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Q&As since 1989
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Voltage and sulphate requirements
2006
How much voltage do I need, and how much chrome sulphate (with water solution) is required to chrome plate car door handles bumpers?
John (patron at our library) is restoring 1959 Edsel and wants to chrome up the parts that were chromed on the original car. He knows the basics of plating but not exactly the details on the voltage or the mixture.
If there is a chart or table or other data assembly, rather than a one-person answer, that would be fine, please reply to the following email address and tell me website or book or technical question from a past FAQ so I can get this together for him.
I know that you try to keep technical and commercial questions separate, but he does want to know where to get chrome sulphate and copper sulphate [on
eBay or
Amazon]so if the answer is elsewhere on your site or in Thomas register, etc., just direct me and I will get to it.
DAVID VAPRIN
Librarian
Shelby Branch Library -- Indianapolis IN
Thank you for all your help and for operating a wonderful web site.
librarian helping a car restoration project - Indianapolis, Indiana
First of two simultaneous responses --
I applaud the fact that patrons are still visiting libraries and there are librarians to help them. We have some supporting advertisers who serve the very low volume market, like Gold Touch [a finishing.com supporting advertiser], but you can't plate chrome with chrome sulphate.
To apply chrome you need chromic acid (hexavalent chrome of Erin Brockovich
[affil link to Amazon] fame) which has to be managed in an industrial setting. If you can, get your patron a copy of the Metal Finishing Guidebook
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2006
Second of two simultaneous responses -- 2006
Sorry, if he does not know those simple answers, he does not know the basics of plating. He is doomed to failure unless he is unreal blind dumb lucky.
You can not buy chrome sulphate. You buy chromic acid and sulfuric acid and use them at a particular ratio, at a particular temperature and at a given amperage per sq ft, depending on the anode spacing.
Tell him that the EPA fine for dumping the solution starts at $500 per offense and is typically $5,000. So, He needs to find a legal disposal method. PS, he can not legally dispose of it with out a haz waste generator's permit.
He will be a lot of money and frustration ahead if he just pays the price and sends it to a reputable car restoration plater.
- Navarre, Florida
Chrome plating is dangerous process(for you and for environment),try to find nearest plating shop.
Good luck!
Goran Budija- Cerovski vrh Croatia
2006
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