Chrome question.

mastiff1

Member
Hello!

I own a 2008 Ridgeback with 5000 miles on it, so i purchased a new set of chrome wheels on ebay and i got them installed, it looks pretty cool.

After 20 miles on them i noticed the back wheel started to peel off really badly.

Maybe somebody can tell whats the possible reason why it happened. Also how to prevent this from affecting the whole rim.

Thanks!
 

07bigdog

07BIGDOG
There was a recall on some Bigdog's for chrome peeling off the wheels. I thought it was more on the older ones around 2005.
 

SKOGDOG

One of the old ones.
Seems like you oughta get ahold of Derek(Shovelheadkicker) and ask what he'll do. He seems generally well thought of on this Forum, and many have done business with him.
 

Trainguy

Chromeoholic
Likely just a bad chrome job
Chroming aluminum is a tricky process and if not done just right will do what you are seeing.
I have a 08 K-9 w/4000 on it. It is the most well taken care of, pampered, polished, heated garage kept bike on the plant and my chrome is flaking off my rear wheel and pulley all so.:bang: Curtis is right there was a bad batch of wheels back then.
 

FrankBDPS

Well-Known Member
When the chrome starts to go bad on wheels and fork tubes can they be re chromed?What is the process to do that?Should the old chrome be removed somehow?
 
Yes
But don't expect it to be cheap if you want it done right
They have to strip the chrome, nickel and copper through electrolysis.
This inherently deteriorates the aluminum surface slightly so it has to sanded and polished again to look like chrome. A special base application is done so the copper will stick. Then they copper plate it to fill in all the tiny voids and buff to a chrome finish again. Sometimes they have to copper plate again to get the finish needed. Then they nickel plate, buff and finally chrome plate.
The important thing is to communicate to the Chromer what your expectations are and then be prepared for the cost. The higher your expectations the higher the cost.

You must expect that any fine details will suffer some loss due to the refinishing process.
 

mastiff1

Member
Yes
But don't expect it to be cheap if you want it done right
They have to strip the chrome, nickel and copper through electrolysis.
This inherently deteriorates the aluminum surface slightly so it has to sanded and polished again to look like chrome. A special base application is done so the copper will stick. Then they copper plate it to fill in all the tiny voids and buff to a chrome finish again. Sometimes they have to copper plate again to get the finish needed. Then they nickel plate, buff and finally chrome plate.
The important thing is to communicate to the Chromer what your expectations are and then be prepared for the cost. The higher your expectations the higher the cost.

You must expect that any fine details will suffer some loss due to the refinishing process.
Do you know anything to stop the peeling to spread?
 

Viking

Biker
So where does one go for chroming nowadays? The few I have used before no longer exist, or ship out their work.
 

FrankBDPS

Well-Known Member
Thanks Curtis.Seems like it may be more cost effective to just purchase new parts but you may still end up with the same issues.
 

Diesel Dan

Well-Known Member
Contact Vernes Chrome Plating in Los Angeles,they are BAD-ASS.........Show quality chrome plating,usually triple plated..........show quality shit Bro:cheers:......they re-chromed the rear bumper on my 66 GTO for me........it was awesome:lol:..........and they been in business since the 1960's.......HI- QUALITY USA Chrome baby....top notch Bro.........:up::up::up:...............OR contact ABC PLATING in Reno Nevada.........they kick ass also,been in business since 1958, HI-Quality stuff as well.........they chromed the Inner fender skirts on my 67 RS/SS Camaro and they are flawless.......
 
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