Chinese chrome

[ledany]

Alas Robert, that's how my cover looks like today.



I had to buy another one.  I know it's cheap, still ! 

[pago cruiser]

If you haven't before, I would consider getting it powdercoated.
While not chrome, some specialty powders look like anodized aluminum - and (I think) be almost indestructible - unless maybe hit by a rock.

[Jess from VA]

In my part of the world, metal with silver paint prayed on it is called Mexican chrome.

That isn't racist, since Mexican isn't a race.  

Though I suppose it still isn't nice (even if it is accurate).

[Kidd]

I have heard better ones  , or worse , depending

Mexican air conditioning  , in the summer time , drive around in a car with the windows rolled up , pretending you have AC .
That was back in Corpus Christi , where I grew up in the 1970s

In my part of the world, metal with silver paint prayed on it is called Mexican chrome.

That isn't racist, since Mexican isn't a race.  

Though I suppose it still isn't nice (even if it is accurate).

[bscrive]

There was a time when something made in China meant quality now it just means crap

[Robert]

Mine looks better but I always wax it and use a silicon spray knowing how soft the chrome actually is.

I am going a different route though, I saved the original cover and will have it chrome plated. When I received the Chinese cover I didn't like the fact that it scratched fairly easily although in every other way was well made and I figured it bought me the time to have a good chrome plating job done to the OEM cover. I tried chrome polish on it and it made marks so I knew it was soft.

I Have not done it yet but and it will more than likely cost around 100.00 and take about 2 to 3 weeks. This way since I have a cover on it doesn't cut into my riding and I can choose a quality chrome shop and with the oem cover and a good chrome job on it I should be good to go.

I thought about buying another one and it is a possibility they are not bad but I think this will be a better way to go. It may be an idea for you too.

A suggestion for you if you take some silicon spray and spray it on the front cover and wipe it off a bit it will look better till you decide what you want to do.

Tire spray like the stuff you detail a car with works really well to protect and make it look better. But dont buy the foaming stuff or the thick trigger spray. I use a light weight silicon spray made for trim and tires and stays on longer and is easier to wipe the excess down. Another tip it makes the black on the bike look like new. I spray it on and wipe excess off and I dont have a problem. It makes keeping the bike clean, easier since it repels water and road dirt especially on the black plastic radiator shrouds and the lower front cowl.  

Sometimes the screws like on the brake reservoir top become slightly corroded with water, this spray stops that and will make them look really good. Spray on wipe off and it keeps the black a deep black. It works on chrome also so they dont get those spider corrosion marks. It also keeps the original look to the bolts that hold the cover on and doesn't allow dirt to stick on the bolts so you just rinse it off.  

Need to state the obvious, DON'T use it on our bike tires, car tires yes bike tires NO.   and let us know what you decide.


https://www.amazon.com/Sprayway-SW936-Instant-Shine-Case/dp/B009ONZ7MK

[ledany]

Thanks for this so detailed answer Robert ! 

To tell the truth, I'm not a cleaning maniac, I simply wash the bike once a week (water & brush), I appreciate the fact that the wheels are black so I rarely wash them carefully. The bike is so easy to clean up, it takes less than 10 mn 

I bought this chinese chrome cover because it's funny & cheap (40 $ free delivery), I know I won't ever chrome the oem one (or maybe I'll paint the chinese one in black to fit with the cowl ?).

I may try to protect the cowl with the tire spray and see what happens ! 

[Crabballs]

Looks like Harry S. Chung screwed the pooch on that one, and many Americans too!  I try to avoid buying those cheap Chinese knock-offs as the the aggravation isn't worth the "savings" one is looking for.  You know it's bad when the market is flooded with garlic imported from China.  That cover was probably plated in the same warehouse they sort garlic!

[Robert]

Looks like Harry S. Chung screwed the pooch on that one, and many Americans too!  I try to avoid buying those cheap Chinese knock-offs as the the aggravation isn't worth the "savings" one is looking for.  You know it's bad when the market is flooded with garlic imported from China.  That cover was probably plated in the same warehouse they sort garlic!

Your right about the Chinese stuff as far as the chrome. The cover is actually made pretty well. The alignment is spot on and its a solid piece, but the chrome is not good. I bought it because I like the look of the factory cover with the bolts. Didn't want a wing chrome cover because it was to finished with no bolt holes. Always figured would chrome the OEM just didn't know on the urgency to do it.

[bscrive]

I wonder if they just used chrome paint.  They have stuff now that you spray on and it comes out pretty good.

Check it out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBtdU10PIcE

[Robert]

I wonder if they just used chrome paint.  They have stuff now that you spray on and it comes out pretty good.

Check it out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBtdU10PIcE

Could be, its a pretty soft finish, I managed to mar the finish a bit using metal polish.

But you know that may be a good idea for Ledany