Re-chroming a vintage Italian frame?
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
Re-chroming a vintage Italian frame?
My mid-70's Coppi Campionissimo originally had a pearl paint job with chrome head lugs, fork head, half the forks, and half the stays. I had to have it repainted around 1988 due to living at the beach in Hermosa Beach, it was rapidly rusting. I got a nice white/red paint job but I'd sort of like to restore the bike to somewhat original. How expensive is it to have someone do this chroming plus a paint job? The bike isn't worth much at all, it would just be for my own satisfaction. TIA for the help! BTW I'm in the SF Bay Area.
#2
aka: Dr. Cannondale
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,735
Mentioned: 234 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2155 Post(s)
Liked 3,406 Times
in
1,206 Posts
I had a drameset resprayed and rechromed (rear triangle,fork, head tube lugs) about five years ago by Franklin Frames. Jack Trumbull did the paintwork but he contracted the chromework out to someone he knows and has worked with for years who understands the special circumstances of frame plating. A first class job five years ago was around $750 plus shipping.I’m sure it’s more $ today.
__________________
Hard at work in the Secret Underground Laboratory...
Hard at work in the Secret Underground Laboratory...
Likes For rccardr:
#3
Junior Member
I had my Pinarello Treviso restored to original factory spec full chrome four years ago by Tom Kellogg/Spectrum Cycles (since retired). Excluding repairs to the frame, the cost of stripping the frame, rechroming, polishing and masking the brite areas, respraying (plus candy color upcharge), clear coating, and various finishing details worked out to US$1,250. The chrome was done by DGM Chrome Plating in Philadelphia.
Refinishing a "[not] worth much at all" frame "for [your] own satisfaction" is a perfectly acceptable justification. If you decide to go this way, know that you won't be alone.
Refinishing a "[not] worth much at all" frame "for [your] own satisfaction" is a perfectly acceptable justification. If you decide to go this way, know that you won't be alone.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Alta California
Posts: 14,272
Mentioned: 415 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3814 Post(s)
Liked 3,345 Times
in
2,182 Posts
-----
the pitfalls of replating are legendary
when looking for a plater find a fellow cyclist to give referral(s)
since you are in the bay area you could contact Ed Litton, for example, to see if he can suggest a plater or platers he likes
a challenging business to be in with environmental regulation getting stricter all the time...
-----
the pitfalls of replating are legendary
when looking for a plater find a fellow cyclist to give referral(s)
since you are in the bay area you could contact Ed Litton, for example, to see if he can suggest a plater or platers he likes
a challenging business to be in with environmental regulation getting stricter all the time...
-----
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,489
Mentioned: 102 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1641 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 831 Times
in
540 Posts
Make sure the frame is totally free of any chemicals involved in the re-chroming process before you have it painted, as supposedly, what's left, specially inside the tubes, could rust up the frameset again......
__________________
72 Line Seeker
83 Davidson Signature
84 Peugeot PSV
84 Peugeot PY10FC
84 Gitane Tour de France.
85 Vitus Plus Carbone 7
86 ALAN Record Carbonio
86 Medici Aerodynamic (Project)
88 Pinarello Montello
89 Bottecchia Professional Chorus SL
95 Trek 5500 OCLV (Project)
72 Line Seeker
83 Davidson Signature
84 Peugeot PSV
84 Peugeot PY10FC
84 Gitane Tour de France.
85 Vitus Plus Carbone 7
86 ALAN Record Carbonio
86 Medici Aerodynamic (Project)
88 Pinarello Montello
89 Bottecchia Professional Chorus SL
95 Trek 5500 OCLV (Project)
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NW Burbs, Chicago
Posts: 12,057
Mentioned: 201 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3015 Post(s)
Liked 3,808 Times
in
1,411 Posts
Likes For iab:
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,453
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 878 Post(s)
Liked 2,296 Times
in
1,283 Posts
I would give another endorsement for Jack at Franklin Frame . He did my Colnago a while back and it came out beautiful and holding up to the road well. I was lucky with the little bit of chrome on the fork crown just needed buffing out , so he didn’t have to send it out.
