2007-01-28 12:00:30 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
Can't do it in your bathtub, but it certainly CAN be done. Chroming, if the piece is small enough, or as the other person mentioned, anodizing. I like the look of polished and clear anodized myself, or there is colored anodizing or powdercoating to consider too. Lots of options. What do you have in mind and whereabouts are you?
2007-01-28 14:35:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love the look of chrome wheels, but a little elbow grease and the right polish can make aluminum wheels look just as good as chrome wheels, AND it's cheaper.
2007-01-29 11:49:23 · answer #2 · answered by csburridge 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My question is "why the heck do you want to put chrome over aluminum?? Adding extra weight takes away from the performance of the bike..of course, unless you're only about looks.
2007-01-28 21:55:20 · answer #3 · answered by vamedic4 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Activating of aluminium:
The aluminium article should be cleaned in a non caustic cleaner,then given a light pickle in 10-25% sulfuric acid, then dipped for 30-60 seconds in a zincate bath(see formulation below). For best results the article should then be cyanide-copper plated(3-4 mins) then placed in the hard chrome bath with the current swiched on.
NB: Rinse well inbetween all of the above stages.
Zincate Bath Formulation:(to make 1 litre)
Caustic soda.............525g
Zinc oxide...............100g
Ferric chloride crystals.1g
Rochelle salt(potassium sodium tartrate).........10g
Dissolve in the caustic soda first very carefully as this gives off alot of heat.Then dissolve in the Zinc oxide. Finally add the ferric chloride and rochelle salt.
2007-01-28 12:10:34 · answer #4 · answered by arc1973 1 · 4⤊ 0⤋
if it's aluminum just polish it. it looks better and last longer than chrome. plus is easier to maintain a good looking finish.
2007-01-28 15:08:49 · answer #5 · answered by s_mollenk 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can, but you can get it polished so bright it looks just like chrome, and it wont peel. Buy some Simichrome polish and a ball polisher for your drill, or look up metal polishing in the phone book.
2007-01-30 08:52:53 · answer #6 · answered by Icefire 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Send them to a chrome shop.
2007-01-28 19:49:59 · answer #7 · answered by strech 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One thing to consider before you do this. What type of climate are you going to drive this vehicle in. If it is anywhere that salt is used on roads in the winter forget it. Those things will get eaten up and your chrome will look terrible. The unseen bead area sometimes starts first and then you get leaks as well. If you are in a relatively fair climate then go for it. It does look nice it that is what you are aiming to do.
2007-01-28 12:16:56 · answer #8 · answered by Moto-Man 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
If I am not mistaken i heard my usband saying that he was going to ship our wheels off to a place in California, they actually just dip them. I think he found it in the Mustangs and Fast Ford Magazines. Good Luck
2007-01-28 12:09:55 · answer #9 · answered by zjgrl1215 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
al. has to be anodized, i'm quite sure. electro plating is a different process. call a motorcycle shop, they will know.
2007-01-28 12:12:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