When talking about chrome on classic bikes, is anyone taking into account
the heavier tube walls on older frame tubing? Does it matter?
.1mm=.004--that's how much thinner the midsection on, say, a Deda ZeroUno
tube is compared to the same point on Columbus SL tube. How much metal can
polishing remove?
David Feldman
Vancouver, WA
> I think this discussion about chrome illustrates the differences of
> perspective. I can't speak for everyone that has contributed some I'm
going
> to generalize. The framebuilders that have posted see chrome and it's
> challenges through the eyes of framebuilders. Others that have posted see
> chrome through the eyes of consumers and collectors. Both perspectives
are
> valid but it appears to me that the two aren't speaking about the same
> thing. Both are talking about how the chrome looks but the consumers are
> looking at a macro level while framebuilders are looking at micro level.
As
> a framebuilder, I see chrome at a micro level. Brian Baylis was talking
> about polishing is the most critical part of chroming. I think some
people
> think this means how shiny the finish is. Polishing does that but also it
> removes material. Done correctly, it's not an issue. Done poorly, nice
> little details can be blurred and/or worst of all cause a frame to fail.
>
> I think consumer/collectors have been comparing chrome's longevity as a
> barometer for judging quality. While longevity is part of the equation,
> polishing is another part. From the front door of my shop, I can throw
> stone and hit six platers. They all do good work. The chrome sticks and
is
> shiny but these people do bumpers and other thick and flat objects. These
> parts are easy to polish and not ruin. When I've shown them frames to be
> chromed, none of them wanted to touch it. I think this is why Richard
Sachs
> needed to pay so much for the chrome from JB. There are very few platers
> that want the hassle and fewer able to do a great job.
>
> IMHO, the Italians historically have done a lot of chrome on bikes that
held
> up reasonably well but lacked the finesse that is demanded today.
>
> Curt Goodrich
> Minneapolis, MN
>
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