#8
Full Member
Thread Starter
Yes! That's exactly the look I want! Thank you all for the replies, especially in understanding that I'm just doing this for my own satisfaction.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Burien WA
Posts: 512
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse, LeMond Victoire, Bianchi Campione d'Italia, Kona Hei Hei, Ritchey Ultra, Schwinn "Paramount" PDG, '83 Trek 640
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 268 Post(s)
Liked 325 Times
in
211 Posts
My mid-70's Coppi Campionissimo originally had a pearl paint job with chrome head lugs, fork head, half the forks, and half the stays. I had to have it repainted around 1988 due to living at the beach in Hermosa Beach, it was rapidly rusting. I got a nice white/red paint job but I'd sort of like to restore the bike to somewhat original. How expensive is it to have someone do this chroming plus a paint job? The bike isn't worth much at all, it would just be for my own satisfaction. TIA for the help! BTW I'm in the SF Bay Area.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Bloomington, IN
Posts: 2,951
Bikes: Paramount, Faggin, Ochsner, Ciocc, Basso
Mentioned: 117 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1304 Post(s)
Liked 1,913 Times
in
1,143 Posts
I was really lucky getting some re-plating done locally due to friends at Pro Kote Indy who sent me to a group that does Chrome the old fashioned way. You will have to dig around in the posts to find pictures of my Faggin that got a complete re-chrome of the frame and fork. The work is fantastic and looks really beautiful. Now the downside is going to be costs; I got a sweet heart deal and was under $1K, but if you want to save one you will have to pay. But they did a great job and I am completely happy with it. I won't discourage you for doing the re-plating just be aware that there are gonna be some costs. You can contact me off line if you wish to pursue the idea. Smiles, MH
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 20,305
Mentioned: 130 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3464 Post(s)
Liked 2,831 Times
in
1,997 Posts
lessons have been learned, procedures known.
out here in California the shops are closing up fast.
Likes For repechage:
#12
Crawlin' up, flyin' down
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Democratic Peoples' Republic of Berkeley
Posts: 5,658
Bikes: 1967 Paramount; 1982-ish Ron Cooper; 1978 Eisentraut "A"; two mid-1960s Cinelli Speciale Corsas; and others in various stages of non-rideability.
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1027 Post(s)
Liked 2,531 Times
in
1,059 Posts
Another vote for Franklin Frame's guy if you want chroming, not from personal experience but from other C&Ver reports.
Ed Litton is great for paint - I have used him a number of times and his work is first rate. But he always farms out the chrome work to one of two area chrome shops. Both were okay, but both had occasional problems, and both usually added significantly to the project time line. Also, chrome shops and California environmental regulations increasingly do not play well together - the shops are getting rarer all the time.
You really want your plater to know what he or she is doing. I mean that they really, really know what they are doing, and with plenty of bike frame experience, not just dipping car bumpers. Otherwise, there is a potential for bad things to happen. How bad? See below. I can't be sure what caused this, but an imperfect rechroming process is a very real possibility. Granted, this was a 60+ year old fork that had been replated, but still . . . .
Ed Litton is great for paint - I have used him a number of times and his work is first rate. But he always farms out the chrome work to one of two area chrome shops. Both were okay, but both had occasional problems, and both usually added significantly to the project time line. Also, chrome shops and California environmental regulations increasingly do not play well together - the shops are getting rarer all the time.
You really want your plater to know what he or she is doing. I mean that they really, really know what they are doing, and with plenty of bike frame experience, not just dipping car bumpers. Otherwise, there is a potential for bad things to happen. How bad? See below. I can't be sure what caused this, but an imperfect rechroming process is a very real possibility. Granted, this was a 60+ year old fork that had been replated, but still . . . .
__________________
"I'm in shape -- round is a shape." Andy Rooney
"I'm in shape -- round is a shape." Andy Rooney
#13
Newbie
Another vote for Franklin Frame's guy if you want chroming, not from personal experience but from other C&Ver reports.
Ed Litton is great for paint - I have used him a number of times and his work is first rate. But he always farms out the chrome work to one of two area chrome shops. Both were okay, but both had occasional problems, and both usually added significantly to the project time line. Also, chrome shops and California environmental regulations increasingly do not play well together - the shops are getting rarer all the time.
