Steps to Chrome Plating

Chrome, or chromium, is a metallic element that is popularly used as a plating finish because it gives a highly smooth, lustrous surface. The chrome is applied using an electroplating process. The most common usage is decorative chrome plating, whereby a very thin layer of chrome is bonded to an object. Chrome plating is best used on solid metal objects. It can be done at home, but the process requires lots of equipment; it's best to leave it up to the experts.

  1. Stripping

    • Strip your item of all existing surface treatments to expose the bare base metal. This can likely be easily performed at home before sending your item to a professional, saving you money. Assess the surface. If your item has an existing metal coating, this will be removed at the finishing workshop using a series of sanding and grinding techniques. If it is painted, leave the object to soak in a bucket of paint thinners overnight. In the morning, use a wire brush to remove the paint. If it won't budge, you may have to repeat the process again. If your item is rusty, use some rust cleaner and a wire brush to eliminate all traces of rust. Finally, give the item a good clean with some detergent and a cloth.

    Surface Preparation

    • When your item arrives at the finishing workshop, it will be cleaned further using a combination of detergents and acid, for a superior clean. Any grime or impurities left on the surface before plating can prevent the chrome from adhering adequately or cause corrosion later on. The surface is then given a nickel coating to level out any surface irregularities, similar to a primer coat used before painting. This metal coating is then heavily buffed to create the smoothest surface possible.

    Plating

    • During the chrome electroplating process, the object is submerged in a tank of chrome acid solution. An electrical charge is passed though the solution, which bonds the chrome molecules to the object. When the item is sufficiently coated, it is removed from the tank and buffed to create a mirror-like finish.