NigP Posted September 25, 2002 Share Posted September 25, 2002 I have an R500 rollover bar which I would like to have chromed before fitting to my Green/Alu 7. Currently the car is fitted with the smaller black item (standard on classics) which looks OK but I think the thicker chromed bar will enhance the overall appearance. Does anyone have experience of getting items such as this chromed? Do I have to have coating with nickel prior to chrome for corrosion protection? How much roughly did/would it cost and if anyone has done this are they pleased with the result? The rollover bar is currently in bare mild steel and has not been treated or painted. Any advice greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fast Westie Posted September 25, 2002 Share Posted September 25, 2002 Don't do it, the chrome weakens the structure of the metal. Have it bead blasted and powder coated The car in front is a Westfie1d Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NigP Posted September 25, 2002 Author Share Posted September 25, 2002 What does the finnished result look like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECR Posted September 25, 2002 Share Posted September 25, 2002 Electroless nickel plating is the preferred finish for this type of part (if you want a shiny finish) AFAIAA it does not suffer the hydrogen embrittlement problems of electricaly deposited finishes. It was the finish used on Lotus 49 suspension for example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philwaters Posted September 25, 2002 Share Posted September 25, 2002 I recently painted my FIA bar to match the car. I found that a certain Pug green (Conifer Green) matched my BRG almost perfectly and I think it looks smart. Is that not an option? Light, thin coats and plenty of them is the key I think... and then two coats of lacquer (sp), wait a week and polish up... Phil Waters You mean you can drive these? I thought it was just there to polish 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NigP Posted September 25, 2002 Author Share Posted September 25, 2002 The electroless nickel plating sounds most like the result I am looking for. Can anyone recommend where to have this work done and any idea of cost??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NigP Posted September 25, 2002 Author Share Posted September 25, 2002 Phil do you have any pictures of the finnished result with colourkeyed rollover bar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philwaters Posted September 25, 2002 Share Posted September 25, 2002 Sorry, not yet.. still too recent a job and haven't got a new-fangled digi-camera I'm afraid... plus my car is GRB all over with a yellow strip. Just meant don't rule out painting. I'd have thought you could paint yours silver with good results.. Have a look at page 13 and Ted7's car here for how your car might look with a chrome/silver roll bar http://www.7gallery.junglelink.co.uk/ p.s. I'm in Bracknell, if that is close for you to have a look. Phil Waters You mean you can drive these? I thought it was just there to polish 😬 Edited by - philwaters on 25 Sep 2002 15:21:14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super_Rich_Bernie Posted September 25, 2002 Share Posted September 25, 2002 Is your car a Live Axle Classic (you mention the smaller bars are 'standard on classics')? I think there maybe a difference between the De Dion & Live Axle chassis bars - certainly is with the FIA bars. Before the expense of powdercoating/plating check that it will fit! Apologies if I'm talking rubbish - I'm sure someone on here knows for certain. Jonathan Edited by - JonathanG on 25 Sep 2002 15:36:30 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NigP Posted September 25, 2002 Author Share Posted September 25, 2002 That's the look! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NigP Posted September 25, 2002 Author Share Posted September 25, 2002 Dedion, from gross inspection looks as though it should fit right in, already have fixing kit and new boot cover ready to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Sewell Posted September 25, 2002 Share Posted September 25, 2002 De-dion and live-axle rollover bars are different, as is the way that you have to fit them. With the de-dion you need to remove the dampers which you don't for the live-axle. Of course, if you ae talking about the current 'classic' which is a de-dion, then the difference no longer exists. Low tech luddite - xflow and proud! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECR Posted September 25, 2002 Share Posted September 25, 2002 NigP Had all my plating done in the west midlands so unlikely to be of help to you. Surf the web ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philwaters Posted September 25, 2002 Share Posted September 25, 2002 Personally I would look for some spray cans - I used 4 300ml cans to do my FIA bar and 2 300ml cans of clear on top of that. It isn't very cheap - but try to get 500ml cans - I should have. You can have a go at what it looks like on your old bar - I tried on my old one to make sure I could do it. The very worst that will happen is that you waste £20 or £30 on paint and then get it chromed. I think something like an Audi Silver would look cool and probably match the Ali better than Chrome. I'm very pleased with mine Phil Waters You mean you can drive these? I thought it was just there to polish 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philwaters Posted September 25, 2002 Share Posted September 25, 2002 Oh, and if you do paint - put lots of news paper down... I did mine in the garage - with car on drive - and spent 30 mins washing the garage floors out afterwards as it was covered in a fine green dusty layer. Thankfully the painted floor meant it swept out eventually ❗ Phil Waters You mean you can drive these? I thought it was just there to polish 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul.davis Posted September 25, 2002 Share Posted September 25, 2002 If you plate your roll bar it will not meet MSA spec (due to inherent weaknesses caused by plating) and will not be eligible for a Club Trackday!! Paul Zeeeeeeetec . . . . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Carmichael Posted September 26, 2002 Share Posted September 26, 2002 Paul, keep your hair on. It is an R500 bar so it is cosmetic at best anyway and ineligible for club track days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I reply to every thread Posted September 26, 2002 Share Posted September 26, 2002 If you want it painted take it to Tony at TSK (The Caterham paintshop). It'll cost you little more than the aerosol technique described above & he does a bloody good job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian Thompson Posted September 28, 2002 Share Posted September 28, 2002 Could you make a bolt on "diaganol bit" to make it ok to use at club trackdays or has it got to be totally different and "tested" by the MSA? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyR Posted September 28, 2002 Share Posted September 28, 2002 Ju, Unfortunately you will need to change the bar as they have to be of a specific type steel and of a larger diameter. I believe the FIA ones are also angled differently. TonyR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian Thompson Posted September 29, 2002 Share Posted September 29, 2002 Arse. How much heavier is the FIA one? ☹️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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