by IaninDorset » Wed Aug 20, 2014 8:42 am
Whilst I do agree with Betta's sentiments to the point that for some, that is the right way but learning DIY electroplating especially with the new "safe" kits is a skill that gives you the satisfaction of a job well done, I have hand sprayed now most of my T5 using rattle cans and a friend of mine says my spraying is as good as any professional which is the biggest kudos pat on the back any home restorer can get. I fully intend to hand spray my Li save the frame itself which I want to powder coat the tube and have a good working base for the loop.
I don't actually use a chrome kit but a replica chrome kit which if done over a base of copper which is pre polished before rep chroming, produces an almost true brilliant chrome finish, it is fairly simple, the chemicals are fairly safe and the bath kits you can get means things like brake levers, pedals, tie bars, even nuts and bolts can be made to shine as can old badges, what else is good is now they do a plastics and fabrics kit which opens up the ability to say 3d print a plastic item, coat it in a special conductive primer and you can replicate plastic chrome items that are almost impossible to get anywhere, an example of that is a bloke I know remade the chromed plastic scrollwork Hunter badges for his Hillman Hunter.