Restoring my childhood bmx. I need advice.
Discussion
I'm restoring my bmx from when I was a kid. I used to race this bike, and spent a great deal of my childhood riding this thing. Sadly, I haven't been kind to it by leaving it out in the weather all these years.
Now, I'm not sure which way to go, re chrome or powder. The plater said he can clean it up and plate it, but I have read where re-chroming has failed..too many imperfections. Also, if he prepares the frame for plating, I'm worried he's not going to take care around the welds, I don't want them to be smoothed out. I always loved the quality of the welds on this bike, even as a kid.
I realize this frame doesn't look much now, but am I wrong in thinking there is less risk in having it powder coated? If a chrome job went wrong, it would then need to be de-chromed for the second time. What will this do to the frame?
In my mind, powder coating is going to fill in and cover any imperfections, including pitting, if there is any.
Looking at these photos, do you think it's a good candidate for re-chroming?
After being pulled down and a spruce up with silvo.
Now, I'm not sure which way to go, re chrome or powder. The plater said he can clean it up and plate it, but I have read where re-chroming has failed..too many imperfections. Also, if he prepares the frame for plating, I'm worried he's not going to take care around the welds, I don't want them to be smoothed out. I always loved the quality of the welds on this bike, even as a kid.
I realize this frame doesn't look much now, but am I wrong in thinking there is less risk in having it powder coated? If a chrome job went wrong, it would then need to be de-chromed for the second time. What will this do to the frame?
In my mind, powder coating is going to fill in and cover any imperfections, including pitting, if there is any.
Looking at these photos, do you think it's a good candidate for re-chroming?
After being pulled down and a spruce up with silvo.
Given that you've left it out for so long, I would have thought you should have it dipped in something that will help to stabilise the inside of the tubing too as that's likely to be as rusty as the outside was.
I would chrome it but have a word with the guy and explain your concerns. Powdercoating will look beautiful the minute you've had it done but then it'll be damaged around the drop-outs the second you tighten the wheelnuts up, and around the brake caliper mountings. Chrome is *so* much more durable. If you use appropriate washers (aluminium) then you might not even damage the chrome at all.
I would chrome it but have a word with the guy and explain your concerns. Powdercoating will look beautiful the minute you've had it done but then it'll be damaged around the drop-outs the second you tighten the wheelnuts up, and around the brake caliper mountings. Chrome is *so* much more durable. If you use appropriate washers (aluminium) then you might not even damage the chrome at all.
I'd be looking at having that completely stripped and powder coated white, the red parts will work well with it.
Apparently factory chrome finishes were far better in the old days, have a look for my Mongoose Californian thread or the wheels on my Raleigh Burner one, that's the original chrome cleaned up and though some of it (on the Burner) is pitted I wouldn't want to chance a re-chrome.
Alternatively you could sell it me for a song.
Apparently factory chrome finishes were far better in the old days, have a look for my Mongoose Californian thread or the wheels on my Raleigh Burner one, that's the original chrome cleaned up and though some of it (on the Burner) is pitted I wouldn't want to chance a re-chrome.
Alternatively you could sell it me for a song.
Mars said:
Given that you've left it out for so long, I would have thought you should have it dipped in something that will help to stabilise the inside of the tubing too as that's likely to be as rusty as the outside was.
Can't disagree with this, good advice.We obviously typed at the same time - just shows you the difference of opinion but Mars speaks sense if you choose the chrome route.
Edited by mattviatura on Wednesday 19th October 08:52
mattviatura said:
I'd be looking at having that completely stripped and powder coated white, the red parts will work well with it.
Apparently factory chrome finishes were far better in the old days, have a look for my Mongoose Californian thread or the wheels on my Raleigh Burner one, that's the original chrome cleaned up and though some of it (on the Burner) is pitted I wouldn't want to chance a re-chrome.
Alternatively you could sell it me for a song.
Apparently factory chrome finishes were far better in the old days, have a look for my Mongoose Californian thread or the wheels on my Raleigh Burner one, that's the original chrome cleaned up and though some of it (on the Burner) is pitted I wouldn't want to chance a re-chrome.
Alternatively you could sell it me for a song.
I wouldn't sell it for the rights to all of the Beatles songs.
That's the thing, because it has such sentimental value to me, I want to make the best decision that will do the bike justice. I have been thinking I'd get it powdered, as these did come out in white. I'm pretty sure it's an '82 model. But talking to the plater today, he told me he could prep and plate it 'for a song'.
Right now the bike is at the electro-platers to be de-chromed. I told him I'd like to talk again before he proceeds with chroming. If it's badly pitted, I think powder coating is the way to go.
What needs to happen to treat the rust on the inside?
mattviatura said:
GilbertGrape said:
What needs to happen to treat the rust on the inside?
Not too sure of the exact process to be honest, the plater should be able to help with this.I'm staying out of here, these BMX threads always send me straight to eBay.
I'm also contemplating buying a 24" trials bike.
Have a gander at the restoration section on here... http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php?board=10.0
Al Wyn said:
Have a gander at the restoration section on here... http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php?board=10.0
Thanks Al Wyn. I've been on that site for about a week now splodge s4 said:
mmm...black or silver? Mk1 or 2?
It is addictive once you start, theres always just that one other bike you wanted as a kid that suddenly now crosses your path...cant resist!
It's mostly your bloody fault.It is addictive once you start, theres always just that one other bike you wanted as a kid that suddenly now crosses your path...cant resist!
Mk 1 by the way, and the only way to go is of course black and gold.
I pick it up later subject to it being as described, luckily this one is local. Just need brakes which I think are DC1020 and levers which I can't remember at all.
GilbertGrape said:
Question is, can I now powder coat over chrome?
Yes. I stripped an old Raleigh frame back years ago, and was quietly pleased to find the forks were chrome underneath the original paint.btw, get the crank back in asap, the merest whiff of rust down there and the fine pitch will cross thread when you get to reassemble, as I found out to my cost.
mattviatura said:
GilbertGrape said:
Question is, can I now powder coat over chrome?
I'm not sure how true this is but apparently Raleigh painted straight onto chrome frames in team colours on some Aero Pro Burners.Thanks guys.
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