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-----Reactivating chrome plated parts
How do we reactivate Hard chrome plated parts? We have a plated mold part that is hard chrome plated, but we need to add some more hard chrome on it. Is there a way to reactivate hard chrome plated object or is stripping the chrome and restarting the only way?
Vero [surname deleted for privacy by Editor]- FLORIDA
1999
Most jobbers here opt to lightly buff the older hard chrome lightly as to provide a rough surface on which the additional coating you wish to deposit will adhere better. Careful cleaning follows and the component is the subject to reverse current for a few minutes in the same plating tank for activation followed by plating. This is not the proper way to go about but there is no harm in reverse plating once in a while in your same plating tank. You can also try cathodic activation in 20% sulfuric acid for a minute before replating.
Khozem Vahaanwala
Saify Ind
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
1999
Hi Vero.
Before you plating chromium on chromium the part must be cleaned with pumice ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] or alkali. Reversed etching in chromium. No current is applied until the part reaches bath temperature. The part is then reverse etched for three minutes at one asi. Plate chromium start, with a low current 0,3 asi for the first five minutes after the plating cycle begins. The second cycle is a doubled to 0,6 asi for another five minutes. Current is then raised slowly to the calculated plating amperage.
Regards,
Anders Sundman
4th Generation Surface Engineering
Consultant - Arvika,
Sweden
1999
2000
DEAR VERO:
IF YOU ARE USING A FLUORIDE CHROMIUM SOLUTION AND THE ANODE DESIGN ASSURES FULL COVERAGE, A CLEANING (MECHANICAL WITH ABRASIVES OR ELECTROCHEMICAL FORWARD) AND A NORMAL REVERSE OF 5 SECONDS AT UNUSUALLY HIGH AMPERAGE (15-20 AMP/SQ.IN.)WILL ACTIVATE CHROMIUM FOR FURTHER DEPOSITION.
IF YOUR CHEMISTRY IS CONVENTIONAL AND IF, AS USUAL, THE MOLD IS A SINGLE EXPENSIVE JOB, I WILL NOT DOUBT TO STRIP IT AND RECHROME.
G.MARRUFO
Guillermo MarrufoMonterrey, NL, Mexico
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