[CR]Flying Scot Dilema

Soliciting views and advice !

I've a 1937 Flying Scot http://www.flying-scot.co.uk/frame_pages/frame_3638.html, that's all-chrome, well that is, it was all chrome, much of it badly scratched or marked, and in places rubbed away to the nickle base but apart from a minor dent on the top tube, has no damage nor any serious rust. The problem I have is how to restore the original chrome finish. It's unfortunate that it's too far gone to call it "patina" so I'd like to have it re-chromed in preference to having it re-painted.

Has anyone on the list ever had a frame re-chromed ? - From what I can find out the platers remove the old chrome by reversing the plating process, causing the old plating to literally disappear, then the frame obviously has to be repolished, and then re-plated, and that the biggest problem lies in polishing the frame to required standard a second time round.

I've heard of frames ending up with pinholes in the tubes and other damage but I'm interested to hear from anyone whose managed it succesfully and the likely pitfalls. This frame isn't going to end up a rider, but purely a indulgent period-accurate replication of the original build, to which I'm getting the original art-deco stylised transfers made for. Of course there is the option of getting only the fork ends, the stays, the headtube and fork crown re-chromed, with considerably less risk and having the rest of the frame painted, but the thought of getting it totally re-chromed is somewhat appealing.

Am I completely mad, or is there a possibility it can be done without the inherrent risks involved ? Any of the British 'Listees' Hilary, Mick, anybody ? know of a sympathetic and understanding plater.

Bob Reid Stonehaven Scotland

http://www.flying-scot.co.uk (mapped)