chroming aluminium - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

casey · 03-31-2003, 02:54 AM

I heard you could chrome aluminium, does anyone know if thats true, or should I just get the grill polished, polish it or chrome it? what do you think?

Chevy Wrench · 03-31-2003, 03:35 AM

Yes, you can chrome aluminum. I had the door sills on my 94 chromed. Looks really good, plus you dont have to polish them all of the time.

69 Short Fleet · 03-31-2003, 05:35 AM

Chevy Wrench is correct, chrome plating aluminum is very common in the sportbike world right now (motorcycle showbikes). I would suggest getting it done by a top notch plating shop, and a few things to consider are; 1 it can peel and 2 if it gets scratched it MUST be replated. I prefer polished aluminum (I do most of my own) as you can always get the finish back and if you regularly maintain the aluminum (don't neglect it) it looks great! Just my opinion though, later Doug

tom hand · 03-31-2003, 07:42 AM

Chroming aluminum is a very common practice...take a look at any Harley, BUT there are different kinds of aluminum, cast and extruded. Chroming cast parts works well because the aluminum is porous from the casting process. Extruded aluminum [like your grill] is not porous and is somewhat soft, making it a poor candidate for chroming. I think if you take it to any good chrome shop they will pass on chroming it or charge you so much you could buy an NOS grille cheaper.

MOTHERTRUCKERS · 03-31-2003, 08:51 AM

69 short fleet, I keep seeing the Neil Young still rocks on your posts. If you have seen his tour bus you have seen my work as I and 9 other craftsman put the new Phoenix together here in Bradenton Fl after the fire destroyed the first Eagle bus.

*Gee_Emm* · 03-31-2003, 02:19 PM

One thing to add, when you take it to the chrome dudes, make sure that you tell them and that they understand that your part is made out of aluminum otherwise they could put it in the wrong tanks and the chemicals would screw it up big time.

casey · 03-31-2003, 10:31 PM

It kind of sound like maybe polish is my safe bet, and chroming would cost a lot, and I'm worried they might not do it right, thanks for all your input guys, I love this site for this, you get mixed input which helps you decide.

*Gee_Emm* · 03-31-2003, 11:47 PM

This was a set of brand new magnesium corvette valve covers that a local chroming place screwed up.

*Gee_Emm* · 03-31-2003, 11:51 PM

And if you are planning on going the polishing route I saw on "trucks" a while back this stuff call "zoops" I think, anyways you put this stuff on the aluminum after you polish it and it protects the metal so you don't have to polish it as often, I think he said it lasts 5 years or something.

krue · 03-31-2003, 11:52 PM

My buddy with the garage chrome shop found out the hard way that muratic acid will totally eat the pot metal that most ornaments are made of! The only thing left was the chrome plate!

But he polished some aluminum and it was sharp!!!

69 Short Fleet · 04-01-2003, 01:49 AM

Hey Mothertruckers, no I have not seen Neils tour bus. Do you do artwork or graphiics? And I never heard about his tour bus burning up, I PRAY TO GOD he never lost any of his Gibson guitars in the fire!!!! Later, Doug

casey · 04-01-2003, 02:08 AM

appreciate the input thanks again

Stroker · 04-01-2003, 10:25 AM

Gee_Emm from the looks of those valve covers I'm guessing chrome and mag don't go well together. Just looking at the pics made me sick to my stomach. Brand new and totally destroyed, yuk....Stoker

landon4421 · 04-01-2003, 03:16 PM

There is one more way that I had thought of. Polish the parts and take them to the powder coater and have them put a clear on the parts. I looked at a set of rims when I got my frame from the powder coaters, and they looked sweeeeet. All you have to do is wipe and go. Good luck.

*Gee_Emm* · 04-01-2003, 07:52 PM

Its not the chroming, its the different cleaning baths they put the metals in before chroming tank.

There is nothing wrong with chroming aluminum, just make sure that you do business with a decent place and make sure they know its aluminum.

casey · 04-01-2003, 08:52 PM

that powder coating clear on a polished peice sounds like the cats ass, I'll look in to that thanks landon4421

landon4421 · 04-02-2003, 12:18 AM

No problum, casey. I would advise you have them put like at least 3 coats of clear. It will hold up well and you wont have to worry about scratches as much. Landon

69 Short Fleet · 04-02-2003, 01:29 AM

Landon: Do you know if the "powdercoating clearcoat" stays clear longer compared to older methods that turn "yellow" or "milky"? I remember talking to a guy at a carshow that said the "powdercoating clearcoat" on polished aluminum does infact stays clearer longer, thanks, Doug

03-31-2003, 02:54 AM	#1
casey Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada Posts: 2,048	chroming aluminium I heard you could chrome aluminium, does anyone know if thats true, or should I just get the grill polished, polish it or chrome it? what do you think?

03-31-2003, 03:35 AM	#2
Chevy Wrench former desert rat Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: salt lake city, utah Home of the 3 M's Mormons, methlabs and minivans Posts: 320	Yes, you can chrome aluminum. I had the door sills on my 94 chromed. Looks really good, plus you dont have to polish them all of the time. __________________ 94 Chevy Silverado Ext cab 4/6 drop w/ 18's and 2500watt system (work truck). 67 Chevy swb under const. frame off custom, 20's, bagged and a large rat under the hood,and a 1940 Chevy truck under const.

