49033

Black chrome post-wax recommendation  

June 15, 2008

An aluminum case I am designing to put into production will have a black chrome finish. Specifically, black chrome over pearl (matte) electroless nickel. I would like the final surface to have an even color and be relatively free of fingerprinting.

For the prototypes, I had specified a dry-to-the touch oil post-plating treatment, but found that the part had a oily feeling. I sent the prototypes back to the plater who then applied a wax.

I have found that when holding the part up to light, the surface has an uneven reflectivity and fingerprints rather badly.

As an experiment, I tried applying a carnauba automobile wax to the part to see if I could reduce the fingerprinting. The wax improved the feel of the part, but it still fingerprints and has uneven reflectivity.

I am looking for a recommendation of a specific wax or treatment that can be applied to the parts by the plater to make the parts reflect light more evenly and to make the parts more resistant to fingerprinting.

Thanks!

Konrad Howard
product designer - Bensenville, IL, USA