Chrome

[Jasonash]

Hi all anyone got a good chroming company to use I did guards tank etc doing on a gold star

[Greybeard]

I used ACF HOWELL at Walsall West Midlands. They specialise in old vehicle parts. I am very happy with their work especially my petrol tank that required heavy coppering to fill rust pitting which they polished back before chroming.

[Jasonash]

What’s there pricing like and turnaround

[Greybeard]

I had the tank done and rear plunger shrouds, clutch, gear and kick levers. My work was five years ago so cannot remember exact cost but it was a fairly major expense; I'm thinking £400.
I didn't need a fast turnaround so I think it was probably a month before I collected the bits.

[Topdad]

Expensive business  ,so after reading this I had a look around here and was surprised by just how many companies were around ,some only 1/2 a mile away from where i'm based ,quite surprised.

[Rex]

Yep, but try and get some recommendations first.
Just because they chrome stuff doesn't mean they're sympathetic to old bike bits!
I can recommend two good ones in the central south coast area.

[Greybeard]

A negative note. When I got my tank back from the platers the inside had a thin layer of rust that wasn't there before. I imagine they didn't rinse and dry the inside very well. Eventually I decided to use POR15 to line the tank. No problems with that (yet). I suggest you make a point of asking them to protect the interior of the tank.

[coater87]

A negative note. When I got my tank back from the platers the inside had a thin layer of rust that wasn't there before. I imagine they didn't rinse and dry the inside very well. Eventually I decided to use POR15 to line the tank. No problems with that (yet). I suggest you make a point of asking them to protect the interior of the tank.

 The shop I went to asked if i could make plugs to fill the tank holes for them, they want the tanks to sink in the chemical bath. I dont know what they use to fill them up with, but they cannot be hollow or they float on top of course.

 When I was done they kept the plugs I made for future use. Being America, we dont see too much BSSP thread.

 I had a little flash rust on the underside near the central mount hole. I used some baking soda and water, then a rust converter on it. I wish they would have rinsed better too, but even rinse water is expensive in plating. Here, every ounce of it has to be captured and carted off as waste. I figure it must get used over and over (the rinse water) until someone notices its not doing that great a job anymore.

 Lee

[Billybream]

Just a bit of info regarding threads Lee.
Accepted practice within Industrial applications to use NPT threaded items into BSPP, only one thread different on smaller sizes.
Your should achieve a good seal and fit with the addition of some PTFE tape or suitable thread sealer.

[Butch (cb)]

You want to use some one who is recommended. Cheap chrome is exactly that. Postal charges should be insignificant compared to the cost of the service. I use

https://www.qualitychrome.co.uk/

Frustratingly slow and horrible money. But it's good stuff.

[a101960]

Cheap chrome is exactly that.

It most certainly is. Thoroughly research before sending  your parts off for plating. Good quality chrome plating normally takes a while, but the end result is well worth it. Do not be tempted to cut corners or you will be bitterly disappointed with the end product and it will have to done all over again by somebody who does a proper job.