No registration or passwords; no pop-up ads -- just aloha, fun, & answers.
(as an eBay Partner & Amazon Affiliate earns from qualifying purchases).
Home /
T.O.C.
Fun
FAQs
Good
Books
Ref.
Libr.
Advertise
 
Help
Wanted
Current
Q&A's
Site 🔍
Search
pub  Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989



-----

Polishing a rhodium plated searchlight mirror




I have a WWII antiaircraft searchlight that has a rhodium plated mirror. What is the best way to polish this mirror?

Thank You,

Jule Elliott Elkin
Searchlight Ad Ventures - Lexington, South Carolina
2003



Hi Jule,
there is no such thing as polishing rhodium in the conventional sense. Rhodium is extremely hard and durable. Even with high speed polishing equipment using specialty compounds used for platinum group metals, rhodium is not affected much by polishing.

The best you can do is remove the rhodium mechanically, repolish the base metal, nickel plate and replate the surface over with rhodium. Obviously this will not be easy or cheap to do because of its size and the inherent technical difficulties. WW2 search lights used a rhodium process designed specifically for searchlights and many were scrapped during manufacturing because electroplating something that large even with custom anodes still yielded poor results.

Bear in mind money was no object when they were originally made! Your best bet would be to brush plate (selective plating)the new rhodium plating onto the refurbished surface area. There are a few aerospace platers who might be able to help.

Good luck, Dave

David Vinson
Metal Arts Specialties - Leonard, Michigan
2003




(No "dead threads" here! If this page isn't currently on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will restore it)

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread

Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories:

 
Jobshops
Capital
Equipment
Chemicals &
Consumables
Consult'g, Train'g
& Software


About/Contact  -  Privacy Policy  -  ©1995-2024 finishing.com, Pine Beach, New Jersey, USA  -  about "affil links"