Tweed Chassis RE: Chrome, Screen-Print & Clear Coat

[ViperDoc]

I've got a 5F8A HP Tweed Twin chassis in the on-deck for an upcoming build. Testing component sizes and planned mods, I could really use an extra inch of width on that chassis box. (TWSS) Anyway, this chassis is the normal chrome-plated steel with screen-printed graphics that I assume must be more durable than your average ink. It does not appear to be clear coated. Or is it?

What's the best route for a custom tweed-style chassis? My thoughts are these:

1) Order a custom steel chassis
2) Have the chassis chrome plated, nearest auto body or bike shop
3) Screen print the graphics
4a) Triple clear coat?
4b) or Clear powder coat?
4c) or no clear?

OR

Do a faceplate and forget the white-on-chrome look?

[xtian]

Get a laser cut mirrored faceplate and aluminum chassis to your spec. Can’t imagine what chrome playing would cost.

[ChopSauce]

Dedicated coating companies can do the chrome coating for you, as they would do for car or motorcycle shops. You can ask these latters for a good coating company, though.

Screen printing is done with ink - I guess - and you usually don't clearcoat on chrome. The chrome is likely to loose its shine, plus I'm not sure the paint adheres to the shiny surface.

Maybe coating companies will suggest alternatives, such as engraving the markings and inking them after the chroming?

[ViperDoc]

Looking closer, the lettering on these reproduction chassis could be laser engraved, too, I'm not sure. Who engraves mirrored faceplates? That sounds much easier!

[FUCHSAUDIO]

Chrome has become brutally expensive. It's also toxic (it contains chromium, which is on the RoHs toxic list of bad metals). This is why many new Fender models with formerly chromed chassis are now made with a black finish and silk screen.

There are reproduction tweed amp chassis still made (I think Weber and Mojo may sell them), but you may be better served by simply getting a panel made and buying a plain steel chassis. There's a guy on Ebay I use https://www.ebay.com/usr/zachmdhunter. He makes most common blackface, silverface and tweed style chassis that are high quality and unlabeled.

[xtian]

Looking closer, the lettering on these reproduction chassis could be laser engraved, too, I'm not sure. Who engraves mirrored faceplates? That sounds much easier!

I use indcom.graphics -- give them a call to ask about materials.

[martin manning]

Some very chrome-like powder coat is available now. I would think putting that on an aluminum chassis would be a good option.

[ViperDoc]

Chrome has become brutally expensive. It's also toxic (it contains chromium, which is on the RoHs toxic list of bad metals). This is why many new Fender models with formerly chromed chassis are now made with a black finish and silk screen.

There are reproduction tweed amp chassis still made (I think Weber and Mojo may sell them), but you may be better served by simply getting a panel made and buying a plain steel chassis. There's a guy on Ebay I use https://www.ebay.com/usr/zachmdhunter. He makes most common blackface, silverface and tweed style chassis that are high quality and unlabeled.

Hey, thank you for the advice, sir. I still have my custom ODS II in the quiver, that amp rocks! Cheers.

[ViperDoc]

Some very chrome-like powder coat is available now. I would think putting that on an aluminum chassis would be a good option.

I’ll check that out, thanks Martin.

[ViperDoc]

I got a chrome dip quote for a 5F8A chassis. The closest outfit to me is in a neighboring state. Should cost only $350 to get that chrome plating done.

I also learned that although there is a chrome powder coat color available, it tends to look better on round, multi-contoured parts. It does not excel on flat surfaces, and has the appearance of brushed aluminum, not chrome. Could be the operator, but that's what I got from another shop.

I think I'm going to suck it up and make that vintage chassis work for me.