Chrome question, has anybody used these people?
#26
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I think I caught lung cancer just looking at those pictures.
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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Maybe that's why it's a family business. I know in West Virginia you meet people for whom black lung is a family tradition, but they don't like wind farms because the business of West Virginia is coal. Likewise, if the chrome plating business has been in your family for a couple of generations you won't give it up easily.
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Cheaper isn't necessarily better.
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agreed. But friendly and quality win me over every time. I looked at the work they did, saw some before and after. they were quick to offer a tour and everyone looked healthy, not that I saw lung x-rays.
The uncle was in his 70s, and looked like he was in his 70s.
They did quote bike frames, smaller BMX or 24" wheeled frames are 250. larger like Schwinn paramounts or varsity (he named them) are $300.
Cheaper than a quality paint job.
The uncle was in his 70s, and looked like he was in his 70s.
They did quote bike frames, smaller BMX or 24" wheeled frames are 250. larger like Schwinn paramounts or varsity (he named them) are $300.
Cheaper than a quality paint job.
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"Leave the gun. Take the Colnagos."
"Leave the gun. Take the Colnagos."
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Again, depends on their prep. I have seen a lot of details lost because someone leaned into the buffing wheel.
Low price is either due to a lower hourly rate, or they save time by leaning into the buffing wheel. I hope yours is the former.
Low price is either due to a lower hourly rate, or they save time by leaning into the buffing wheel. I hope yours is the former.
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Or, as a family biz, they take care of their own the best they can. I was told not to come by during lunch because they close for family meal.
“Paulie did the prep-work, - and he had this wonderful system for doing the garlic. He used a razor. And he used to slice it so thin that it used to liquify in the pan with just a little oil. It’s a very good system.”
“Paulie did the prep-work, - and he had this wonderful system for doing the garlic. He used a razor. And he used to slice it so thin that it used to liquify in the pan with just a little oil. It’s a very good system.”
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"Leave the gun. Take the Colnagos."
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#32
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Or, as a family biz, they take care of their own the best they can. I was told not to come by during lunch because they close for family meal.
“Paulie did the prep-work, - and he had this wonderful system for doing the garlic. He used a razor. And he used to slice it so thin that it used to liquify in the pan with just a little oil. It’s a very good system.”
“Paulie did the prep-work, - and he had this wonderful system for doing the garlic. He used a razor. And he used to slice it so thin that it used to liquify in the pan with just a little oil. It’s a very good system.”
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
#33
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Further to droppedandlost reference to Seattle's Art Brass Plating.... The chrome fork on my Ciocc Designer 84 had no pits, but was a rusty mess when I acquired it. The fellow at the front desk at Art Brass finished my sentence for me when I started to explain I did not want chrome added to the crown race fit. Cost was ~$225 about four years ago. Expensive in my book, but the work was flawless and I have no regrets.
Dean
522E54A9-0F3E-4B40-BD62-E28E59D52606
Dean
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#34
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Not that kinda guy. They are in charge of their own destiny.
#35
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Kind of moot, but I have used StL Plating. Very pleased with the results. $150 for the frame and fork, but that was in 2010. First pic is StL Plating work. Pic below is from Jack at Franklin Frame. The crown was redone in the latter photo, the lugs were only polished..
010 by L Travers, on Flickr
20220403_162208 by L Travers, on Flickr
010 by L Travers, on Flickr
20220403_162208 by L Travers, on Flickr
#36
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well, I'd love to keep my $$ local
Mastercraft in Seattle answered me back. Between 450-500 to chrome a fork. plus, they had a fire and are taking no orders until feb.
he told me Art Brass is even higher.
Mastercraft in Seattle answered me back. Between 450-500 to chrome a fork. plus, they had a fire and are taking no orders until feb.
he told me Art Brass is even higher.
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"Leave the gun. Take the Colnagos."
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Has anyone found a chrome shop who will redo the rear chrome “socks” faithfully on a frame? I’ve been calling around all over the east coast. Chromers that will do bikes want to dip the whole frame. I’ve gotten lots of pushback suggesting that I want my frame restored like the factory finish.
