nickel-plated fenders

[KA]

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

[bledsoe3]

I think Danny had his fenders chromed.

[KA]

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

[asianflava]

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.

[JunkMan]

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.

[angib]

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

[KA]

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

[halfdome, Danny]

Kris, call Maranatha Plating Inc. 5402 184th St E Puyallup, WA 98375 (253) 875-3977 http://www.maraplate.com and see if they can help you. They do all sorts of plating even gold plating. They are a fine company to do business with , they did the chrome on my fenders and I have another pair there for chroming too.
Danny

[doug hodder]

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

[asianflava]

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.

[JunkMan]

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.

[KA]

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

[glassice]

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