Hey guys i've got a question. I'm ordering a roll cage through summitt racing and when it comes in I think i'm going to have it powdercoated the same color as my car, but just the other night I got the idea in my head to have the cage chromed. A buddy of mine owns a chrome shop, and I was thinking that i'd get a screamin deal on the chrome, but was wondering how the glare would be on a chrome cage. What would look nicer? What would be the pros/cons of each choice? Thanks in advace

Powdercoating is probably your best option. I don't think NHRA or other sanctioning bodies allow chrome chassis or safety items because of hydrogen embrittlement concerns.

and how would you chrome a cage after it's been installed? the whole car would have to be dipped.

Originally posted by novaderrik:
and how would you chrome a cage after it's been installed? the whole car would have to be dipped. Same question about powercoating.

you could POTENTIALLY strip a car down to a bare chassis and mask off the rest of the car and powder coat just the cage and cook it in a big oven- but you'd have to actually chrome a whole car.. can you say BLING BLING

I was saying that when the cage comes in I can have it dipped or powdercoated, and then install in it my car.

Originally posted by Pat Kelley:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by novaderrik:
and how would you chrome a cage after it's been installed? the whole car would have to be dipped. Same question about powercoating. </font>[/QUOTE]Not that hard if the right equipment is used. We do it here at HD on our bikes.

Joe

Originally posted by novaderrik:
and how would you chrome a cage after it's been installed? the whole car would have to be dipped.
Ever heard of a bolt-in rollbar? Lots of people make and use them.

Originally posted by Clint44:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by novaderrik:
and how would you chrome a cage after it's been installed? the whole car would have to be dipped.
Ever heard of a bolt-in rollbar? Lots of people make and use them. </font>[/QUOTE]NHRA requires welding both for the bar components and to the frame or floorboards (on sub-frame cars). So a bolt in wouldn't be legal at a NHRA track.

Plus, with chrome or powdercoating it's nearly impossible to varify tubing thickness if a NHRA certification was ever required.

GO POWDERCOAT,BUT ITS GOT TO BE RED,BLOOD SHOWS ON CHROME TOO EZ !!! :eek: graemlins/beers.gif

One problem with chrome is hydrogen embrittlement. The acid in the plating donates hydrogen to the steel which weakens it. This is important for high alloy steels but not low alloys. The solution is to bake the chrome plated parts at about 350 deg for a couple hours to drive out the hydrogen (soon after plating). This may not be practical for something as big as a roll bar. Forget the chrome.