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Avoiding "bluing" discoloration of chrome motorcycle exhaust pipes

The chrome plating on motorcycle exhaust systems discolors to a dark blue in almost all cases. This is assumed to be due to the heat effects and oxidation. It has been expressed in some circles that the bluing is due mainly to the copper underplate and should be eliminated if the copper was not used and the nickel was applied directly to the steel. What do the experts think?

Bob Denney
avionics - Tampa, Florida

September 4, 2009

Dear all,

We have a motor bike modifying unit. Most of our customers object to silencer and exhaust pipe bluing (those were Ni/Cr plated). After running over a 1000 km, plated silencer colour changed to dark blue.
We want to know how to avoid it. Is there any specific process design for above-said parts while plating. Please help us.

M. Ravi shanker
product designer - Chennai, Tamilnadu, India

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