A replacement for Chrome, you say?

[Drunken Monkey]

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/18/from-m-i-t-a-chromeless-response-to-chromes-drawbacks/?smid=tw-nytimeswheels&seid=auto

In a nutshell, it's a thin layer that'll keep aluminum permanently shiny. Obviously they are focusing on cars in the article, but it makes me wonder if it'll find it's way into the bike world...

Chrome look fairings anyone?

[thought]

i'd be more interested in seeing if this would stop the fading of color anodized al pieces.

[ducatiz]

i'd be more interested in seeing if this would stop the fading of color anodized al pieces.

probably not as it is for oxidation, not UV aging.

A uv tint could be added maybe.  the issue is that UV has to be blocked either chemically or with some sort of filter.

[Drunken Monkey]

They are talking about tri-calcium silicate hydrate as a coating, and that's supposed to do a good job blocking UV (they use it on some types of flooring as well)