chrome plate it yourself

[Guest tony brazier]

NNOW YOU CAN CHROME PLATE IT YOURSELF,very exciting real complete chrome plating kits starting under 100dollarshttp:cheeky:://chromebabychrome.webs.com

[Jayel]

I think those caswell electroplating kits comes with rectifiers (and in the case of brush plating kits, the small power supply converters) that may not be suitable for Singapore's electrical voltage. We run on 220 or 240volts I think and the rectifiers they supply is for 110v.

 

I am also quite keen on their electroless kits. I emailed them quite sometime ago but guess they are not too interested to reply.

Edited January 23, 2011 by Jayel

[Joe_Boxer]

How to order this stuff? Look interesting

[arthur_chan]

We run on 220 or 240volts I think and the rectifiers they supply is for 110v.

 

we can always downstep the volts by using a converter or some sort. i used to own a playstation that use 110v, thus a bypass converter is needed.

 

the website looks bogus, plating requires lots of chemical which r hazzarous, and the hazzard byproduct needs to be dumped somewhere. thus if u want plating, get it to a shop is a better option. used metal r not good for plating btw.

 

the alternative to plating is painting it. although it wont look as nice as plating, but at least u'll never be sued.

Edited January 28, 2011 by arthur_chan

[Jayel]

Yep, you can use another converter to convert from 220 to 110v but ideally for those small brush plating kits, it would be good if they could supply the AC/DC adapter that is already included in the package, in our voltage instead of the buyer having to use another converter to convert their 110v adapter again.

 

Caswell I don't think is one of those bogus websites. They seem to quite well known in their trade, as I have read numerous feedbacks about them in a few other hobbyists forums.

 

Of course, I totally agree that dumping is obviously the main concern when it comes to DIY that involves chemicals. Their electroless kits however, seems to involve non-hazardous/less hazardous (these can be shipped by air). Also, for brush plating kits for plating small parts, I don't think there will be anything left behind to dump once you finish using them up.

 

It is not true that used metal is not good for plating. All metal, new or otherwise will need thorough surface prep before electroplating (or electroless plating) to get the good results. Some metals like aluminium and stainless steel will require additional steps. Still, I agree that if it is just for a few items from your bike, it is simpler to just send for local chroming instead.

 

As for their brush plating kits, I see them as a very cheap and convenient way of plating small parts like bolt heads, nuts and washers to give any serious restoration an overall better bling result. They could be also useful to plate other small parts without having to detach them from the vehicle as long as one can do the surface prep on these parts and there is a electrical socket nearby to do the brush plating.

 

I am not promoting their products nor have I actually tried them yet. I was quite impressed though with some of the pics/videos I saw of the simplicity and convenience of brush plating kits. Actually if you do a search, there are quite a few suppliers out there.

[arthur_chan]

ok r we talking chrome plating or nickel/aluminium plating?

 

chrome is toxic, any type of chrome plating is not suitable to do in a residential area. chrome platers wear all sort of protective gear when doing plating.

 

the reason why i say the website is bogus; look at TS's post. why did he create a webs site n link to caswell, n not directly (look carefully @ the links), most his other links were broken also. i'm not saying caswell is bogus, however i dont think they will sell chrome to you.

 

used metal is not suitable for chrome plating cos of the amount of work need to treat the metal to give it a very good surface for chroming. used metal usually r rusted which when plated will create dents, furthermore plating on rust will create peels.

 

common metal electrolysis is safe to do in residental, u just need a good power source, CPU power supply is a good one, thus u just need to diy, all the other materials can be bought from hardware store if u know what u require.

 

common metal plating will not achieve they type of bling chrome plating gives. also it might not withstand high temperature. only suitable for hobby n decorative purpose.

[Jayel]

ok r we talking chrome plating or nickel/aluminium plating?

 

chrome is toxic, any type of chrome plating is not suitable to do in a residential area. chrome platers wear all sort of protective gear when doing plating.

 

Chrome crystals for electroplating are classified as hazardous and different countries will have different regulations governing electroplating with chrome crystals. Kits for DIY chroming at home are therefore not supplied with chrome crystals and they use other non hazardous substitutes such as what is often referred to as “copy chrome”, marketed as being able to produce equally good results. The process of electroplating itself however, may require certain chemicals or produce certain fumes and these may be regulated depending on the country.

 

Besides chrome, you can also electroplate with nickel, copper, cobalt, gold and silver, each of these will produce different finish depending on what is required. All these are non-hazardous. You can plate onto aluminium but aluminium is not used to plate on other metals.

 

Electroless plating do not involve electrical current. This process is also thought to be less hazardous when using non-hazardous medium such as copy chrome solutions or the other non hazardous metals.

 

Brush plating itself is a form of electroplating but uses a brush to paint over the target instead of submerging it into the plating solution.

 

 

used metal is not suitable for chrome plating cos of the amount of work need to treat the metal to give it a very good surface for chroming. used metal usually r rusted which when plated will create dents, furthermore plating on rust will create peels.

 

In decorative plating for automotive parts, there will be oem plated parts, after market plated products and there will also be a large part of this business involving plating rusted and worn parts to restore or to customize. Surface treatment of worn, pitted and rusted metal is a part of the process in metal plating. In the marine industry, rusted, propellers of sea vessels are periodically sent for hard chroming to be restored and given a hard protective layer. One of the best usages of metal plating therefore, is in restoring used, rusted and worn out metal parts.

[arthur_chan]

In decorative plating for automotive parts, there will be oem plated parts, after market plated products and there will also be a large part of this business involving plating rusted and worn parts to restore or to customize. Surface treatment of worn, pitted and rusted metal is a part of the process in metal plating. In the marine industry, rusted, propellers of sea vessels are periodically sent for hard chroming to be restored and given a hard protective layer. One of the best usages of metal plating therefore, is in restoring used, rusted and worn out metal parts.

 

depends on what the purpose, if just for protection, n dont mind the pits, ok

if small items, ok

if big parts with rust pits and u want to achive a smooth bling effect, good luck, the time and effort put in is better off buying a new piece.