Chroming original parts

Hi there,

Ok, sorry for all the questions, but hope they will be of use to others too.

Is it recommended to leave chroming of original parts to the experts (a proper chroming company if that’s what they’re called) or is this something that can be DIY?

For orig headlight surrounds, orig hubcaps and other misc items like this.

thanks again.

Dan

 

I’d doubt you could chrome properly in your garage. And professional chroming is hideously expensive if you want it done properly. Really only worth it for valuable, big items like bumpers.

Your headlight surrounds may be plastic. Hubcaps, you’re better off buying some stainless steel ones.

 

Those of you who remember that far back may recall ads in Exchange and Mart for a device which enabled you to electroplate car parts with a battery. By all accounts these were pretty useless and it probably wasn't chrome. I've done some work in plating shops and chromium is one of the more technically complex metals to plate. By comparison silver or nickel are much easier.

Then you have the chemicals to get rid of.

 

Reading the description of how VW specified original chroming.. you probably could not replicate the process at home to produce any kind of lasting result.. especially as chromium compounds are toxic and some plating kits end up with only the nickel layer as a result.

Thats out of a 1970 VW service manual.

 

Lead!

 

I’ve used the home plating kits for nickel and zinc, and they work fine for small items. As you say, proper chrome plating you need serious kit for.

 

I wouldn't attempt doing it yourself. It probably won't work very well and the chemicals involved are nasty!

 

You can have fun with cad effect electroplating, and you can shine and polish them up to a gold or chrome finish, but really only works on small items. It’s nickel zinc plating rather than chrome. Try;
https://www.gaterosplating.co.uk/
Here are some I did at Christmas time;

 

You hang parts of your van on the Xmas tree?

I wouldn't try proper cadmium plating at home

 

Might get a quote from these guys when I have a moment: http://www.ashfordchroming.com

 

I got a quote from them for redoing the sliding door handle- it was cheaper to buy a new one!
I know a restorer who sends his bright work to Poland where presumably there is less concern about H&S and desposing of the chems...

 

Doesn’t everyone?

Indeed, it’s pretty much outlawed now. The cad effect is achieved by dipping in a gold dye straight after the ni-zinc plating.

 

Isn’t the chrome on new stuff really poor quality though? Or is that just the standard nowadays?

 

Tends to be on the Brazilian stuff. They don’t bother doing it properly.

 

Much better and cheaper to buy good used genuine parts

 

They've no need to, as there's no salt on their roads.