chrome at home
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 0
From: charlotte nc
chrome at home
I was thinking about buying a do it yourself chrome plating kit to do the small pieces on my fairlane restoration. Anyone tried it and advice would be appreciated,
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Hi I'm restoring a fairlane as well (62/63) and also need a lot of the chrome doing, I'd never heard of a diy kit, where can you get them from and how much is it? sounds quite good but I'll see what people say about them. rick
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,628
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, Canada
Interesting. So you're looking at something like this?: http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/triple.htm
When it comes down to it, there is nothing to the dipping portion of the chrome restoration process; 85% of the work is done in the prep and polishing process. YOu can take an old hunk of metal and chrome it and it will look like an old hunk of metal, with chrome on it. If it's not smooth as a baby's butt when it goes into the tank, it ain't going ot look good.
When it comes down to it, there is nothing to the dipping portion of the chrome restoration process; 85% of the work is done in the prep and polishing process. YOu can take an old hunk of metal and chrome it and it will look like an old hunk of metal, with chrome on it. If it's not smooth as a baby's butt when it goes into the tank, it ain't going ot look good.
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 0
From: charlotte nc
I dont plan on doin it sloppy. Same thing goes for baking cakes, If you just throw a few eggs and sugar into a shoe box and then pop it into the oven dont exspect no french pastry,,,,,,,,LOL
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,628
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, Canada
I realize I could have worded that better but what I was trying to say is that you'll have to be more adept at polishing metal than anything else. Those kits look pretty good, as long as you follow the instructions and keep the solution temperatures in spec, make sure everything is clean and don't cross-contaminate your solutions, it should work fine.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 0
From: charlotte nc
home chrome
Fur. No you told it like it is.From what Ive read having the parts ready is most of the work.In fact I read where you cant just re-chrome over old chrome, It has to be removed and then a first coat of nickle has to be applied then the chrome. Not a fast process. Thanks for you advice
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,628
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, Canada
Yes, the chrome does have to be removed, I was going to ask if the kit you were looking at had chrome stripper or not, you'll need it. There's a few ways to do it: manually, by sanding/grinding or sandblasting - the hardest and least preferred method. Electrically, in a hot caustic solution, like reverse plating - the preferred method and in an acid bath - effective, but be careful what you put in there, that acid will eat aluminum and pot metal.
High quality 'show' chrome uses a triple plate; copper, nickel and then chrome. Sometimes the copper is put on thick and then the piece is buffed to a mirror finish and then put through the three stages again for about the best finish you can get.
High quality 'show' chrome uses a triple plate; copper, nickel and then chrome. Sometimes the copper is put on thick and then the piece is buffed to a mirror finish and then put through the three stages again for about the best finish you can get.