Chrome plating a swaybar?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Stuck in Paradise
Chrome plating a swaybar?
I was thinking about chrome plating or maybe polishing my rear sway bar. Has anyone had experience with this?
I don’t know if chroming would change the characteristics of the bar of if it would not withstand any flexing that might occur. If polished, how can it maintain the finish being exposed to the elements?
I don’t know if chroming would change the characteristics of the bar of if it would not withstand any flexing that might occur. If polished, how can it maintain the finish being exposed to the elements?
Le Mans Master
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From: Time is a great teacher. Unfortunately, it kills all its pupils.
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
There was another member that just posted fairly recently showing the undercarrige of his vette. It was immaculate. What wasn't polished was chromed (including the sway bar). I don't remember his forum name but will repost here if I find his thread.
Last edited by jaxgator; Oct 8, 2005 at 11:40 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Time is a great teacher. Unfortunately, it kills all its pupils.
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Here ya go! It was CF member Scratch. He posted some pix in this thread: Keeping the bottom side clean. Maybe PM him for more specific info on chroming the sway bar.
Team Owner
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From: Plano Texas
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
CI-VI Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Another option to consider (and it's a whole bunch cheaper) is to Powder Coat these (front and back). Color match them to the cars paint job, From the rear (if you are far enough away) these look really nice).
Total costs here in DFW was less than $180 for both.
Total costs here in DFW was less than $180 for both.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Plano Texas
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
CI-VI Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Originally Posted by CoastalRAP
Thanks for the idea, I didn't think of powder coating. I'll look into that as well.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Northern Illinois
Oldtimer
Originally Posted by CoastalRAP
Thanks for the idea, I didn't think of powder coating. I'll look into that as well.
They have a "chrome" powder coat, but it's not quite as shiney as real chrome. I had my fuel cell covers done and they turned out great.
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Team Owner
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From: Phoenix
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'09
Paid $55 to chrome the rear sway bar, $6 each for the brackets and some of the nuts and bolts...bar has had no chips, flaking or cracks so far, been almost two years. (and I do make it flex 
)
Prior to plating, I painted it red with Dupli-Color spray paint, no problems with that either. Check around on plating prices, they will vary.
)Prior to plating, I painted it red with Dupli-Color spray paint, no problems with that either. Check around on plating prices, they will vary.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Stuck in Paradise
Thanks for the great info!
I’ll be looking locally to find powder coating and chroming vendors. Thanks Scratch, chroming is my first choice so it’s good to know that you’ve had good luck with it.
Naples, I heard early in the week they were putting them up, so if the weather didn’t hold them back too much, the roof should be up. That’s a good milestone for us since now weather will have little affect on the schedule. I still hope that the rep drywall walk through will be November.
I’ll be looking locally to find powder coating and chroming vendors. Thanks Scratch, chroming is my first choice so it’s good to know that you’ve had good luck with it.
Naples, I heard early in the week they were putting them up, so if the weather didn’t hold them back too much, the roof should be up. That’s a good milestone for us since now weather will have little affect on the schedule. I still hope that the rep drywall walk through will be November.
