Roll Bar Chrome Flaking/Chipping During Installation

[Valkster]

Hi. During the test fittings of our chrome roll bars, we have seen chrome flaking/chipping off during assembly. The last time, today, while hopefully doing the last fitting before final assembly, a large chunk of chrome came off. The issue is mainly on the end of the third leg (the diagonal brace) where it mates with the hoop. I didn't use hammers or bounce the piece off the floor or anything like that. The chrome simply popped off as I mated the two pieces together by hand. I've worked with (removed, cleaned, stored, reassembled) several chrome parts on a few car restorations I have done in the past and have never seen anything like this. It looks like a very poor prep job during chroming. What, if anything, should I have done differently? What are my options at this point to make it less noticeable? We received the kit just over 2-years ago, so I don't think going back to FFR is an option, or is it? I thought about using silver touch-up paint to protect the areas missing chrome and using a product like chrome tape to hide the issue (and the seam). Thoughts anyone?

Sincerely,
Mark
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[Jeff Kleiner]

Have you drilled the other end yet? If not flip it over.

Jeff

[Valkster]

Hi, Jeff...been reading a lot of your posts over the past few years. Thanks for replying and for all of your insight we learned during our build. Unfortunately, the other end is chipped, too. Just test fitting the lower end to receiver on the frame caused it to flake off. Now, at the moment the lower end is in better shape than the pic showing the largest flaked chrome. If I am able to flip it without doing any more damage, then it would be better but still have some repair and hiding to do. Is this normal? We have two roll bars, and both have some damage on each end of the diagonal. The hoops have damage on their ends, too, but thankfully is hidden out of sight.

Mark

[Valkster]

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[Ducky2009]

Call FF. It's worth it to try. The chrome shouldn't be peeling off.

[F500guy]

I have had some small issues with small flaking, especially at the drill side for that third leg and the edge as well. Was hoping it does not get worse, not a show car build but thought I could put some shiny paint touch up if it gets to noticeable, my main concern is worsen over time with corrosion. I chalk this one up to "ask me after the first year of driving" , then will see if it really bugs me.

[BrewCityCobra]

Hi. During the test fittings of our chrome roll bars, we have seen chrome flaking/chipping off during assembly. The last time, today, while hopefully doing the last fitting before final assembly, a large chunk of chrome came off. The issue is mainly on the end of the third leg (the diagonal brace) where it mates with the hoop. I didn't use hammers or bounce the piece off the floor or anything like that. The chrome simply popped off as I mated the two pieces together by hand. I've worked with (removed, cleaned, stored, reassembled) several chrome parts on a few car restorations I have done in the past and have never seen anything like this. It looks like a very poor prep job during chroming. What, if anything, should I have done differently? What are my options at this point to make it less noticeable? We received the kit just over 2-years ago, so I don't think going back to FFR is an option, or is it? I thought about using silver touch-up paint to protect the areas missing chrome and using a product like chrome tape to hide the issue (and the seam). Thoughts anyone?

Sincerely,
Mark
20250201_202546.jpg20250201_202551.jpg

I am having the same issue with the straight legs of my roll bars. Curious to see what answers come up. fortunately all of my chipped ends are on the hidden sides, but my next two drilling points are visible and I'm a bit nervous they are going to chip and look like crap.

[Sharris2]

I had a similar issue with the chrome (see below) contacted FFR because my kit was ordered two years prior and they had been installed, they wouldn't do anything about it. So I bit the bullet had them rechromed locally $900 for both there so much better!
Chrome Roll Bars
by Sharris2 on 09-14-2024 at 08:08 AM0 Comments
Kit ordered November 2019; picked up kit August 2022 and completed August 2024.
When I installed both chrome roll bars I noticed that the chrome finishes on both bars dull in spots, like there's not enough chrome on the steel; one even has a chip off the weld and is rusting. Just wondering if others had the same issues?
Cars been on the road now Just over two weeks and love it!:

Thanks

Scott from Toronto canada

[Sharris2]

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I had a similar issue with the chrome (see below) contacted FFR because my kit was ordered two years prior and they had been installed, they wouldn't do anything about it. So I bit the bullet had them rechromed locally $900 for both there so much better!
Chrome Roll Bars
by Sharris2 on 09-14-2024 at 08:08 AM0 Comments
Kit ordered November 2019; picked up kit August 2022 and completed August 2024.
When I installed both chrome roll bars I noticed that the chrome finishes on both bars dull in spots, like there's not enough chrome on the steel; one even has a chip off the weld and is rusting. Just wondering if others had the same issues?
Cars been on the road now Just over two weeks and love it!:

Thanks

Scott from Toronto canada

[Railroad]

I had my 2 bars rechromed. Both had black specks and pores in the finish.
Dallas Ga, Dallas Chrome, I think. $900 both bars, excellent job.

[Valkster]

Thanks for the feedback. Long term I will definitely need to get them rechromed or replaced. Sad for a "new" item that has been sitting in wait for installation for a few years. I have been very happy with most all of the car kit overall, but I wouldn't recommend the upgraded chrome roll bars for sure at this point. For now, I will try some touch up paint for protection and use some "chrome" body wrap I found online to hide the flaking and hopefully make the seam less obvious. I got enough "chrome" wrap to make a few tape-sized pieces for the roll bars and cut a few spats for the rear fenders with a vinyl cutter.


Sincerely,
Mark

[Jeff_J.]

I'm dealing with this as well. I was going to take them to a powder coater to see if they could seal the ends, hopefully prevent further chipping. They tell me they have a chrome - like powder, and can apply powder over chrome... I figure to have a closer look at it in the spring.

[ggunter]

I too had the diagonal bar just flake the chrome off. But like Jeff suggested I turn it over and then drilled. This poor chroming seems to have been going on for a while. I noticed on mine there is no Copper plating on the steel. Suggests the cheap way out and poor adhesion.

[BrewCityCobra]

Well these answers are the last thing I wanted to hear. Really wish I knew this ahead of time as I could have ordered uncoated bars and got them chromed myself. Paying FFR for crappy chrome, only to now have to go pay somebody else to re-do it is a bit frustrating. Especially given that chrome (FFR or third party) isn't cheap.

Hopefully I get lucky and everything doesn't fall apart when I drill those last mounting holes.

[rich grsc]

Chrome don't get you home.... strip it off and paint, powder coat or cerakote it. Don't want any chrome on my car.

[Derald Rice]

Crappy chrome was a thing when I built my roadster in 2002.

Some things do not change.