Options for repairing a chrome plated frame?

spatuluk

Hiya!

I've got myself a Raleigh branded 1977 Carlton Cobra, resplendent in chrome, red, and black. And rust.

There isn't a lot of rust, exactly - just lots of little blisters of rust. I think the area around the serial number shows the problem best, as that's where it's worst: http://www.flickr.com/photos/spatuluk/7772987204/in/photostream

Is there anything I can do about the rust, other than getting the frame stripped and re-sprayed/powder coated? oh, and can chrome be sandblasted, or will I have to get it dipped?

BigJimmyB

You're probably best of speaking to a plater in your area and getting some direct advice.

The existing chrome could be mineral blasted off, then the frame re-plated. Any painted details will have to be re-done, probably by hand (at least in the trickier places) as opposed to powder coated.

Good luck, post the results when done.

Something like this is it?

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=105339

rolf_f

You'll find that if you go over the chrome with metal polish/brillo pad etc that the rust spots will diminish to almost invisible pin holes. But paint doesn't stick to the plating so well so retaining that might be tougher. And if you have to get the coloured parts of the bike repainted, you are probably best off having the plating redone as the pinholes are bound to be vulnerable to damp (unless you intend to be kind to the old thing and ride it nice days only!).

Might be worth ring Bob Jacksons in Leeds up. They could certainly renovate the frame chrome and all - at a price.

spatuluk

oh yeah - exactly like that! I wish mine was that shiny...

The decals are already pretty much gone through wear, and I believe they're chromatic decals, which are irreplaceable, so they'd have to be put back on by hand. If I trace the logos before attacking the rust, I should be able to make some sort of stencil for that.

Getting it re-plated depends on cost.. I've heard that getting things plated can be pretty pricey, and I'm on a rather restricted budget. As it's a fairly low-end Carlton frame, I'm not averse to going for repair rather than restore. The important thing is that it doesn't disappear in a cloud of brown!

I'll give it a go with brasso for now, and see how well it cleans up. Thanks for the advice!

rolf_f

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by the result.

What might work is to strip the paint, polish the chrome (which will probably look like new from a couple of feet away). Blow over the coloured highlights again thinly with suitable car paint and then get the whole thing laquered professionally. That way there is a chance it will stay looking smart for a while. At least that approach won't cost much.

spatuluk

I'll definitely give it a try! I foolishly didn't even bother searching for cleaning up chrome, as I assumed that it was too far gone (some very dodgy previous experiences with rusty Minis!), but it seems I may have underestimated the power of chrome.

rolf_f

You've nothing to lose - it'll only take moments to find out if it will work well enough. Here are the forks from a Carlton I renovated - left as found and right polished. Not such a great shot but the one of the head tube shows the extent to which rust spots can shrink if you get the staining off the area surrounding the pinhole.

giant_man

great project imo, good luck with it ...

spatuluk

I'm going to try using this process: http://www.lfgss.com/post301544-16.html. The coke & foil method sounds a bit like an old wives tale, but it's worth a try!

I couldn't find Autosol at short notice, so I've coated the frame in T-Cut metal polish instead. Hopefully it'll do just as good a job.