Chrome plating mystery
#1
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Chrome plating mystery
This new-to-me frame came repainted, with an exposed chrome drive side chain stay. If the pictures show it well enough, there is a hard line at the drop out that I assumed was the end of the chrome plating. It looks like the faces of the drop out are steel. However, again if photographed well, the rear of the drop out and derailleur hanger are clearly chrome plated.
The same goes for the NDS dropout. Satin faces but chrome edges. And maaaaaybe part of the NDS chain stay is chrome? I gave it a wet sand and it seemed to get shinier.
Can anyone make sense of this?
The same goes for the NDS dropout. Satin faces but chrome edges. And maaaaaybe part of the NDS chain stay is chrome? I gave it a wet sand and it seemed to get shinier.
Can anyone make sense of this?
#2
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Only conjecture.
a chance the dropout was partially masked for reasons unknown prior to the chrome layer.
Chrome does not like to plate at inclusive regions. Buffer operators don’t like to have frames get snagged and go flying.
of course lots of opportunities for that at the cable stop.
I have an Italian frame where the clamp faces of the dropout are showing chrome, chainstay shows chrome as does the aft edge of the dropouts, the rest of the dropout has paint.
terrible chrome plating too. No copper layer. It was a race bike. Color almost lifts with a heavy breath. Italy in the 1980’s.
a chance the dropout was partially masked for reasons unknown prior to the chrome layer.
Chrome does not like to plate at inclusive regions. Buffer operators don’t like to have frames get snagged and go flying.
of course lots of opportunities for that at the cable stop.
I have an Italian frame where the clamp faces of the dropout are showing chrome, chainstay shows chrome as does the aft edge of the dropouts, the rest of the dropout has paint.
terrible chrome plating too. No copper layer. It was a race bike. Color almost lifts with a heavy breath. Italy in the 1980’s.
#4
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Replacement for broken dropout? Or replacement for original non-hanger-fied dropout, perhaps?
#5
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O think it might have been masked for the original paint and chrome; then perhaps sand blasted for the repaint.
It is a quirky frame.
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
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#6
Newbie
It's funny, I was just posting about a question I had about chrome plating on dropouts — a little bit different, but similar.
I can see chrome plating on the rear of the drive side dropout, not so much anywhere else besides the drive side chain stay. I think it has to do with the plating process. I've done some plating using Caswell products.. not chrome but zinc/copy cadmium.. but I think it's a similar process. You negatively charge the part (it becomes the cathode) and positively charge the metal that forms the plate (anode), and the plating moves electrically in in the bath in a radiating wave pattern from positive to negative. It forms a sort of cone from each anode positioned around the part, but it can also get pulled around corners to a certain degree. The bit on the rear of the dropout is probably just from less-than-perfect masking.
I can see chrome plating on the rear of the drive side dropout, not so much anywhere else besides the drive side chain stay. I think it has to do with the plating process. I've done some plating using Caswell products.. not chrome but zinc/copy cadmium.. but I think it's a similar process. You negatively charge the part (it becomes the cathode) and positively charge the metal that forms the plate (anode), and the plating moves electrically in in the bath in a radiating wave pattern from positive to negative. It forms a sort of cone from each anode positioned around the part, but it can also get pulled around corners to a certain degree. The bit on the rear of the dropout is probably just from less-than-perfect masking.
#7
Newbie
It’s likely that both are chrome plated. When chrome plating is shiny the polishing is done before the plating. If you sand the chrome you’ll be making it thinner and can cause bubbling. Then you will need to remove all the chrome or your paint will bubble.
Brass, polish, nickel strike then chrome.
Brass, polish, nickel strike then chrome.
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Interesting to find a C on the bridge. Had not uncovered that yet. But my favorites are the Cassanis on the seat stay caps. Would love to see the brake bridge C
I also could never decipher the writing on the steerer tube on the fork.
@jamesdak has a Krapf version of it, and I believe maybe @Choke has a Magni or Losa labelled version.
Dave
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
#10
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I could never track down any Cassani information. Thought the rider (but likely too early and no response back), and no go on contact with the Losas. I presumed it was for a sponsor of some sort who wanted their name on it.
Interesting to find a C on the bridge. Had not uncovered that yet. But my favorites are the Cassanis on the seat stay caps. Would love to see the brake bridge C
I also could never decipher the writing on the steerer tube on the fork.
@jamesdak has a Krapf version of it, and I believe maybe @Choke has a Magni or Losa labelled version.
Dave
Interesting to find a C on the bridge. Had not uncovered that yet. But my favorites are the Cassanis on the seat stay caps. Would love to see the brake bridge C
I also could never decipher the writing on the steerer tube on the fork.
@jamesdak has a Krapf version of it, and I believe maybe @Choke has a Magni or Losa labelled version.
Dave
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I was going to custom make Cassani decals as my first inclination.
I am stoked by your excitement. I know you were the right recipient!
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
#12
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I believe maybe @Choke has a Magni or Losa labelled version.
Losa built the Cinelli Supercorsa from the mid-90s until 2008. I've also seen references on another forum that Losa built some Colnago models and some DeRosas (that latter came from Richard Sachs, who visited the Losa factory in the 70s).
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I think the chainstay was polished, as typical of Italian bikes of that era. Then the entire frame was chrome dipped, as typical of Italian bikes of that era.
Everything was normal and obvious, until repaint time, and the entire bike was sandblasted except for the chainstay and where the sandblaster missed a few spots.
The chrome on the chainstay can be made to look like new with a buffing wheel, even after sanding accidentally.
Only conjecture.
a chance the dropout was partially masked for reasons unknown prior to the chrome layer.
Chrome does not like to plate at inclusive regions. Buffer operators don’t like to have frames get snagged and go flying.
of course lots of opportunities for that at the cable stop.
I have an Italian frame where the clamp faces of the dropout are showing chrome, chainstay shows chrome as does the aft edge of the dropouts, the rest of the dropout has paint.
terrible chrome plating too. No copper layer. It was a race bike. Color almost lifts with a heavy breath. Italy in the 1980’s.
a chance the dropout was partially masked for reasons unknown prior to the chrome layer.
Chrome does not like to plate at inclusive regions. Buffer operators don’t like to have frames get snagged and go flying.
of course lots of opportunities for that at the cable stop.
I have an Italian frame where the clamp faces of the dropout are showing chrome, chainstay shows chrome as does the aft edge of the dropouts, the rest of the dropout has paint.
terrible chrome plating too. No copper layer. It was a race bike. Color almost lifts with a heavy breath. Italy in the 1980’s.
#14
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Thread Starter
...Everything was normal and obvious, until repaint time, and the entire bike was sandblasted except for the chainstay and where the sandblaster missed a few spots.
The chrome on the chainstay can be made to look like new with a buffing wheel, even after sanding accidentally.
The chrome on the chainstay can be made to look like new with a buffing wheel, even after sanding accidentally.