Spray on Chrome...wonder why it never took off?

[wiggydotcom]

The following video is from Jay Leno's Garage. I could see doing side covers or the peeling/bubbling alternator covers in this stuff.
But in checking out the website afterwards, it appears not to have been updated in a few years.

Does anybody know of a supplier today that sells this technology?

http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play?p=Jay+leno%27s+garage+spray+on+chrome&vid=926edb47a271f3366e1624427653ae42&l=6%3A55&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts2.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DV.4817120593904229%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DA-1cTpSZ1l8&tit=Jay+Leno%26%2339%3Bs+Garage%3A+Spray-On+Chrome&c=0&sigr=11ausf052&sigt=1167pjk12&back=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%3Fei%3DUTF-8%26p%3DJay%2Bleno%2527s%2Bgarage%2Bspray%2Bon%2Bchrome%26type%3D714647%26fr%3Dchr-greentree_ie&sigb=13d4u7o1c&ct=p&age=0&&tt=b

[Gavin_Sons]

That is cool. I like how you can tint the clear coat. Wonder how it holds up to heat

[wiggydotcom]

That is cool. I like how you can tint the clear coat. Wonder how it holds up to heat

Good question, in the case of the alternator cover. I like how it could restore pieces that the chrome dippers wouldn't touch.
There is another company in the UK that sells the stuff, but it appears they want you to buy the entire setup which includes the A100 Spray bench.

http://spraychromesolutions.co.uk/

[Grandpot]

I've seen this up close and it really looks good.  You can chrome materials that you could never chrome before, however, it is paint and will not hold up to exhaust heat.

Here's a couple of links:
http://www.spraychrome.com/
http://www.sprayonchrome.com/Gallery.html

[Gavin_Sons]

I was really just think the heat from the engine. Like the alternator cover. I think it would be neat to do a whole bike ina tint with it. Like a blue with black rims. Everything would shine like chrome.

[wiggydotcom]

I was really just think the heat from the engine. Like the alternator cover. I think it would be neat to do a whole bike ina tint with it. Like a blue with black rims. Everything would shine like chrome.

Doing a whole bike with the tint would be interesting, Gavin. If one watches the video, for some reason, "runs and orange peel" don't seem to be an issue.

[wiggydotcom]

I've seen this up close and it really looks good.  You can chrome materials that you could never chrome before, however, it is paint and will not hold up to exhaust heat.

Here's a couple of links:
http://www.spraychrome.com/
http://www.sprayonchrome.com/Gallery.html

Thanks for the links, Grandpot. DId you see it at a company that's still in business? I'd like to get my side covers done for a reasonable cost. I followed your link but I didn't really see a distributor or company that actually does the service. Maybe I looked in the wrong place.

[bikerboy1951]

I found a place in Nebraska. J&B Powdercoating and they list prices for different motorcycle parts on their web site.  I am going to contact them after the holidays about doing the alternator cover. 
Will post more after contacting them.

Brad

[Flrider]

My neighbor has this machine and he is looking to sell it.
He never used it and has no plans for it.

http://www.sprayonchrome.com/equipment.html

There are a bunch of youtube videos that show how it works.
Interesting but I also notice that you have to wear a lot of protective gear, stuff must be harmful to your health if not careful.

[wiggydotcom]

I found a place in Nebraska. J&B Powdercoating and they list prices for different motorcycle parts on their web site.  I am going to contact them after the holidays about doing the alternator cover.  
Will post more after contacting them.

Brad

Brad, I just got around to checking out their link because I thought they were strictly a powdercoating company. I was pleasantly
surprised to see they do the chroming. I'd be very interested to hear what they have to say when you call them. Could you please ask them what it would cost to have a pair of side covers and center cover(the one with the seat release lock assy) chromed? I'm sure others would also like to hear what the alternator cover costs to have redone.

Thanks so much,
Russ

[mmurffy03]

on the vendor page is  classic components a plating company in LA CAL they did my side covers my plastic tank neck covers and just last week a plastic rear wheel dust trim ring the black one all in chrome they look great side covers were 200.00 the neck covers were 60.00 each and the trim ring 50.00  the ring was a new one I just got from Honda direct and from what im told the better the condition of the plastic the better it takes hold best way I can describe it is my side covers look great but the back sides of them don't look like a set of hondaline covers that were done before the bike was built  but the outside is prepped more before the treatment is done and look great and they do a batch at a time not until a full batch is ready to dip do they run it so it takes 7 to 10 weeks to get the parts back so winter is the best time to do it they give a VRCC discount I know big mike had some problems with wheels he had done there but all my plastic parts turned out fine I called a few other places that run ads on the car shows on weekends some wanted 400.00 to just do my side covers way too much for my pocket ps they also did a set of exhaust hangers that look great








and I had a set of triple trees polished by a pro polish guy and by chance I keep my bike im going to do my fork tubes and rear drive unit polished

[wiggydotcom]

mmurffy03,

Thanks for the info on Classic Components. I checked out their page and will certainly give them first consideration if the other "spray on" places don't pan out.

And your bike is beautiful. I saw it in the classifieds. GL on selling it.

[Grandpot]

Wiggy:

Go to this site and to their Contact page.  Give them a call and I'm sure they will put you in touch with a shop near you that uses their process.

I have spoken with these folks, their real company name is Spectra Chrome, and they are very helpful.

http://www.sprayonchrome.com/Gallery.html

[Ricky-D]

Both these two sites show a great finished product but they also do not duplicate the site where Jay Leno was showcasing that particular chroming process.

There two latest sites are more like conventional spray painting and I think the safety suits and masks indicate the technology is with the carrier solution and the solution is dangerously toxic. That has always been the problem with spray on chrome finishes. The particles in the solution, the ones that give the chrome finish will want to settle out while the carrier solution thickens up and dries. These two latest sites have solved that problem with a possibly new spray medium.

On the other hand, the process that is on Jay Leno's video is water based, and there is no evident problem with separation and settling of the mirror particles.  This feature was clearly shown in the video, what with all the water running over all the surfaces. This particular process uses a completely different application and is not similar in any way to the other two sited application processes.

If you go to the spraychrome site, be sure to look at the sport bike that is completely "chromed", it is very nice to say the least.

***

[bikerboy1951]

I just talked to Josh at J&B Powdercoating (402-694-6117).  He said that this process would stand up to temps of about 325*.  They can remove the old chrome.  I was told that the cost would run between $100 and $150.  Not much cheaper than a new alternator cover but if it stands up it is probably worth it.

Brad