Chrome Plating-Too Expensive to do in California?

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TomC
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#1: Post by TomC »

I wanted to start this thread in the Lever forum where it plays into people like myself restoring their various equipment, but not sure if it's a good fit, so I'll try here. Just curious if anyone else has had success recently in getting chroming work done here in California, and what their experience was like.

I've been able to find a place to get my parts powder coated, but sourcing a chrome plater hasn't been as easy. I located one, but haven't inquired as to prices yet, since I'll likely need parts in hand to get a good estimate.

After talking to several different places, I learned the basic sentiment is that because of all the regulations and hazardous chemical laws in California, specifically, that plating shops have closed their doors and moved onto other industries, since the cost of operating their business was too prohibitive.

Has anyone else been able to source a good chrome shop here in California recently and get work done at reasonable prices?

I'm wondering if it would be cheaper for me to do the prep work here, sanding out the surface scratches on my Cremina and then box everything up and send it off to Texas, and have my brother find a place that can do it. I wouldn't do it if it was only to save $50, but if it's a significant amount I'll consider an option like that. I know there's other states that are less restrictive regulation wise, but still are able to produce a product without destroying the environment.

Has anyone sent work out of state before?
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Randy G.
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#2: Post by Randy G. »

Stop some of the Hell's Angels you see and ask where they go.. (s0rry).. Seriously, check the custom motorcycle shops and see who they use.
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Clint Orchuk
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#3: Post by Clint Orchuk »

Probably not much different state to state. The regulations have stopped most of the shops from doing triple chrome (copper/nickel/chrome). Shouldn't be too hard to find a shop that will do double chrome (no copper). 80% of the cost is in the labor for the prep work. It doesn't shine like chrome if the surface finish isn't mirror smooth. If you can do that work yourself, you should be able to save some money.

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TomC (original poster)
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#4: Post by TomC (original poster) »

Good to know. I had thought the prep work had to account for a good part of the cost since it would be the most hands on time consuming. My Cremina group head wasn't pristine when I got started and certainly worse for wear now that I had to fight with the damn C clips holding the lever pins in place.
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Randy G.
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#5: Post by Randy G. »

Clint Orchuk wrote:... It doesn't shine like chrome if the surface finish isn't mirror smooth. If you can do that work yourself, you should be able to save some money.
If prepping yourself, check with the chrome shop first. Some polishing compounds will affect the ability of the metal to hold the chrome and will necessitate further work by the shop.
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TomC (original poster)
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#6: Post by TomC (original poster) »

If I proceed down this route, I might see where wet/dry aluminum oxide sandpaper takes me and avoid the polishing compound. That's a great tip though. I really hate the scratches that I made worse on the yolk, while rebuilding it.
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pocojoe
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#7: Post by pocojoe »

Think "Erin Brockovitch"

The problem with chrome plating is the toxicity and mutagenicity of hexavalent chromium:


NIOSH: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hexavalentchromium/index.html
WIKI: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexavalent_chromium

There are a lot of alternatives that can be considered, and they are right up there in terms of difficulty with doing a complete teardown, acid dip of boiler, and reconstruction of a boiler. Electroplating is something that is readily within reach of the backyarder.

Nickel is probably something that we see all the time and think "Chrome". It can be done in the backyard. Here is a site to check out, but there are many many hobbiests that do plating, with lots of postings showing off their best work. Silverplating is very straighforward, used extensively in electronics, but tarnishes.

http://www.tyler.net/drspiff/HSM/nickel_plating.htm

There are online communities and commercial sources for the stuff you might need:

http://www.caswellplating.com/electropl ... ideos.html

I've done some electoplating- much more work with homebrewing circuit boards in the days prior to 24 hour turnaround of CAD submissions- but it is very approachable and safe, with appropriate safety gear and precautions.
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TomC (original poster)
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#8: Post by TomC (original poster) »

Very cool sites thanks! I think I'll stick to doing the prep myself and taking the parts to a professional, since I only have a small apartment. I want to get my coffee bar cleared away and not have it piled up with the parts of 3 various lever machines.
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JohnB.
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#9: Post by JohnB. »

I'd check with the plater & see how they feel about you doing your own "prep". Typically the scratches, pits, ect are filled by building up the base plating layer & then buffing it down flat. The chrome will mirror any defects in the surface so if you sand out the scratches you could end up with low spots that the chrome will reflect back at you every time you look at it.
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TomC (original poster)
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#10: Post by TomC (original poster) »

Ohh, that would be good to know! I don't plan on attacking it for quite some time, maybe in a month or two. I haven't even gotten to use it yet, but after it's rebuilt this coming week, I'd like to play with it for a while and see what it's capable of.

If you find out, I'd love to know. I haven't called the platers I found yet, but I'm sure I could likely find someone there who could tell me.
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