Chrome Drums

[409T]

I'm guessing that if I take a pair of brake drums to be chromed they should be turned afterwords to mill the plating off the inside mating surface. Is that correct?

Jeff

 

[putz]

The chrome process I believe holds heat in so I would not recommend it maybe powdercoated. Powder coating comes in a wide array of finishes. I would ask BenT about it.

 

[Old Rotor Flap]

I agree with Putz.

However, given that in general, T's likely weigh considerably less than the car for which the drums were designed Therefore, I would expect while there would be a reduction in the drums efficiency in heat disipation, I'm not sure the effect would be so dramantic as to cause a safety concern.

Again, agreeing with Putz. I'd go the powder route as I suspect you're not going to be road racing the car.

 

[bobby6319]

I'm guessing that if I take a pair of brake drums to be chromed they should be turned afterwords to mill the plating off the inside mating surface. Is that correct?

Jeff

They will mask off any surface you don't want chromed. do what you want or you will never be happy.

 

[benT]

The chrome process I believe holds heat in so I would not recommend it maybe powdercoated. Powder coating comes in a wide array of finishes. I would ask BenT about it.

You can powdercoat them and there are some "chrome" powders that look alot like polished aluminum. This would be a lot less expensive than chrome and would be pretty durable. The inside braking surface would be taped off. We've done a lot of drums and rotors, calipers, etc. Here is a rear axle in the 'chrome" powder. If you want real chrome, then sending it off to a chrome-plater is the only way to go.

 

[Ted Brown]

I myself ever polish or chrome or even paint with gloss paint any brake parts, as it is insulating and holds heat... I use satin Black chassis or BBQ paint on brake drums, and many times I was very thankful that I did... Brake fade is not fun... But, I drive a lot, hard and sometimes fast... Love them curvy country roads...

 

[Corley]

Ted's correct on this if you intend to drive your Bucket. Flat black repels the heat, most other colors and finishes hold it in to some differing degree. If it's just for show, then make your chromer rich!

 

[Differen T]

I'm guessing that if I take a pair of brake drums to be chromed they should be turned afterwords to mill the plating off the inside mating surface. Is that correct?

Jeff

If I recall the Beach Boys on their original 409 album had a song titled "If it doesn't run, chrome it."

Al