Plating

I've got numerous parts on my bike that I can't fix with some polish and elbow greese (pitted fenders, battery acid stain on the original Kz900-B exhaust, pitted ears). I was curious what the going rates are for re-plating out there so I have something to compare when I take them into the shop. Plummen, I know you've mentioned doing nickel in the past as well...is there a reason to go (or not go) nickel over chrome? Cost difference?

First of all. What gives the color to Chrome is the Nickel. When an item is plated properly, (what used to be called triple plating)there are three layers of metal. First there is a layer of Copper. This gives the coat a smoothness. The copper can be put on thick and will fill in the imperfections. Than you plate on a layer of Nickel. This gives the plate the color and the richness. Than you put on a layer of Chrome. This gives the plate the hardness and the durability. Chrome by itself is very translucent and requires a base, which is the Nickel. Many show vehicles skip the Chrome because the Nickel is soft and can be polished out if marred. The chrome is very hard and if it is scratched the scratch can not be removed. Chrome plating is getting more and more expensive due to the EPA regulations. It will not get cheaper. It is expensive no mater where you go.

Thanks for the details Otakar! I guess I'll just have to take the parts in and get quotes. I didn't really want to paint the parts, but it might come down to it since I can spray, but I can't plate.

Check out atlanticcoastplating.com. They moved from Fort Lauderdale to Athens Tennessee a few years ago. I was there today, they do great work at good prices

this is nickel plating on parts that they didnt spend a lot of time prepping.ive got some aluminum parts im waiting to get back with this done to them,i think it looks more like polished aluminum which is what im after on certain aluminum parts but should be a lot less maintenance than plain polished aluminum

now aint that purdy?

That's gotta be a bitch to clean after a 100 mile ride, though....

yeah thats an 80 spoke harley wheel,im sticking with 40 myself.but it just gives you an idea whatcan be done with nickel plating,im burned out on chrome and want something differant

Notice that the wheel is powder coated after it is Nickel plated, to protect it. About cleaning that wheel- notice that it is a belt drive :laugh: Not much cleaning required. Just dust it off once in a while. I do agree that Nickel alone looks much richer than being chromed afterward. You just have to be very gentile with it. Also nickel is preferred on Aluminum because it is soft and works with the Aluminum during Thermal expansion and contraction. Chrome, being hard will start cracking after time because it has a totally different coefficient.