Tripple Chrome Plating?

[finall]

Lucky1: It looks like I stand corrected!

I did not realize that you can just apply chromium to aluminum parts with no base metal. All the parts (like wheels) that I have seen have either been prepped with copper or something else.

But, your info would likely explain why all of the aftermaket chromed aluminum accessories for the H2 chrome peel badly in one season. They all look like hell here in the wet Pacific NW on any H2 I have seen. These guys spend tens of thousands of $$ on this stuff, and it looks worse in a year than if they left the vehicle alone.

It looks so bad, that the dealer strips this stuff off when they get one in as a trade-in or auction vehicle.

So it is buyer beware! Thanks for the clarification!

[Lucky1]

No problem glad I could help. The copper is only used to fill in the pits, gouges and sandmarks after buffing and then the part is buffed again after the copper is applied. The nickel is then applied for the deep shine it makes and then the chromium is applied . It is a very complex procedure and there are lots of platers that will try to cut corners at the consumers expense. Copper is very expensive so a lot of platers will try and not copper plate. That makes the nickel not stick to the part as well. If triple plated correctly you can have a durable , long lasting deep shine that will last for years. If not, it will tarnish and definitely peel. Hope that I helped .

[H2Buff]

I have a powdercoater that claims he can duplicate black chrome with powdercoat over regular chrome. Has anyone ever tried this? It seems that it would be more durable than chrome, while still providing some shine.

[8500lbs]

Originally Posted by H2Buff

I have a powdercoater that claims he can duplicate black chrome with powdercoat over regular chrome. Has anyone ever tried this? It seems that it would be more durable than chrome, while still providing some shine.

what does he do, just a thin coat or what,
I would not trust it. Options are it looks poor quality because it is thin coat and could look blotchy. or option 2 is that it looks good and then the chrome underneath cracks, chips, or does the usual chrome stuff and makes the surface look crappy.

Just my .02
B

[H2Buff]

Originally Posted by 8500lbs

what does he do, just a thin coat or what,
I would not trust it. Options are it looks poor quality because it is thin coat and could look blotchy. or option 2 is that it looks good and then the chrome underneath cracks, chips, or does the usual chrome stuff and makes the surface look crappy.

Just my .02
B

I saw some samples that looked pretty good, I dont know the process. Wouldnt the powdercoat act as a protectant for the chrome, and minimize or eliminate the chrome problems?

[HUMMERcustoms.com/TAZ]

Can you get pics of PC chrome to put next to the black chrome for us to look at an add the nays and yeahs to.

TAZ

[8500lbs]

i dont think it would be a protectant for the chrome. i see it more like a poor foundation for the powder coat. when ever i have had to powder coat something i have had to sandblast and scuff it down to a good clean surface.

Thanks
B