Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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What is the best way to achieve a "Scotch-Bite" finish?

During the process of building a custom motorcycle like to achieve a consistent dull matte finish on the metal parts, and was hoping for some industry insight. Is this process nothing more than using a synthetic buffing disk if so how do you keep the metal surface from oxidizing? Or is the use of a chemical treatment the best way to achieve a consistent finish?

John Luce

2006

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Hey John,
We do this kind of work all the time. We run a standard copper, nickel, chrome cycle on zinc diecastings. For the finish you are talking about (generally used on parts that do not pass cosmetic standards on bright chrome) we strip the chrome and use a buffing machine with a scothbrite wheel to apply the scratch lines to the nickel plate, clean, reactivate (takes some practice...and a little bit of luck sometimes)and then rechrome. Resulting finish is as corrosion resistant as the original (lot of salt spray work confirms that). Be careful though, the process involves acids, caustic, chrome and definitely generates hazardous waste. Don't go into it blind. It is costly.

Good Luck

Trent Kaufman
electroplater - Galva, Illinois
2006