03-31-2003, 07:42 AM	#4
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	Chroming aluminum is a very common practice...take a look at any Harley, BUT there are different kinds of aluminum, cast and extruded. Chroming cast parts works well because the aluminum is porous from the casting process. Extruded aluminum [like your grill] is not porous and is somewhat soft, making it a poor candidate for chroming. I think if you take it to any good chrome shop they will pass on chroming it or charge you so much you could buy an NOS grille cheaper. __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

03-31-2003, 08:51 AM	#5
MOTHERTRUCKERS Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: BRADENTON FLA Posts: 3,269	69 short fleet, I keep seeing the Neil Young still rocks on your posts. If you have seen his tour bus you have seen my work as I and 9 other craftsman put the new Phoenix together here in Bradenton Fl after the fire destroyed the first Eagle bus. __________________ Rest in Peace Ed. Thanks for all the good times.

03-31-2003, 11:52 PM	#10
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	My buddy with the garage chrome shop found out the hard way that muratic acid will totally eat the pot metal that most ornaments are made of! The only thing left was the chrome plate! But he polished some aluminum and it was sharp!!! __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

03-31-2003, 05:35 AM	#3
69 Short Fleet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada Posts: 1,086	Chevy Wrench is correct, chrome plating aluminum is very common in the sportbike world right now (motorcycle showbikes). I would suggest getting it done by a top notch plating shop, and a few things to consider are; 1 it can peel and 2 if it gets scratched it MUST be replated. I prefer polished aluminum (I do most of my own) as you can always get the finish back and if you regularly maintain the aluminum (don't neglect it) it looks great! Just my opinion though, later Doug

03-31-2003, 02:19 PM	#6
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 3,991	One thing to add, when you take it to the chrome dudes, make sure that you tell them and that they understand that your part is made out of aluminum otherwise they could put it in the wrong tanks and the chemicals would screw it up big time.

03-31-2003, 10:31 PM	#7
casey Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada Posts: 2,048	It kind of sound like maybe polish is my safe bet, and chroming would cost a lot, and I'm worried they might not do it right, thanks for all your input guys, I love this site for this, you get mixed input which helps you decide.

03-31-2003, 11:47 PM	#8
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 3,991	This was a set of brand new magnesium corvette valve covers that a local chroming place screwed up.

03-31-2003, 11:51 PM	#9
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 3,991	And if you are planning on going the polishing route I saw on "trucks" a while back this stuff call "zoops" I think, anyways you put this stuff on the aluminum after you polish it and it protects the metal so you don't have to polish it as often, I think he said it lasts 5 years or something.

04-01-2003, 01:49 AM	#11
69 Short Fleet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada Posts: 1,086	Hey Mothertruckers, no I have not seen Neils tour bus. Do you do artwork or graphiics? And I never heard about his tour bus burning up, I PRAY TO GOD he never lost any of his Gibson guitars in the fire!!!! Later, Doug

04-01-2003, 02:08 AM	#12
casey Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada Posts: 2,048	appreciate the input thanks again

04-01-2003, 10:25 AM	#13
Stroker Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Moore, Ok Posts: 1,149	Gee_Emm from the looks of those valve covers I'm guessing chrome and mag don't go well together. Just looking at the pics made me sick to my stomach. Brand new and totally destroyed, yuk....Stoker __________________ 72 SWB parts and pieces Oklahoma

04-01-2003, 03:16 PM	#14
landon4421 Life is Good ! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hollister, Ca. Posts: 1,992	There is one more way that I had thought of. Polish the parts and take them to the powder coater and have them put a clear on the parts. I looked at a set of rims when I got my frame from the powder coaters, and they looked sweeeeet. All you have to do is wipe and go. Good luck. __________________ '72 Chevy C10 4x4 shortbed "Project" '71 Chevy C10 2wd longbed "partsrunner" '91 Chevy Burb 4x4 "kidrunner" '14 Honda Accord Sport "commuter"

04-01-2003, 07:52 PM	#15
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 3,991	Its not the chroming, its the different cleaning baths they put the metals in before chroming tank. There is nothing wrong with chroming aluminum, just make sure that you do business with a decent place and make sure they know its aluminum.



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04-01-2003, 08:52 PM	#16
casey Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada Posts: 2,048	that powder coating clear on a polished peice sounds like the cats ass, I'll look in to that thanks landon4421

04-02-2003, 12:18 AM	#17
landon4421 Life is Good ! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hollister, Ca. Posts: 1,992	No problum, casey. I would advise you have them put like at least 3 coats of clear. It will hold up well and you wont have to worry about scratches as much. Landon __________________ '72 Chevy C10 4x4 shortbed "Project" '71 Chevy C10 2wd longbed "partsrunner" '91 Chevy Burb 4x4 "kidrunner" '14 Honda Accord Sport "commuter"

04-02-2003, 01:29 AM	#18
69 Short Fleet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada Posts: 1,086	Landon: Do you know if the "powdercoating clearcoat" stays clear longer compared to older methods that turn "yellow" or "milky"? I remember talking to a guy at a carshow that said the "powdercoating clearcoat" on polished aluminum does infact stays clearer longer, thanks, Doug

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