Rechroming 20" Mags

[heliox]

Hi, Was hoping someone out there could point me in the right direction to rechrome the mags on my D-Max as they are flaking and could do with a brighten up.

Have heard they need to be dipped in copper or some other alloy first so the new chrome lasts longer than a few months, so a pro job would be best.I am located in Pattaya.

Thanks in advance

[BSJ]

Risky business here in Thailand.....or anywhere in fact. Very few people can do good alloy restoration work.

[sotsira]

OP,

First you need to identify the material of your wheels, are they Magnesium Alloy?

Or Aluminium Alloy? Or Steel with chrome plating?

Then you need to check if they have been painted with a clear coat of lacquer or are they

plain polished?

The reason i stated this is because chrome plating Magnesium alloy wheels is not a common

practice.

Most chrome wheels are made of steel, and most alloy wheels are made of aluminium then clear coated.

[rhythmworx]

Get them fine shot blasted, copper anodized (thick layer) and then the chrome will sit nicely on top.

I doubt the Thais will have decent rectifiers to control the voltages during the anodizing process, but I could be mistaken.

[BSJ]

Shot blasting alloy wheels seems extreme....but may work. After the copper coating they will still need nickel before chroming. There maybe somewhere in LOS you can get it done. But getting it done well is the problem! I've seen some rechromed alloy wheels that looked horrible!

I've seen motorcycle cans (steel) rechromed in Pattaya that are over chromed and don't match the rest of the chrome on the bike.

It will be interesting to see if anyone can be recommended.

[IMHO]

Get them fine shot blasted, copper anodized (thick layer) and then the chrome will sit nicely on top.

I doubt the Thais will have decent rectifiers to control the voltages during the anodizing process, but I could be mistaken.

Yeah right, Thai's don't know how to chrome plate anything. LOL!

[MMarlow]

Try googling "chrome plating Thailand" or "chrome plating Pattaya". You'll be spoiled for choice.

[BSJ]

There is a shop up Naklua way run by a foreigner that may be able to help....but I can't remember the address. I could probably find it if I went up there, but someone may remember the thread name or location in the TVF bike section that mentions the address.

[kevvy]

Shot blasting alloy wheels seems extreme....but may work. After the copper coating they will still need nickel before chroming. There maybe somewhere in LOS you can get it done. But getting it done well is the problem! I've seen some rechromed alloy wheels that looked horrible!

I've seen motorcycle cans (steel) rechromed in Pattaya that are over chromed and don't match the rest of the chrome on the bike.

It will be interesting to see if anyone can be recommende

Have a look at this , I dont know how long it lasts .Here in Thailand

kevvy

[fullcave]

Cheaper to just buy a new set..

[Garry]

Shot blasting alloy wheels seems extreme....but may work. After the copper coating they will still need nickel before chroming. There maybe somewhere in LOS you can get it done. But getting it done well is the problem! I've seen some rechromed alloy wheels that looked horrible!

I've seen motorcycle cans (steel) rechromed in Pattaya that are over chromed and don't match the rest of the chrome on the bike.

It will be interesting to see if anyone can be recommende

Have a look at this , I dont know how long it lasts .Here in Thailand

kevvy

Kevvy, was this video shot locally?

I've been reading and seeing this process online for a few years now. The optional final process is to clear coat over the spray chrome. What I like about this process, is there no extreme temperature or electrolysis involved, can be easily removed and can be applied to just able any firm, prepped surface: plastic, fireglass, carbon fiber, steel, alloy etc.

[BSJ]

Shot blasting alloy wheels seems extreme....but may work. After the copper coating they will still need nickel before chroming. There maybe somewhere in LOS you can get it done. But getting it done well is the problem! I've seen some rechromed alloy wheels that looked horrible!

I've seen motorcycle cans (steel) rechromed in Pattaya that are over chromed and don't match the rest of the chrome on the bike.

It will be interesting to see if anyone can be recommende

Have a look at this , I dont know how long it lasts .Here in Thailand

kevvy

Hi Kevvy, that spray chrome finish must be an OK process if done right. That's how then Chinese wheel companies do it. But then....I've seen some sh1tty wheels done (spray chromed) in China!

But lets not confuse spray chrome with chrome plating when it comes down to it. Quality costs more!

[transam]

I recall that chromed "steel" wheels from the USA had a 90 day guaranty..............