Chrome That Sucker!!

No more having to re-apply polish, just wipe and go.









Some may not be the best quality, but you get the point, chrome plating is SO much easier to deal with, especially when it comes to cleaning. The actual Plenum isnt chromed just yet, but the runners are, along with my brackets and such.

Just thought I would share.

 

Well, I must admit it looks good. However, chrome and heat do not mix well. I am not a big fan of chrome. I love a good polished aluminum because polished aluminum is one of those trademarks of a car fanantic, and is an ode to their dedication.

Some may say chrome is an easy way out, I have to agree. Also, if you clear coat a great polished aluminum job it will last.

As I was saying earlier, chrome in the engine bay will corode (rust) eventually. Especially chrome that is exposed to high heat.

Good luck bro.

 

Most of us are not OCD/**** retentive. They'll never get that hot and they're aluminum so corrosion, with minimal care, (the point of the chrome), will not happen.

 

i agree completly.
it looks good, but its the easy way out, and it will look different when it gets hot.

 

Yes, I understand that some people think that chrome is the "easy way out" , and to some it is, everyone has their own opinion. The reasons that I chose to plate it over polishing it were:
1. Because of how much easier it is to take care of.
2: he fact that there's no upkeep to making chrome look good
3. Personally, I flat out think it looks better then the polished aluminum, in my opinion.

I no longer have to re-polish everytime I go to a car show, I dont have to worry about the "Finish" because I cleaned it with some sort of cleaner.

Windex is now my engine's best friend, just spray some onto a paper towel, wipe my chrome clean, and Bam!, a shine that wont fade away because my metal polish has rubbed off.

I am by all means a car fanatic, I am very dedicated in taking care of my car, I would much rather do it right the first time, so that way I wont have to do it another time.

I am in no way trying to be offensive or personal about this, just voicing my opinion.

 

Alot of people polish because they don't want to put the time/effort into disassembling their engine and having it chromed, not to mention the cost. I think polished looks "better" only becuase it fits in the engine bay better. Chrome looks out of place unless its all chrome under there.

 

I don't think the intake runner temp is going to get as hot as exhaust parts do. Can't see how it's going to discolor when there's motorcycle engines which are chromed out and don't change color. Exhaust headers are a different story.

 

I am glad you are happy with your project.

I would not use windex to clean your chrome. Windex will eventually dull the finish and windex leaves a residue and over time from the engine heat and layers of residue will give you a big surprise. I recommend a metal polish of some sort.

There will be up keep whether you believe it or not. No... it will not discolor from heat, but your intake manifold reaches temps around 400*. residual moisture and dirt can easily dull your finish by baking on your parts. Have you ever had a chrome valve cover for about 2 years? They are about worthless after a certain period of time. You will see oxidation deposits forming from the inside. Since chrome is it's own type of metal, when you mate it with another type of metal such as steel or aluminum you will get galvanic corosion. Chrome over time produces the worse. It will start from the inside.

However, I am not trying to be a jerk or discourage you. I am simply stating that if you want this nice piece of work you are so proud of to last. You will need to take good care of it just like anything else.

Now all you need is to match your plenum to your runners.
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I doubt it will get that hot either... however motorcycle shops chrome differently than most places. Most of the time there are an insane amount of coats. Less than three it would rust within a week.

I rather see stainless steel though, looks awesome when hot.

 

Damn that looks good! how much does something like that cost and is the inside of the runners chromed to?

 

My proform aluminum GMPP valve covers are Chrome and 3 years later still look awesome.