Hawkstone-Satin Chrome Tank

[TritonMike]

I have a 1958 Hawkstone privateer bike (ex Willie Pitblado) and decided to get the steel tank straightened and re-chromed. It now has a deep shiny chrome finish and I was told that it was possible to get it vapour blasted to get it back to the original "matt chrome" without affecting the integrity of the plating. Has anyone had this done and what specific blast process is used (aqua/vapour)?
I live in Cheltenham if anyone knows of a local source for this service.

[Brian Thompson]

Chrome Tanks etc.

Hi Mike,

I'm only up the road in Stratford, having recently moved from Cheltenham (The Reddings) myself, and am still sussing out local services etc.

However, an excellent platers that do 'satin chrome' (sateen?) finishes is;

http://www.marquerestore.co.uk/

Their website is really informative and well worth a look. I wonder if they could recommend anyone to help you out?

Brian.

[TritonMike]

Sateen Chrome

I have tried several times to call them but get the answer machine. Reading thier stuff they would have been excellent at getting the Sateen chrome finish first time round. However someone from the GRA spoke to me and said it was very common to get the tank shiny chromed then have it Vapour blasted (or Aqua??) to get a similar effect. Can anyone out there help?

[Brian Thompson]

Vapour Blasting Chrome finishes...

Villiers Services offer a vapour blasting service-maybe they'd know. Otherwise you could also try phoning round the many blasting specialists that advertise in (for example) 'Old Bike Mart'?

Can anyone offer Mike any advice on this please? Has anyone had it done on one of their tanks?

Brian.

[tony]

Dull Chrome

I had my Scottish Tank dull chrome plated by:

http://www.chromebysandt.com/

[TritonMike]

I had a conversation with someone who was competing in this era. He was convinced some tanks were full shiny chrome and was going to dig out some photos. Can anyone confirm that as that is my simplest solution.
I still have not found anyone who knows how to turn Shiny chrome into Sateen chrome look.

[johnrunnacles]

We have an ace restorer of Greeves bikes of the era resident in Suffolk. It may be worth your while to speak with him. I will forward his contact details if you send me your's on a Private Message, with confirmation that you are a fully-paid-up member of the GRA, please.

[Phil Hyde]

Brushed finish chrome

Mike
I believe the finish you are after is achieved before the chrome goes on. I've heard it referred to as "Diamond Chrome" and looks like brushed stainless. You need to speak to a good plating guy who specialises in bike stuff.

The finish is achieved by machine wire brushing and then final chroming.

Hope this is of use

Phil

[Brian Thompson]

For info Phil, check out the link to 'Marque Restore' in post #2 of this thread.

Interesting website, lots of handy info on the different finishes and processes.

Brian.