Rusty luggage rack - paint? powder coat? re-chrome?

[Guest]

My KG chrome luggage rack is seriously rusty, with the chrome completely peeled off in places. I've cleaned it up with wire brushes etc. now it needs to be made presentable. I was thinking of spray painting it with the same satin black I used to repaint the bars. Obviousy the cheapest route, but maybe not all that robust. I've yet to get prices for powder coating or re-chroming.

Looking for suggestions; anyone else deal with something similar?

[jsandidge]

If you plan on strapping anything to it, paint won't last long at all. Powder coat is better, but still scratches if you're not careful. The powder coaters I have dealt with require a $100 minimum, so it's best to do multiple parts. That's why I do my own coating with a cheap Harbor Freight system. Re-chroming will be robust, but not cheap.

[ddaniels]

l had a clutch cover re-chromed once for another bike. Cost me about $60.

[sailorman1617]

thanks for the replies. I figured paint won't hold up all that well since bungie cords marred the chrome. The Harbor Freight powder coating unit says it requires about 10psi. I only own a pancake compressor, which can more than handle the pressure, but not sure if it would have the capacity for spraying?

There are powder coating and rechroming shops nearby, I guess I could get quotes. I may be able to get the same rack from my buddies identical GS1100, have to see what condition it's in.

[jsandidge]

Your pancake compressor will do the trick with the Harbor Freight unit. I buy my powders from Powderbuythepound.com.

[sailorman1617]

Great. I have a Harbor Freight right around the corner :-)

Does that need to be baked? Not sure I could fit the rack in the oven, have to see if it would fit.

btw, read through your restoration tread, really, really nice work.

[jsandidge]

Thanks, I need to update that thread. I've done a lot more. Yes, you do need to bake it. Don't use an oven that will ever be used for food again though.

[sailorman1617]

Ooo, thanks for that oven tip. I don't think my wife would have appreciated me ruining the oven.

If I recall, you bake at 200 degrees for about 20 minutes or so? If so, I could probably build a box and heat it up with my heat gun, with a variable vent to control the temp?

[jsandidge]

The temp depends on the powder, but most of them are around 400 degrees. Some people use a toaster oven for small parts, but something tells me you'll need a full size oven for your rack. Look around your neighborhood, people throw them out all the time when a top burner goes out.