Letter 29020

WHAT IT TAKES TO OPEN A SMALL CHROME PLATING SHOP [Kentucky] 

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DEAR SIRS,

EXCELLENT WEBSITE AND I AM GOING TO TAKE YOUR ADVICE AND GET SOME OF THE BOOKS ON PLATING AND PROBABLY TAKE A COURSE. I AM A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER WHO JUST SOLD A AUTOMOTIVE RELATED BUSINESS. I AM LOOKING INTO A NEW BUSINESS TO INVEST IN. THERE IS A BIG DEMAND FOR CHROMING OF AUTO PARTS IN OUR AREA. NOW I KNOW YOU SAY TO STUDY BEFORE BUT I AM JUST WONDERING WHAT KIND OF MONEY AND WHAT KIND OF EQUIPEMENT WHAT IT TAKE TO START A SMALL CHROME PLATING SHOP. I WOULD BE RECHROMING/CHROMING SMALL AUTO/MOTORCYCLE PARTS. NOTHING REAL BIG TO START OFF. LATER IT WOULD BE NICE TO BE ABLE TO CHROME/RECHROME WHEELS. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

THANKS AGAIN,

DALE JACKSON
PLATING SHOP - LOUISVILLE, KY, USA

For decorative chrome plt you need a bright nickel first, so you'll need the following, (the size of tanks should be around 10-15 cm larger than parts from all sides), (power you req dc for stipping an nickel plt and chrome plt and you can use one for all)

1-cleaning tanks
2-old chrome, nickel, and may be copper stripping tanks
3-water rinsing tanks and if you water quality is not good you may need a water deionizer
4-acid activation
5-copper, nickel,and chrome plating tanks
6-you'll need exraction system, filtration, and effluent treatment plant

Good luck

Cair Shishani
aircraft maintenance - Abu Dhabi, UAE

For small parts the spray chrome process is as good as anything. You are not faced with the regulation you are with hot dip chrome and the set-up cost can be considerably less than traditional hot dip. There are two manufacturers of chemicals used in spray chrome, one is excellent, the other a nightmare. There are a number of things that are critical in the spray process. Purity of water, purity of air, cleanlyness of enviroment and temperature control. Once you understand each step and have the proper set up you can produce chrome pieces that cannot be distinguished from traditional hot dip when put side by side. The advantages of spray are the ability to chrome virtually any material, including wood and plastics,the fact it will not crack or peel and the ability to add color. You can have red chrome, blue chrome or virtually any color you choose including black chrome. The only disadvantage is in applications where the piece will subjected to heat in excess of 250 degrees F. Discoloring will occur. There are some nightmare stories out there, however the operators that set up properly and learned the process are cranking out great looking product and making a lot of money. Ourselves included.

Pete Peterson
- Houston, TX

Actually Mr. Peterson means "electroplated chrome" when he says "hot dip chrome". There is no such thing as hot dip chrome.

 
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com Inc. - Brick, NJ

I want to answer or follow-up on this subject publicly (in non-commercial fashion).

 

My company is a supporting advertiser at finishing.com and we want the contact information to reach the inquirer privately.

 

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