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Q&As since 1989


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Starting a Chrome Shop

Hey all,

I am opening a Motorcycle shop in the up coming months. We plan on doing some chrome plating of motorcycle parts. Frames, swing arms, Pegs and so on. We cannot afford spending 10 grand on large tanks and high voltage systems. There's a method I though might work since 90% of the things we will plate is aluminum from what I hear its the hardest metal to plate. I was thinking of a Zincate bath Then Electro brush applying Nickel. Then electro Brush applying the chrome would this system work?. This would cost me about 1500 bucks for the supplies 8 gallons of brush nickel plating 8 gallons of chrome brush plating 20 gallons of zincate dipping and the brushes. We also are starting anodizing and powder coating. Pretty slim pickings up here in CT for these services.

Stephen Fazekas
Opening a Motorcycle shop - Guilford, Connecticut, USA
2004

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I believe that there is small chance of successful decorative chroming of large items with a brush plating kit, Stephen. And what is your budget for waste water treatment, sludge hauling, and medical monitoring? Your budget being what it is, you need to think about farming out the plating.

There may be slim pickings in plating, anodizing, and powder coating shops in Connecticut. But there are plenty of abandoned shops in the area, and you might want to try to find out why :-)

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2003

brush plate chrome? I didn't know this was possible.. even on small items , any more info please I would like to give this a try .. thanking you garry

garry williams
hobbyist - manchester england
2004

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Good point, Garry. As far as I know it isn't possible (or at least it isn't done).

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2004

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2005

Hi Stephen,
Ted is right on the money: farm out the chrome work. It's not as easy as people think. Your budget is tight but I didn't even see mention in your plans for polishing equipment, abrasives and other metal finising equipment. All good chrome work starts with the preparation, waaaaaay before you even need to think about zincate, nickel and chrome. Anodizing requires less prep work and so does powdercoating. You might try either of those first. My last suggestion would be: pick one thing to focus on and get really good at that one thing.
Good luck to you,

Brenda Coleman
The Chrome Shop - Madisonville, Louisiana