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Non Magnetic Chrome Plating

Hi, I have a problem with a Chrome Plated platter used on a hi-fi turntable. The platter seems to attract a magnet which is a major problem for cartridges which can be easily damaged. The manufacturer says that because of the Nickel layer under the Chrome it will always be magnetic. Can Chrome Plating be done leaving no magnetic residue?

Gordon McGlade
Buyer - Malaga, Malaga, Spain
2007

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It is probably possible to deposit chromium onto a non-magnetic electroless nickel base, although it will not be quite as shiny. Another possibility is to use a white bronze plating instead of nickel, and a third would be to use a chrome-look paint. Why is the platter chrome plated?

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2007

The platter is chrome plated for its ergonomic looks. The rest of the turntable is chrome plated but is virtually non-magnetic. Only the platter is magnetic. The manufacturer says the Nickel layer is necessary to give the Chrome plate a high polish finish but can this be done without Nickel or if Nickel is necessary is there specification for the thickness of the layer?

Gordon McGlade
- Malaga, Malaga, Spain
2007

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Nickel is a great self-leveling finish and is what adds the reflectivity. So, leave out the nickel and you'll have problems with lack of brightness and reflectivity. The way around that is to either use a chrome-look paint instead of nickel-chrome plating, or to use white bronze plating (a tin-copper-zinc alloy) in place of the nickel. But you may possibly find it necessary to copper plate and buff before the white bronze because it will not be as self-leveling as the nickel. I think trying to minimize the nickel layer is a dead end that won't solve the magnetism problem.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2007