Chrome/Nickel plating

[Colin Stanley]

I would like to have replated, the hex headed screws etc of my classic Mafac brakes.
Could anyone advise please who might do this in the south east (I live in Kent)?

[Mick F]

I know nowt about your brakes, but why don't you just renew the screws?
Are they a special sort?

Sorry if I'm being daft.

[hubgearfreak]

Are they a special sort?

oh yes, very esoteric french
they do sometimes turn up on ebay

i'm off to a classic car thing at the w/e, and there's normally a chap there who re plates things, i'll try my very best to remember to pick up his card.

[jake]

Probably a bit far for you, I use an excellent firm in Hoddesden, Herts. (About 10 mns from M25). Send me a PM if you want details.

[Colin Stanley]

Yes, the hex head screws are really special, very thin heads, extremely unusual, not off the shelf metric, and the brake block retainers are special also. Some of the nuts are machined back to a plain diameter for a location to hook-in the caliper returning torsion springs. Alltogether, the brakes are nicely (what a horrid word) thought out. The retaining fasteners are (were?) badly plated and have become quite rusty and or dulled. Just want to get them a little brighter, not looking for immaculate Harley Davidson finish, unless that is the only option.

[robbo]

Caswelleurope make kits for plating small items at home. I can't get their website for some reason.

[Colin Stanley]

Hi, I found Caswelleurope on a Google search. They seem to have everything I need......except that the cheapest kit is around £130. Although that sounds expensive, it's "only" around the price of a pair of Campy Ergo levers, or a Halfords bike. Trouble is I only want to refurbish a few items.

[david grimshaw]

Go on to EBay UK, Cycling and put in Mafac. You should get all Mafac bits in Europe and the US. What you want should be cheaper than getting them done. Be aware (1) that some platers have a minimum charge and be aware (2) imports from the US can be charged duty @ 17.5%.

[hubgearfreak]

here's one, there's many others if you google.

hope it helps

http://www.classicsandchrome.co.uk/1.html

if you do use them, please, please post a reply with costs and before and after pics, for all us other classic cycle nutters

[Colin Stanley]

Thanks folks for all your advice.
It's a niche market, and that's for sure.

[steve.y.griffith]

One alternative to rechroming is painting with silver enamal. I have only found rechroming cost effective if you have quite few parts to do .

The chrome on Mafac brakes parts ( cable clamp bolt, pivot bolts and brake shoe holders, brake springs) is one of their only weak points. The quality of the chroming got worse with the passage of time eg Mafac brakes for the 50's is far better chrome than those from the 70's.
A useful tip if the stirrups are getting worn swap them over front and back


Steve ( VCC Mafac Marque Enth and general Mafac bore.)

[Colin Stanley]

Steve,
My bike which I bought from new is an old Geof Butler from 1962 (Nervex pro lugset, Campag ends, very comfortable to ride, and almost a classic....). At the time I though the plating on the brake bits was a bit naff, but 45 years on, the parts look a quite sad. If I had known at the time the brakes would look as bad as they do now, I might not have bought them............ , but at the time they were the ONLY brake to buy.
I'm using kitchen foil on the main bearings to minimise the play - it seems to work ok. And Koolstop pads stop me on a sixpence (what a quaint expression....).
I am also rebuilding a 1960 Hetchins which will have similar brakes, hence the need to replate two sets of chrome bits. I will just have to bite the bullet and get the Mafac bits replated properly.