You really want your plater to know what he or she is doing. I mean that they really, really know what they are doing, and with plenty of bike frame experience, not just dipping car bumpers. Otherwise, there is a potential for bad things to happen. How bad? See below. I can't be sure what caused this, but an imperfect rechroming process is a very real possibility. Granted, this was a 60+ year old fork that had been replated, but still . . . .
Ed Litton is great for paint - I have used him a number of times and his work is first rate. But he always farms out the chrome work to one of two area chrome shops. Both were okay, but both had occasional problems, and both usually added significantly to the project time line. Also, chrome shops and California environmental regulations increasingly do not play well together - the shops are getting rarer all the time.
You really want your plater to know what he or she is doing. I mean that they really, really know what they are doing, and with plenty of bike frame experience, not just dipping car bumpers. Otherwise, there is a potential for bad things to happen. How bad? See below. I can't be sure what caused this, but an imperfect rechroming process is a very real possibility. Granted, this was a 60+ year old fork that had been replated, but still . . . .
Last edited by 1970bikes; 02-14-24 at 03:06 AM. Reason: Poor wording
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,453
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 878 Post(s)
Liked 2,296 Times
in
1,283 Posts
Likes For Kabuki12:
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,683
Bikes: too many sparkly Italians, some sweet Americans and a couple interesting Japanese
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 569 Post(s)
Liked 589 Times
in
412 Posts
After a discussion on cracking is due to hydrogen embrittlement and avoidance by proper processing parameters I have used St. Louis Plating for two forks. This is their 60th year in business doing plating including bicycle and motorcycle plating for $300 for frames and $60 for forks.
Likes For easyupbug:
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 702
Bikes: 1984 Bianchi Tipo Corsa, 1985 Cannondale SM600 (24/26)
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 235 Post(s)
Liked 351 Times
in
191 Posts
Another vote for Franklin Frame's guy if you want chroming, not from personal experience but from other C&Ver reports.
Ed Litton is great for paint - I have used him a number of times and his work is first rate. But he always farms out the chrome work to one of two area chrome shops. Both were okay, but both had occasional problems, and both usually added significantly to the project time line. Also, chrome shops and California environmental regulations increasingly do not play well together - the shops are getting rarer all the time.
You really want your plater to know what he or she is doing. I mean that they really, really know what they are doing, and with plenty of bike frame experience, not just dipping car bumpers. Otherwise, there is a potential for bad things to happen. How bad? See below. I can't be sure what caused this, but an imperfect rechroming process is a very real possibility. Granted, this was a 60+ year old fork that had been replated, but still . . . .
Ed Litton is great for paint - I have used him a number of times and his work is first rate. But he always farms out the chrome work to one of two area chrome shops. Both were okay, but both had occasional problems, and both usually added significantly to the project time line. Also, chrome shops and California environmental regulations increasingly do not play well together - the shops are getting rarer all the time.
You really want your plater to know what he or she is doing. I mean that they really, really know what they are doing, and with plenty of bike frame experience, not just dipping car bumpers. Otherwise, there is a potential for bad things to happen. How bad? See below. I can't be sure what caused this, but an imperfect rechroming process is a very real possibility. Granted, this was a 60+ year old fork that had been replated, but still . . . .
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 5,798
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3515 Post(s)
Liked 2,929 Times
in
1,777 Posts
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,489
Mentioned: 102 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1641 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 831 Times
in
540 Posts
Another vote for Franklin Frame's guy if you want chroming, not from personal experience but from other C&Ver reports.
Ed Litton is great for paint - I have used him a number of times and his work is first rate. But he always farms out the chrome work to one of two area chrome shops. Both were okay, but both had occasional problems, and both usually added significantly to the project time line. Also, chrome shops and California environmental regulations increasingly do not play well together - the shops are getting rarer all the time.
You really want your plater to know what he or she is doing. I mean that they really, really know what they are doing, and with plenty of bike frame experience, not just dipping car bumpers. Otherwise, there is a potential for bad things to happen. How bad? See below. I can't be sure what caused this, but an imperfect rechroming process is a very real possibility. Granted, this was a 60+ year old fork that had been replated, but still . . . .
