Author Topic: Restoring a Mongoose gold stem (Read 8622 times)

rad_pitt · « **on:** November 28, 2011, 02:24 PM »

Hey chaps,

Just looking for a bit of input - I have a gold stem, and it's in overall good nick. Just a few blemishes here and there. How would I go about cleaning it up without losing the gold effect? I'm assuming it's anno $:-\$

Other than that - the bolts are about knackered. Anyone know if replacement bolts/ stem bolt are available? Don't want to chrome them as it'll look naff..

Cheers in advance

meticulous · « **Reply #1 on:** November 28, 2011, 08:20 PM »

its not ano', you can only anodise ally, its a gold paint/laquar finish, exact replacement bolts are easily available from your local nut and bolt shop...

58 delray · « **Reply #2 on:** November 28, 2011, 08:28 PM »

like sam says its not anno and the bolts are available but make sure you get imperial bolt/nuts

rad_pitt · « **Reply #3 on:** November 28, 2011, 08:29 PM »

Cheers Sam - I just read this:

http://bmxmuseum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=228818&p=1

They seem to suggest it's brass plated? $:-\$

sawzall · « **Reply #4 on:** November 28, 2011, 08:32 PM »

the stems are brass plated,i had my one done by a plater in walthamstow

rad_pitt · « **Reply #5 on:** November 28, 2011, 08:33 PM »

Quote from: sawzall on November 28, 2011, 08:32 PM

the stems are brass plated,i had my one done by a plater in walthamstow

Cracking - cheers Phil. Don't suppose you have their details? What sort of cost am I looking at?

bobafett · « **Reply #6 on:** November 28, 2011, 10:23 PM »

mongoose were always changing the production of parts to suit manufacturing processes and cost.

The early (and majority) of gold stems were brass plated - later ones were gold painted with a clear lacquer finish

They even did a run of the bases painted in black

kungfunky · « **Reply #7 on:** November 28, 2011, 10:43 PM »

Black you say

rad_pitt · « **Reply #8 on:** November 28, 2011, 10:56 PM »

Looks ace in black Ash

kungfunky · « **Reply #9 on:** November 28, 2011, 11:01 PM »

Quote from: rad_pitt on November 28, 2011, 10:56 PM

Looks ace in black Ash

cheers pal, not a great pic as I was just trying it for size

looks much better now I've given it a little clean

rad_pitt · « **Reply #10 on:** November 28, 2011, 11:10 PM »

Yeah, it's not often you see them in black - but it works really well

looking forward to seeing that as it cones together

Mattdub · « **Reply #11 on:** November 28, 2011, 11:28 PM »

Had mine re-brass plated , tidied up the rest carefully and did'nt go too mad

On my Champion ..... http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php'topic=48655.0

rad_pitt · « **Reply #12 on:** November 29, 2011, 12:08 AM »

Quote from: Mattdub on November 28, 2011, 11:28 PM

Had mine re-brass plated , tidied up the rest carefully and did'nt go too mad

On my Champion ..... http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php'topic=48655.0

I was looking at that recently Matt - absolute show stopper mate

that's what BMX dreams are made of. Stunning

Like you, I want to keep the character of the stem, without making it look bling. Think a sympathetic resto of the bolts/ clamps will do, and a re-brass plate on the shaft

cheers for the link bud.

MartyC · « **Reply #13 on:** November 29, 2011, 01:55 PM »

Try Brasso on it, will bring it up a treat

rad_pitt · « **Reply #14 on:** November 29, 2011, 03:11 PM »

Quote from: MartyC on November 29, 2011, 01:55 PM

Try Brasso on it, will bring it up a treat

Cheers Marty - I'll give it a quick rub over, and see how it comes up

kalex · « **Reply #15 on:** August 24, 2016, 09:42 PM »

Obviously this is a bloody old thread but has anyone done this recently and what cost are we looking at.

Also where did you get it done would be helpful

kalex · « **Reply #16 on:** August 27, 2016, 03:38 PM »

No one $:-\$

MartyC · « **Reply #17 on:** August 30, 2016, 02:21 PM »

Mattdub had one done a few years ago, the thread popped up again recently but try sending him a PM if you can't find it

kalex · « **Reply #18 on:** August 30, 2016, 02:41 PM »

Quote from: MartyC on August 30, 2016, 02:21 PM

Mattdub had one done a few years ago, the thread popped up again recently but try sending him a PM if you can't find it

Yeah I think it was this thread as he's posted earlier in this but that was 2011.

MartyC · « **Reply #19 on:** August 30, 2016, 02:50 PM »

Quote from: kalex on August 30, 2016, 02:41 PM

Quote from: MartyC on August 30, 2016, 02:21 PM
Mattdub had one done a few years ago, the thread popped up again recently but try sending him a PM if you can't find it

Yeah I think it was this thread as he's posted earlier in this but that was 2011.

Basically he had the base of the stem re-plated in brass (can't recall the place but it looked good), cleaned up the alloy clamps and got new stem and clamp bolts.

kalex · « **Reply #20 on:** August 30, 2016, 03:18 PM »

Quote from: MartyC on August 30, 2016, 02:50 PM

Quote from: kalex on August 30, 2016, 02:41 PM
Quote from: MartyC on August 30, 2016, 02:21 PM
Mattdub had one done a few years ago, the thread popped up again recently but try sending him a PM if you can't find it

Yeah I think it was this thread as he's posted earlier in this but that was 2011.

Basically he had the base of the stem re-plated in brass (can't recall the place but it looked good), cleaned up the alloy clamps and got new stem and clamp bolts.

That's what I'm possibly after but would like to have seen any upto date places and prices.

I got quoted £100 from one place but without knowing what others have been charged (recently) I ain't a clue if this is expensive or not for this service

MartyC · « **Reply #21 on:** August 30, 2016, 03:42 PM »

http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,68340.msg696701/topicseen.html#msg696701

Search is your friend

Price and location is about halfway down the thread

kalex · « **Reply #22 on:** August 30, 2016, 04:14 PM »

Quote from: MartyC on August 30, 2016, 03:42 PM

http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,68340.msg696701/topicseen.html#msg696701

Search is your friend

Price and location is about halfway down the thread

£40 8 years ago

That's why I'm asking if anyone else has done this recently

MartyC · « **Reply #23 on:** August 30, 2016, 04:45 PM »

Quote from: kalex on August 30, 2016, 04:14 PM

Quote from: MartyC on August 30, 2016, 03:42 PM
http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,68340.msg696701/topicseen.html#msg696701

Search is your friend

Price and location is about halfway down the thread

£40 8 years ago

That's why I'm asking if anyone else has done this recently

Just give them a call, you've seen what it turned out like so you know what sort of a job they do. Or Google electro platers in your area... I'd call them for you but it's nearly midnight here in Perth and I'm going to bed in a minute...

kalex · « **Reply #24 on:** August 30, 2016, 05:54 PM »

Quote from: MartyC on August 30, 2016, 04:45 PM

Quote from: kalex on August 30, 2016, 04:14 PM
Quote from: MartyC on August 30, 2016, 03:42 PM
http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,68340.msg696701/topicseen.html#msg696701

Search is your friend

Price and location is about halfway down the thread

£40 8 years ago

That's why I'm asking if anyone else has done this recently

Just give them a call, you've seen what it turned out like so you know what sort of a job they do. Or Google electro platers in your area... I'd call them for you but it's nearly midnight here in Perth and I'm going to bed in a minute...

I've seen what job they did 8 years ago not recent work so that's the idea of asking now.

Others ask which chromer to use even though the telephone directory is full of them but members like to hear and see good feedback and recommendations from others that have used them in recent times.