Chrome Plated" It is coated with Nickel first to give it a smoother finish. After the nickel goes on the chrome is put on top of it. The Nickel finish is more of a satin look whereas the chrome is brighter.

asianflava wrote:Someone correct me if I'm wrong but my understanding is, whenever something is "Chrome Plated" It is coated with Nickel first to give it a smoother finish. After the nickel goes on the chrome is put on top of it. The Nickel finish is more of a satin look whereas the chrome is brighter.

I think that you are right. Seems like they also used to use copper or bronze or something similar as a base. I used to have an old (1916) Harley, that I was going to restore. The chrome on it was different than modern chrome (more of a silver look). I was told that very few shop did that kind of chrome any more.

I'm with Jeff. It's copper, then nickel, then chrome. I believe this sequence is to get a strong bond between each layer - I don't think chrome sticks to steel.

Andrew

Hi Asian Flava, Andrew, Jeff and Odie,
Thanks for the information. The process sounds like it will probably be too expensive for me but I do love that "satiny" old look and would love to have something like that on my fenders. Maybe I'll just investigate some sort of faux finish that approaches the look I want. I could always seal it under several layers of clear finish.
Kris

I could be wrong on this, but I think steel can be directly chromed, but any zinc castings need to have the copper/nickle/chrome treatment...I've had bumpers done, but that was in 75 and can't remember...I do know that the zinc "pot metal" that I had done recently needed the full treatment.. Doug

Yep, I forgot about the copper step. The process I saw was as Andrew stated, Copper - Nickel - Chrome. I think I saw it on American Chopper.

angib wrote: I don't think chrome sticks to steel.

Andrew

I know that the step bumper on my pick-up has large sheets of chrome peeling off of it, and there's no sign of any copper there. Darn thing has only been on the truck for a couple of years, and the chrome started peeling off in large pieces this spring.

Hi Guys,
Thanks for the replies.. and Danny, I will definitely contact the Puyallup business that you mention.
My fenders don't currently have any mounting brackets on them and no screw holes so I will have to figure that out as well. My chassis should be welded before too much longer and then I will have a better idea of how to mount the fenders. The welder is taking a long time to get to my job but I told him that there was no hurry over the winter as long as the trailer is ready to go by mid-February and the welding is very solid and true. I can't really do any painting on it until then anyway since I need to do the painting outside.
Thanks again for the responses.
Kris

Cyndi copper to bond to steal thens soft coper then polish out then nickel it will look blue then chrome The junk that done now steal-ascee nick then copped Polish then nickel again then the chrome it the cyndi that what the big dif