:welcome: I have window frames that were chromed about 30 years ago and now they are showing their age (rust in places). Because they were done 30 years ago, I have no idea as to what their process was. However, when they were sent in for chroming there were pits in the frames (person sweating and their arm sticking out the window, left pits in metal). I thought they would remove them, but they didn't as they said they were too deep. I know I can't fix them up for a good chroming job and so wonder what has to be done to them so that I may get them powder coated, minus the pits.
27Tall T
They absolutely can be fixed and your plater should have either told you they did not have the equipment to fix them or declined the job.
When chrome plating parts that have deep pits they can be plated with copper and then the pits are soldered up. The part is then repolished copper plated, nickel plated and Chromed. You then have beautiful parts. Obviously it is an expensive process.
If the pits are not too deep they can be built up with copper just like sand scratches in a paint job are built up with primer surfacer. The problem is copper is getting very expensive so the lead (solder) is becoming much more common.
John
When chrome plating parts that have deep pits they can be plated with copper and then the pits are soldered up. The part is then repolished copper plated, nickel plated and Chromed. You then have beautiful parts. Obviously it is an expensive process.
If the pits are not too deep they can be built up with copper just like sand scratches in a paint job are built up with primer surfacer. The problem is copper is getting very expensive so the lead (solder) is becoming much more common.
John
As noted, a good plater can fix pits. It is very labor intensive, thus very expiensive. Starting with parts in better condition will be MUCH cheaper. The plater needs to strip the old chrome then grind out each pit by hand. The part is then copper plated and each pit is filled with solder, again with a lot of hand finishing. Once the pits are all filled, the part is polished and lated normally.
To properly get rid of the pits, and keep them from coming back, every pit needs to be ground before the copper dip. Dipping and filling gets rid of them, but they'll eventually come back. If your old (like me) you might not have to worry if they come back in your lifetime.
Unfortunately the pits are like a road rash, not very deep, but too many to drill out. And as you said, they won't come back in my lifetime. Maybe I should just apply a wood grain to them?
well i think i would be looking for another set that is in better shape and rechrome them. or even a set in better shape to use and redo them down the road.
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