Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Buffing Chrome or E-Nickel plated Gun Bodies

Our customer has asked us if we are interested in buffing their chrome or e-nickel plated paint guns. We are looking for suggestions on the best process to use for this type of application.

Ken Tharp
- St. Louis, Missouri, USA
2003

Start out with the understanding that buffing is the dirtiest, nastiest and most boring job in plating. The grit blast cabinet holds that position in shops that do not buff. Expect a turnover of employees when the backlog is the greatest. Other than that it is the right equipment and practice.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2003

I would seriously advise against polishing another company's plating. If their quality was good enough it would be no hassle to do it as it came off the chrome line. What's going to happen is that you will buff through the thin chrome layer without realizing it and when they get their guns back with patches of nickel showing through you won't get paid, and the food fight will begin. Trust me! I'm a shooter, a polisher and a plater.

Mark Hunter
- Newcastle, Australia
2003

Mark, damn good and straight up advise.

Jon Quirt
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
2003