Summary for hard chrome plating Discussion
Hard chrome plating electropolish finishes are discussed in the context of getting a difficult surface to plate properly. James Watts says HEEF-25 can be fussy, though not as troublesome as HEEF-40, and asks what the base metal is and how it is being activated. His main advice is that better activation may solve the problem; if it does not, a nickel strike may be needed. He also suggests checking with the manufacturer for guidance on the specific issue. A second answer from A. Brief offers a simpler approach: use a brief 15-second reverse current, then plate as usual. The thread does not give a single universal fix, but it points to activation, possible nickel striking, and a short reverse-current step as the practical remedies.
adv.
Q. Anybody have suggestions on plating (hard chrome) bright electropolish finishes? Our tank plates extremely well…except bright electropolish finishes. We use Atotech HEEF-25 bath.
Thank you,
Darren Wallace
2006
 | A. HEEF-25 can be fussy, but not as bad as HEEF-40. James Watts A. Brief, 15 second reverse current, then plate as usual.
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Q. We are plating mainly 17-4 stainless. We activate with an Atotech HEEF electrocleaner…we’ve even tried reversing in the tank. Finish just seems to always come out with a milk color haze….we have to hand finish to get back to bright finish.
thanks,
D
Darren Wallace [returning]
2006
A. I have the same process we use a basic stainless steel activator with very low concentrations. This should do the trick.
William Sklavenitis
adv.