The CB1100 Community Forum

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Good luck scraping the black off of those...

Yea huh?

Going to have to take a slightly different approach to these..

Work in progress as we speak.

chrome!

Well, as close as I can homemade get to a shiny silver look at home anyway.

While plastic can be truly chromed, it is very expensive. Even the $300+ 'chromed' airbox covers from Samurider were not really chromed- I asked- they are just vacuum wrapped.

The covers are cheap- so I am going to try my best with chrome spray and see if I can't get a decent 10 footer out of them.

Like This


Maybe like this

Thank you for that picture- now I know to tape off the flat lips so they don't show like those. I'll keep that part black.
Would you mind if I asked which paint and what prep you did for that? What the process was?


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I really don't like how this forum software a pens each message to my last one if nobody else has posted. It tends to screw things up more than help.

Anyway here are the initial pictures after my spray.

I knew that it wasn't going to look like chrome, but that is OK because I did a brushed finish on the side covers, valve cover, and the wheels that I ground down.

Once they are left to drive for at least 48 hours, I will buff the surface which should help slightly in the reflection.

Overall I am happy with the way they initially look, while not mirror chrome in appearance, from a few feet away they definitely look like they are metal. And thanks to the prior poster, I taped off the top lip so it will remain blacks as to not stand out as much.




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I think they look very good.
You wouldn't want chrome shiny anyway would you?

If I had more paint- for both the gloss black undercoat and the 'chrome' spray- I imagine it would come out more reflective as I could spend more time with layers and sanding... but there is a limit to my patience as motorcycles are not my only hobby.

Also- cost was a concern, because even where we are at now- I spent about $60 on paint and sandpaper as well a several hours.

Anything more and I would just pay Takashi for the vacuum wrapped ones. Yes $300 is more money- but less effort and I can work instead of work..if you know what I mean...

Maybe I should have done that to start...but all this is more about 'I did that' and the hobby instead of perfection..

Anyone can 'build' a bike or car by handing a shop a credit card. That has never been my way.
For reference- the style my bike is going for- http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread....#pid167919