Thread: Looking for information on chrome process

Hello I am new to this forum and signed up because I am looking for information about the chrome process and the process to remove chrome. I found a ton of videos on chroming and removing chrome on you tube but I can’t find anything that goes into the exact process and required materials, equipment, voltage, amps required, etc..

So if you can assist I would appreciate it. I am looking for 2 things I am looking to figure out what I have at home I can use to chrome without spending a bunch of money. The second I found a video where they were removing nickel, copper and zinc plating with electrolysis then reusing the solution to plate another part. Can you use this process to remove the plating off chrome then reuse it to plate something else? If you can do it with those other materials I’m assuming it’s possible. Thanks for the information

Firstly are you sure that the the parts you have are chrome plated because most of what is claimed to be chrome these days, especially on motor vehicles, is actually nickel.

Secondly, chrome plating not something I would recommend as a DIY project. The chemicals used and the vapours produced are very dangerous and without powerful exhausting fans there is a high risk of poisoning yourself. It's simply not good enough to just wear a mask because the vapours will contaminate everything in the vicinity of the process and required a very through clean - including your hair, skin and clothing.

Using electrolysis to remove chrome sounds like a good way to to pit the surface of the part. This is OK if the part is no longer needed otherwise be careful.
Chrome plated parts often have other metals between the chrome plating and steel so these metals and iron from the steel will also be dissolved and contaminate the electrolyte and affect the chrome plating.

The other point worth making is that the actual chrome on plated decorative parts is only a few microns thick. I've watched the process and it takes just seconds to put the actual chrome on. Immediately below the chrome is always nickel in a more substantial thickness, and below that copper if plated on ferrous metal (hence the term "triple plated"). Cuprous (copper, brass, bronze etc) can be plated directly with nickel then chrome.
Head BobL's warning! Messing with chrome is potentially VERY dangerous - look up "hexavalent chrome" in Google.....

Chrome solutions are toxic too, so proper waste disposal of used liquids is also an issue.

Michael

Have you looked at Caswell's website? They sell chemicals and kits for all types of plating. Some of the chemicals are expensive though. I doubt there is a cheap way to do this.

https://www.caswellplating.com/elect...ting-kits.html

There is also a forum on their website which might be a better place to get your answers.

https://forum.caswellplating.com/for...ting-questions

You could also give them a call. I believe they are very helpful. Good luck.

I did a short electroplating course at TAFE.
Chroming was done, but it was heavily stressed that it could be a deadly undertaking -"Don't do it at home".
However nickel plate is not so toxic.
It's not as shiny as chrome, but that's largely down to how well an item is polished beforehand.
Polishing is more work than the actual plating, needing a variety of products, techniques and a big buffing machine (at least).
Nickel eventually oxidises to a matte tone, but can be periodically polished after plating to restore brightness, but it's never as brilliant as chrome.
It was a common "silvery" finish until the 1930s when chroming was developed.
I did a little nickel plating at a friend's place. Results looked good at first but we didn't put enough on going by how it began to rust disappointingly soon afterwards.
It took up quite some space - plastic crates with lids, power supply, etc and not easy to pack away so the lot was disassembled.
It was an expensive failed experiment, but could be successful if you are determined enough I think.
Regarding stripping, there were different chemicals used for chrome, nickel & copper. It was done under big hoods fitted with fans so must also be somewhat toxic.
It's a lot easier than plating, not needing scrupulous cleanliness and with simple equipment. I don't remember the various chemicals.
That's about all I do remember.

I rarely find that you can do something well safely and cheap, pick any two. I find that I get the best results playing if I do all the part preparation and cleaning then send it off.

I have a small book titled Metal Plating for the Amateur there is a chapter devoted to the chrome plating process, a quick look through it and it looks do-able, if you are determined to give it a go PM and I'll email you a scan of that chapter

Originally Posted by nadroj

I did a little nickel plating at a friend's place. Results looked good at first but we didn't put enough on going by how it began to rust disappointingly soon afterwards.

Plating processes invariably involve using hydrous solutions, and transferring material through these solutions. This also transfers hydrogen with the material leaving minuscule pockets of hydrogen in the surface coating. With many coatings these work their way out over time leaving minuscule voids that can harbour moisture and allow rust to establish. Generally speaking, thin coatings and rapid deposition increase the amount of hydrogen pockets under the surface and the propensity for rust formation.

One exception is chrome plating which on ferrous substrates can skin over the hydrogen pockets completely, trapping the hydrogen in the substrate and being a source of hydrogen embrittlement. This is one reason why most chrome plating processes utilise intermediate layers like nickel or copper and then nickel. Another is that these metals are softer and easier to polish to a mirror finish than steel, so the expense of the extra plating steps can be offset by the savings in polishing time preparing the job.