Go in depth into the chrome plating processChrome Plating Process -Find out what happens to your motorcycle parts when you send them to the chrome plater. To find out how to choose the best chrome plater, click here. I like to know as much about what I'm getting into as possible, especially when I start spending hundreds of dollars on something I have no control of. I mean. . .my bike is going to be in pieces and how do I know I'll get my parts back ok? Ok, of course chrome plating shops will vary, but here is an idea of what will happen to your parts when you send them to a chrome plater.
Best chrome plating process: |
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Now, in the case of die-cast zinc pot there may be many pits. Often during the chrome plating process, the shop will copper plate and polish repetitively until the blemishes are removed. Lead solder may be employed to fill the pits.
Also there may be what are called "chrome burns" on the tips and high areas of the part. These chrome burns are unsightly white or greyish areas that fortunately can be polished to chrome brightness. The only sacrifice is that there might be noticeable buffing lines in the part. It's all a matter of judgment, if the plater's guestimate is way off, the part will either look matte gray or yellowish (nickel). He will then strip the chrome, which luckily doesn't normally hurt the nickel plating underneath and replate it. The finished product of all this careful work is very rewarding as you can see:
If you're looking for even more information on the this process, read our how to choose a chrome plater article. There you will find what it takes to make sure you get the most for your chrome plating process dollar. You'll also find our recommendation for the best chrome plater. |
Normally
your motorcycle parts are stripped down to the basis metal (usually
steel), and then they are polished and buffed to a mirror-like finish.
All blemishes in the metal are removed. This can be quite elaborate.
The worker is truly a craftsman. Sometimes parts are block sanded
by hand in order to remove ripples. This type of work is very labor
intensive and expensive. Usually machinery can be used to accomplish
the abrasive operations for motorcycle parts.
The
more elaborate 
First
a strike coating of alkaline copper which allows for acid copper
to be deposited. The best quality comes from buffing or polishing
these parts. When the buffer works on these parts the small pits
can be removed. 
Once
the coppered part is ready it is nickel plated, rinsed and immediately
chrome plated. Then the part is thoroughly rinsed and inspected.
The
things to look for are "misplates" where the yellow cast
of nickel shows. This situation is caused by the poor current efficiency
inherent with chrome plating. It takes a very skilled plater to
figure out just how to "zap" the part with electrical
voltage. In custom work, it is all based on experience and the workman
uses his best guestimate. If he's really a genius I guess he could
figure out the surface area and calculate the amperage per square
foot and all that, but I think most custom platers just shoot from
the hip to get the proper chrome plating process. 
