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Can "black-chrome" be done to aluminum?

Hello, I'm working on building a BMX bike from the early 80's. The first time I saw "black-chrome" was on a BMX bike made of 4130 chromoly. The finish looked like a black mirror. My bike is made of 6061 T6 aluminum. Is it possible to "black-chrome" aluminum?
Thanks, Allen

Allen Nave
BMX bikes - Dayton Ohio
July 26, 2009

Hi, Allen. Aluminum requires a different pretreatment cycle than steel, and not every plating shop is set up to plate aluminum . . . but the answer is, sure, aluminum can be electroplated with any finish you like, including black chrome.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
(Ted can offer longterm or instant help)
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
August 3, 2009

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