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Re-chroming question

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Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,785 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#844669
I got a brazillian front euro bumper re-chromed.

Got it back the other day and it is all peeling on the inside.
Out side looks good, but the inside is rubbish
The inside looks like a thin layer of hot dipped gal that is just peeling and bubbling

is this normal??

I have had to grind this heavy skin off that is bubbling and loose in places otherwise it is jusy going to rust

The indicators are a pain to clean around.
Using a wire wheel but I can not get in there.

I am giving it an etch primer and hammertone. Did this to my other ones and they have been fine outside for like 5 years.
Futue te ipsum!!!

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#844676
as the outside is the important part to be rechromed they don't do the back of the bumper....

otherwise it would cost You more......

what did it cost to have Your bumper rechromed?

spray behind Your bumper with light grey primer or silver...

cheers

LEE
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#844686
yep thats normal give it a rub back and paint it liker u did before
I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409

Yogie Moderator Custom Title Time!

1,608 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·

#844690
When I got mine done, they said the chrome doesn't adhere to the curves on the back as well as it does to the front (outside). I painted a silver POR15 coating to the inside with a paint brush and it has lasted well for more than 8 years now.

Yogie

Lucky Phil Wolfsburg Wizard

480 posts · joined Aug 2010 ·

#844767
I just painted the inside of my bumper with killrust primer and then killrust 'aluminium silver' colour.
Looks ok but maybe a little tacky.
I will probably try black next time.

vlad01 Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,270 posts · joined Jun 2010 ·

#844824
Yes! that is the right thing to do ^

chrome is current density sensitive so it does not plate recessed, nooks, enclosed areas etc....

so yep, thats normal for a bumper chroming and why VW painted the inside at the factory.

71 notchback,
Past owner of, 70 NB, 73 SB and 72 FB TLE

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 ·

#845192
Yogie wrote:When I got mine done, they said the chrome doesn't adhere to the curves on the back as well as it does to the front (outside). I painted a silver POR15 coating to the inside with a paint brush and it has lasted well for more than 8 years now.

Yogie
They told you crap then cos don't matter the curves it has it depends on how it's prepped so the copper and nickel bond well with the steel/base metal.

If they use the latest methods then a clean plain steel surface can be nickel plated and then chromed without the need for copper but the older method requires the use of copper for the nickel to adhere too 😉
madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#845193
yes preparation is a must when chrome plating an item

Also for inner surfaces you woul have to make an anode to allow the chrome better throwing power to the surface when in the chrome solution

I usually polish all the sharpe edges before getting a re chrome done then paint the inner surfaces with Wheel silver paint makes for a nice job
I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409

Aussie Dubbin Fahrvergnugen

895 posts · joined Jul 2008 ·

#845217
VW54 is on the right track. Imagine you are trying to chrome a bumber that has lots of bends and nooks and crannies, The annode needs to mirror as best as possible the shapes of the material being chromed. If the annode cannot get close then the 'throw' of chrome is not as hard or consistent... hence crappy chrome. Also they need to prep the bars so do you really want to start paying the chromer to strip, copper coat and polish and then try to make an annode fit closely to the back of the bumper along its lenght?
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grumble Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,672 posts · joined Jun 2008 ·

#845283
Buggered if I know any better but I had my Ghia bars rechromed at Hamilton Chrome and the inside looked pretty good,when I refitted the bars I painted inside with Tectyl as a precaution tp prevent any future problems.