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Has anyone found a chrome shop who will redo the rear chrome “socks” faithfully on a frame? I’ve been calling around all over the east coast. Chromers that will do bikes want to dip the whole frame. I’ve gotten lots of pushback suggesting that I want my frame restored like the factory finish.
PB162213 by L Travers, on Flickr
PB162225 by L Travers, on Flickr
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I spoke to one small shop that was pretty cheap and was surprised to hear that they’re taking so small. Basically a 1 foot cube. So he suggested I could certainly have the socks done, or a tiny part of the rear triangle. Maybe some cranks. But who chromes cranks.
I have a project in the same category.
I don’t want to pay for a whole frame when all I really want is the rear triangle.
whole bike costs more in two ways, paying for chrome I don’t want,
and
the painter who has to bead blast the chrome so paint will adhere
I have a project in the same category.
I don’t want to pay for a whole frame when all I really want is the rear triangle.
whole bike costs more in two ways, paying for chrome I don’t want,
and
the painter who has to bead blast the chrome so paint will adhere
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"Leave the gun. Take the Colnagos."
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I wonder if anyone reading this thread has already made arrangements to send a fork or frame to that company. Knowing how many of us are cheap first and everything else second, I'm guessing yes. Will anyone admit it here, though?
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Thanks for the tip, that did turn out pretty well! Do you know if the price was more or less than chroming the whole frame? I’m reluctant to send this frame off but if I can’t find a local shop I might just have to do it.
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No idea on the price as it was 2006.
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The results are in.
Today I picked up the colnago fork and a Holdsworth fork belonging to the “thin man.”
The Colnago was a little bit more difficult with cut outs and pantograph. I think they did a 9.5 out of 10. You can still clearly read Campagnolo on the drop outs. I am very pleased.
The Holdsworth is perfect. A 10 out of 10. I could not be more impressed with the work these people do.
I told him how to suspend frames for just doing lugs. And maybe rear triangles.
Today I picked up the colnago fork and a Holdsworth fork belonging to the “thin man.”
The Colnago was a little bit more difficult with cut outs and pantograph. I think they did a 9.5 out of 10. You can still clearly read Campagnolo on the drop outs. I am very pleased.
The Holdsworth is perfect. A 10 out of 10. I could not be more impressed with the work these people do.
I told him how to suspend frames for just doing lugs. And maybe rear triangles.
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"Leave the gun. Take the Colnagos."
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^ Looks like the Colnago fork could do with a bit more polishing under the fork crown, but it may just be the photo.
How good is fresh chrome? (Environmental concerns aside...)
How good is fresh chrome? (Environmental concerns aside...)
#47
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They said they polished as much as they feel comfortable. Any more polishing could take away from the overhang? I am pleased with it. It would take a real jerk with a magnifying glass to find fault with it. I had brought with me an original chrome fork for comparison and it looks great.
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If it was polished, It wouldn't be Italian.
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They said they polished as much as they feel comfortable. Any more polishing could take away from the overhang? I am pleased with it. It would take a real jerk with a magnifying glass to find fault with it. I had brought with me an original chrome fork for comparison and it looks great.
I’ve sent shops detailed photos of a stock bike and even one stripped to bare metal with the factory chrome showing the transition. Did no good.
I’m going to consider some of the very good recommendations from this thread, though I’m still reluctant to ship the frame off if I can help it.
#50
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Google family plating in St Louis.
they even quote bikes and parts in their price sheet.
I have seen examples of entire frames they have done.
plus they understand just lugs and/or socks.
I have half a mind (well, I only have half a mind anyway) to have my new 73 Derosa chromed.
If I didn’t like it, switch over to chromavelito.
anyway, I would do it sooner than later before all chrome shops in the states are shut down.
they even quote bikes and parts in their price sheet.
I have seen examples of entire frames they have done.
plus they understand just lugs and/or socks.
I have half a mind (well, I only have half a mind anyway) to have my new 73 Derosa chromed.
If I didn’t like it, switch over to chromavelito.
anyway, I would do it sooner than later before all chrome shops in the states are shut down.
Last edited by Robvolz; 02-16-23 at 12:24 PM.
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