Ed Litton is great for paint - I have used him a number of times and his work is first rate. But he always farms out the chrome work to one of two area chrome shops. Both were okay, but both had occasional problems, and both usually added significantly to the project time line. Also, chrome shops and California environmental regulations increasingly do not play well together - the shops are getting rarer all the time.
You really want your plater to know what he or she is doing. I mean that they really, really know what they are doing, and with plenty of bike frame experience, not just dipping car bumpers. Otherwise, there is a potential for bad things to happen. How bad? See below. I can't be sure what caused this, but an imperfect rechroming process is a very real possibility. Granted, this was a 60+ year old fork that had been replated, but still . . . .
__________________
72 Line Seeker
83 Davidson Signature
84 Peugeot PSV
84 Peugeot PY10FC
84 Gitane Tour de France.
85 Vitus Plus Carbone 7
86 ALAN Record Carbonio
86 Medici Aerodynamic (Project)
88 Pinarello Montello
89 Bottecchia Professional Chorus SL
95 Trek 5500 OCLV (Project)
72 Line Seeker
83 Davidson Signature
84 Peugeot PSV
84 Peugeot PY10FC
84 Gitane Tour de France.
85 Vitus Plus Carbone 7
86 ALAN Record Carbonio
86 Medici Aerodynamic (Project)
88 Pinarello Montello
89 Bottecchia Professional Chorus SL
95 Trek 5500 OCLV (Project)
#19
Crawlin' up, flyin' down
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Democratic Peoples' Republic of Berkeley
Posts: 5,658
Bikes: 1967 Paramount; 1982-ish Ron Cooper; 1978 Eisentraut "A"; two mid-1960s Cinelli Speciale Corsas; and others in various stages of non-rideability.
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1027 Post(s)
Liked 2,531 Times
in
1,059 Posts
True that; I'm just happy it wasn't a Rich killer, A half hour before I discovered the crack, I was bombing down a two mile long, twisty but fast descent. It could have been disastrous. As it was, it was only an inconvenience. As annoying as it was and as expensive as it turned out to be, I consider myself to be truly fortunate, for which I am grateful.
__________________
"I'm in shape -- round is a shape." Andy Rooney
"I'm in shape -- round is a shape." Andy Rooney
Likes For bikingshearer:
#20
Crawlin' up, flyin' down
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Democratic Peoples' Republic of Berkeley
Posts: 5,658
Bikes: 1967 Paramount; 1982-ish Ron Cooper; 1978 Eisentraut "A"; two mid-1960s Cinelli Speciale Corsas; and others in various stages of non-rideability.
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1027 Post(s)
Liked 2,531 Times
in
1,059 Posts
The broken off end rides with me as a decoration dangling from my seat bag, and the rest of the fork remnants live in my basement, awaiting whatever painting/medical experiments I dream up.
__________________
"I'm in shape -- round is a shape." Andy Rooney
"I'm in shape -- round is a shape." Andy Rooney
#21
Stop reading my posts!
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 12,584
Mentioned: 90 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1444 Post(s)
Liked 1,064 Times
in
788 Posts
I'd bet that Ed Litton doesn't farm out chrome plating to ANY local (ish) shop anymore. I don't think there is a single one left doing business in the 9 Bay Area Counties that have to comply with Bay Area AQMD CARB regulations that control Chrome Plating emissions. If there is/was it would probably be motorcycle (as in custom Harley) related and I wouldn't trust one to know their way around a bicycle frame or fork
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Whittier
Posts: 873
Bikes: 1973 Colnago Super, Litespeed Classic , Automoto , Pinarello Gavia TSX,Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra,Eddy Merckx EMX-5 , 1982 Moser SL, Concorde TSX, Vitus 979 KAS. Diamant SLX,60's Meteor
Mentioned: 23 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 235 Post(s)
Liked 947 Times
in
327 Posts
I'm in the L.A. area,,the chroming capital of the world. With all the Hot Rods and Lowriders and Harleys around here its easy to get anything chromed. I know several actual Chroming Facilities in the area and have done tons of chroming on old cars, Harleys and bicycles.
I recently had the forks on my Giordana done and it cost me $40 and they look flawless .
