Manky Monkey Motors

Taken from the latest FBHVC news letter ..................


"You will recall a couple of issues ago we alerted you to
the issues surrounding European Regulation No 1907/2006
(known as REACH) and its application especially to chromium.
It is clear that the formal situation remains as before. A
number of chromium substances are on the ‘candidate list’
and their use will be banned in 2017 unless exemptions are
sought. It has been authoritatively claimed this would result
in chromium plating being banned. Concern regarding
chromium is widespread in industry and our interests are only
a very small part of the problem.
On 16 October I attended an MEPs’ breakfast meeting in
Brussels at which a representative of the VDA (the German
motor manufacturers’ trade association) made a pitch
for an amendment to the Regulation to exempt banned
substances under the REACH Regulation from use in spare
parts to be incorporated into ‘cherished vehicles’ made
before prohibition dates come into force. This is of course
a proposal from large manufacturers and I am not sure this
would be sufficient as many of the components which our
current suppliers are plating are original components, not
reproduction spares.
The issue of course is that the Regulation, which was quite
properly introduced to control the use of chemical substances
injurious both to those who work with them and to their
users, is in force and generally works.
But as the legislation is applied to a gradually widening
number of substances, in respect of which the hazards are
less immediate and serious than the first wave of really
dangerous chemicals, unforeseen effects, such as the effect
on our interests, are becoming of more and more concern.
We will be working, both on our own account in the UK,
with DEFRA and motor industry bodies, and through FIVA
in Europe, to try to head this issue off before it becomes too
serious. We will keep you informed."

That's a new one to me!

I recently has some parts chromed by a local guy, who was telling me about this. He said that there are substitute chemicals available, the problem is the plating comes out a more greyish colour than the bright chrome you now get. He has stocked up on the good stuff and recons his supply will outlast him ;)

we have lost our plating works because of "green fields" getting polluted around us, it was there when I was an apprentice 45 years ago, Bit late for that I think. More do gooders doing harm. Plus we have now lost our galvanisers from the south west corner as well.

It will not bother me i am allergic to chrome  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

So was the Harley  >:( I now realise that American chrome, can corrode faster than steel.
Not sure how far they intend to take this 'hazardous materials' malarkey. They are trying to ban certain materials from industrial use and at the same time, trying to force the use of a known dangerous material, Mercury in the home in the form of low energy bulbs.
Perhaps, because they are not made in Europe, it's deemed as being acceptable. May have to get all chroming done in the PRoC or India.

hmm, quality control would be an issue !

Really !  I am so shocked  :o ;D ;D ;D

Nickel plating is virtually the same, and I have a nickel plating kit and no large objects that will need doing.

As piston rods on virtually all hydraulic cylinders are chrome plated it will
be interesting to see that industries response. ???