Phil Posted April 21, 2002 Share Posted April 21, 2002 At a later date I wish to remove the roll bar for possible painting or chroming, has anyone done this job and is it simple or hard to do 1990 h reg 1700ss de dion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Carmichael Posted April 22, 2002 Share Posted April 22, 2002 DO NOT CHROME IT Chroming involves the use of many caustic chemicals and results in hydrogen embrittlement. It is entirely inappropriate for stress bearing or safety components. Show cars can get away with it, but do not do it if you intend to drive your car anywhere. Removing the bar is easy enough though. (fitting a roll cage however isn't so easy) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V7 SLR Posted April 22, 2002 Share Posted April 22, 2002 fitting a roll cage however isn't so easy Ne'er a word better said. I spent yesterday jumping up and down on top of mine, trying to get the front holes line up with the nuts welded into the chassis... ...after about 3 hours of this, I resorted to drilling out a single pop rivet each side only to watch the cage drop into place. I'd thought the cage-mount was clear of the rivets. Doh..!! Dead chuffed with the results, although I ache so much from fitting it that I can't actually get in any more. smile.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Posted April 22, 2002 Share Posted April 22, 2002 "Hydrogen embrittlement" I though, would only apply to carbon steels, bolts of grade 10+ etc? What is the bar made from? (It is weldable so cannot have that much carbon present). I have seen many other roll bars chromed, from F1 types to AC Cobras. I want a shiny chrome one. Roland Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Carmichael Posted April 22, 2002 Share Posted April 22, 2002 Have a look at this description of chroming Or try a Google search with the keywords "Hydrogen Embrittlement Chrome" For shininess, I would advise paint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Drew Posted April 22, 2002 Share Posted April 22, 2002 Roland, "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing" ....seems beautifully appropriate here. The embrittlement is real (I'm sure the Blue Book forbids it on safety-related bits) You won't have seen 'chromed' roll bars on F1 cars - if you're thinking of the gorgeous Lotus 49's etc it was probably nickel, but certainly not chrome. Leave it to the lowriders and Fake Snakes (:~) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Septimus Posted April 22, 2002 Share Posted April 22, 2002 Doesn't it make crack detection more difficult? You don't see many people who race old Maseratis etc with chromed Borranis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted April 22, 2002 Author Share Posted April 22, 2002 Thanks for all the tips on chroming and I shall be avoiding that one and getting a powder coat or paint job instead. You all say removal of the bar is easy but I am unclear on fitting being hard to do, is it hard to refit a bar or do you mean it is hard to insatall from new or both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morls Posted April 22, 2002 Share Posted April 22, 2002 I think mine was plated from new, along with wishbones and ARB, (Caterham Silver Jubilee 1983ish.) Would this then be Nickel, not Chrome? Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Carmichael Posted April 23, 2002 Share Posted April 23, 2002 Generally if something is called "chromed", the gloss silver finish is usually nickel. The chrome is a translucent layer on top which prevents the nickel from tarnishing. All such finishes are very bad for the strength of the component. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I reply to every thread Posted April 23, 2002 Share Posted April 23, 2002 Does Chris Clark know that - with his heated towel rail?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Posted April 23, 2002 Share Posted April 23, 2002 Oh dear, looks like our head lamps are about to fall off!! Any one got a polished roll bar please? Roland Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Walker Posted April 24, 2002 Share Posted April 24, 2002 What about electroless nickel plating and then oven treated to draw out the hydrogen? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dino ferrana Posted April 24, 2002 Share Posted April 24, 2002 I believe Caterham stopped offering chromed suspension when it was found to cause strength problems! I don't think they would allow it from new anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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