How To Plate, Polish, and Chrome (Motorbooks Workshop) [Paperback]

Dennis W. Parks (Author), Roger Ward (Foreword)

Book Description

Series: Motorbooks Workshop | Publication Date: November 15, 2006

Whether you own a custom motorcycle or a flamed-out hot rod, beautifully finished metal parts are the finishing touch that transforms a nice machine into a million-dollar baby. Aluminum and steel can be polished, chromed, anodized, plated, and painted, and this book shows enthusiasts how to do it. The book includes what is required, what it will cost, when to use different processes and whether to have a professional do it or tackle the project at home. Author Dennis Parks answers every question completely and clearly, and offers step-by-step instructions for whatever is within the purview of home mechanics.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Whether you own a custom motorcycle or a flamed-out hot rod, beautifully finished metal parts are the finishing touch that transforms a nice machine into a million-dollar baby. Aluminum and steel can be polished, chromed, anodized, plated, and painted, and this book shows you how to do each.

 

How to Plate, Polish and Chrome covers necessary materials, what it will cost, when to use different processes, and whether to have a professional do it or to tackle the project at home. Author Dennis Parks covers all the bases and offers step-by-step instructions for the home hobbyist.

About the Author

Dennis W. Parks has nearly 200 published car features in Hot Rod, Truckin’, Rodder’s Digest, Street Rod Action, Australia’s Supercar, Custom Rodder, Rod & Custom, Super Chevy, Custom Classic Trucks, and American Rodder magazines.

 

Parks’ book credits include How To Build a Hot Rod Model A Ford (2001), How To Build a Hot Rod (2003), American Hot Rod: How To Build a Hot Rod with Boyd Coddington (2005), and How To Restore and Customize Auto Upholstery & Interiors (2005).

 

Parks has a vast knowledge regarding modification. His experience includes working as the general manager of Morfab Customs, a full-service hot rod shop. He lives in suburban St. Louis, Missouri.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Motorbooks; 1st edition (November 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076032672X
• ISBN-13: 978-0760326725
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #863,377 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fair book, misleading title, January 10, 2008

By 

Gill Paszek (Santa Maria, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How To Plate, Polish, and Chrome (Motorbooks Workshop) (Paperback)

Half of what's wrong with this book could be fixed by retitling it "An Overview of Painting, Polishing, and Plating." It spends 75 of 132 pages talking about painting, which is fine if that's what you want to know. There are other books dedicated entirely to auto painting that go into more detail.
The author spends the first chapter discussing the aesthetics of motorcycles and hotrods - what makes them look good and what artistic choices can make them look bad. This is great; too many "how to" books discuss techniques without exploring when it is appropriate to use them.
The polishing section has some good charts and information on when to use different wheels and compounds, but didn't even mention using "set up" wheels, with abrasive glued to the cloth wheels, for coarse cutting.
The plating section really doesn't give enough information for you to start plating in your shop. It does give information on a couple suppliers of plating kits to get you started. I got the distinct impression that the publisher's lawyers read the manuscript, gasped, and deleted specific references to acids and chemicals in order to avoid potential lawsuits. As a result, the book tells how plating is done, but not how to do it yourself.
Bottom line - the author tried to cover too many subjects in one book and ended up with an overview rather than specific detailed instructions.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Information, December 22, 2007

By 

Glenn M. Mcclain - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: How To Plate, Polish, and Chrome (Motorbooks Workshop) (Paperback)

This book has some good information for those who wish to add a little extra shine to the bling on their bike. It could have been more in depth but it is helpful and nicely presented. Plenty of photos and illustrations let you easily grasp the concepts presented here.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars How To Plate, Polish, and Chrome, October 3, 2007

By 

Eric Toler "Book Reader-STL" (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How To Plate, Polish, and Chrome (Motorbooks Workshop) (Paperback)

My main reason for acquiring the book was to learn how to polish my frame on my motorcycle. The book, however helpful, spent a great deal of the print dealing with painting. It was helpful to me in getting some the equipment for polishing but it it should have went more in depth and since it's title is "How To Plate, Polish, and Chrome" it should have a more step-by-step approach to polishing, plating and chroming.