On Frames , I would Not suggest doing on only certain sections on it as it is more trouble than its worth. about 25 years ago I had only the headtube area of a Pinarello and rear triangle chromed, the build up of the Nickle ,Copper, Chrome plating left a noticeable line on the tubes that no matter how much blending /sanding we tried the line was there after painting. The Chromer advised me to do the entire frame but I didnt listen . Lesson Learned .
I have found out it is easier and cheaper to just chrome the entire frame. I had my Automoto frame chromed for under $80 , and all the other steel parts were Nickle plated for about $30 . Pictures of it are on the "French Bikes " thread.
I recently had the forks on my Giordana done and it cost me $40 and they look flawless .
On Frames , I would Not suggest doing on only certain sections on it as it is more trouble than its worth. about 25 years ago I had only the headtube area of a Pinarello and rear triangle chromed, the build up of the Nickle ,Copper, Chrome plating left a noticeable line on the tubes that no matter how much blending /sanding we tried the line was there after painting. The Chromer advised me to do the entire frame but I didnt listen . Lesson Learned .
I have found out it is easier and cheaper to just chrome the entire frame. I had my Automoto frame chromed for under $80 , and all the other steel parts were Nickle plated for about $30 . Pictures of it are on the "French Bikes " thread.
Likes For Manny66:
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 20,305
Mentioned: 130 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3464 Post(s)
Liked 2,831 Times
in
1,997 Posts
There was rust packed into the part below the crack, i.e., from the crack to the dropout, so you are 100% correct on the internal rust front. Like you, I also suspect it was caused at least in part by chemicals from the re-chroming that was done c.2010-12, but I'll never know for sure.
The broken off end rides with me as a decoration dangling from my seat bag, and the rest of the fork remnants live in my basement, awaiting whatever painting/medical experiments I dream up.
The broken off end rides with me as a decoration dangling from my seat bag, and the rest of the fork remnants live in my basement, awaiting whatever painting/medical experiments I dream up.
One has to think that through, Art had to visit the facility and pick up the frame at least three times. Wild.
Other than the fork, I should have but did not ask how the seat stays were flushed out.
Partial immersion of the frame to stay clear of trouble areas can be done well, but the plater has to do some things that are non standard. No masking, each layer has to be buffed out at the end of the plating, and each successive stage has to be less immersed than the last. The only mfg that I am aware of that had this type of interested process control was Schwinn for the Paramount line. Most partial lugs and stays only were a flash of nickel and then chrome. On French bikes, some a bit of a buff then Chrome, no wonder the chrome did not last. Less build up. My hunch not also using the later fume control scheme of ping pong balls at the top of the tank fluid line. No Idea how that would effect the immersion termination line.
in California, the platers who are not doing EVERYTHING to reduce environmental pollution and waste will All be gone by 2026, the laws are set to end chrome as we have enjoyed it. The platers will be working only in more lax regulation states. the way of things.
Likes For repechage:
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,489
Mentioned: 102 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1641 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 831 Times
in
540 Posts
Eventually, people might have to send their stuff out for chroming in other countries like Mexico, that might be less strict about pollution coming from chroming facilities...
__________________
72 Line Seeker
83 Davidson Signature
84 Peugeot PSV
84 Peugeot PY10FC
84 Gitane Tour de France.
85 Vitus Plus Carbone 7
86 ALAN Record Carbonio
86 Medici Aerodynamic (Project)
88 Pinarello Montello
89 Bottecchia Professional Chorus SL
95 Trek 5500 OCLV (Project)
72 Line Seeker
83 Davidson Signature
84 Peugeot PSV
84 Peugeot PY10FC
84 Gitane Tour de France.
85 Vitus Plus Carbone 7
86 ALAN Record Carbonio
86 Medici Aerodynamic (Project)
88 Pinarello Montello
89 Bottecchia Professional Chorus SL
95 Trek 5500 OCLV (Project)
#25
aged to perfection
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: PacNW
Posts: 1,820
Bikes: Dinucci Allez 2.0, Richard Sachs, Alex Singer, Serotta, Masi GC, Raleigh Pro Mk.1, Hetchins, etc
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 840 Post(s)
Liked 1,263 Times
in
667 Posts
Even the famed Lodi Chrome is no more, they did fantastic work.
/markp