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Q&As since 1989


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Looking for rechroming services

Hello, I am looking for a job shop (in Germany, if possible) that would be willing to decoratively re-chrome only 2 pieces of rectangular brass panels measuring about 500 mm long, 150 mm wide and 20 mm thick. One of them was not chromed beforehand, but electrostatically painted, but it is already stripped. The surface is rough though, probably due to sand-blasting prior to painting. The other has been chromed but I would like it reworked. It has letterings engraved onto the surface which I hope will not be lost from the reworking. I understand that to achieve a high luster, mirror-like chrome surface, especially on a flat surface, the polishing process is extremely critical. Are there any job shops using electropolishing in conjunction with chroming to achieve really good effects? Or is that overkill, and that mechanical polishing will be good enough? The latter seems to have directional lines no matter how well it has been finished. I would appreciate your comments. Thanks. Kik

Kik Shian Jer
- Germany
1999

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Hello, Kik. I have seen stainless steel panels electropolished before hard chrome plating, but am not familiar with electropolishing of brass before decorative chrome plating. Electropolishing is a good process, but does not produce a more reflective surface than mechanical polishing. I would be very surprised if mechanical polishing plus a leveling nickel plating did not produce a brilliant reflective surface for chrome plating. Plating is quite thin and will not affect most lettering. Good luck.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
1999