> Frames are routinely rechromed as part of restoration, don't know why that
> should be any harder on Condor than on any other marque. Chroming does involve
> corrosive substances, but that is why you choose someone who knows what he (or
> she) is doing for restorations.
Whereas an original chrome just just involves electrically adding some chrome, a chrome restoration involves electrically stripping the chrome and then polishing the chromed area, and then rechroming the area. Each of the 3 rechroming steps can harm the frameset. It is far harsher to rechrome a frameset than to chrome it originally.
I would recommend that, if it's a small area of the frameset that has problems, consider getting a dremel and restoring the chrome with a brush chroming set. The downside is the chrome will be a little bit "warmer" (pinker) than "british blue chrome". This is only noticeable in bright flourescent lights.
On the other hand, it's very cheap ($50 for a KMart dremel w/wire brush and a brush chroming kit and some 600/1200/2000 grit sand paper), and it is far, far lower impact than a full restoration / rechroming of a frameset. Save the rechroming only for very severe rust infections that have spread everywhere.
We are only temporary caretakers of these frames for 5, 10, or 20 years.
- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA