I just got my new Ron Wood Racing bare exhaust. I can either get it chromed or nickel plated... anybody know which is best?

 

I've been told that nickle will resistest blueing the best, the cheap chrome on my CT turned BLACK at the head pipes

 

I did a little more research on the internet this morning, and it appears that Nickel is much more durable than Chrome. Also, Nickel does not blue (as you stated above) nearly as much as chrome or polished aluminum. A lot of two-stroke pipes are nickel plated.

It turns out, some of the best debate is here at ATV Connections.

 

Another alternative is ceramic coating. they have many colors, besides silver, you can polish it very easily, and it has some performance gains (well at least it has some temprature shedding qualities). Its not quite as shiny as chrome, but won't rust or flake.

 

I've had the ceramic coating, and I dont like the dull look. Plus, I have noticed that if any water kicks up on a hot header pipe, the ceramic coating is ruined. Over time, I have also noticed that the ceramic coating burns off on the headers. I understand the performance needs for ceramic, but it appears that a good Nickel plating also sheds heat very well. I also have noticed that ceramic coating does not stand up to polishing. The more you polish it, the more the ceramic quality wears down, exposing the bare steel underneath - then rust can set in.