Chrome Platers are engineers skilled in providing Chrome Plating and it is often referred to simply as Chrome. They use a special technique to achieve this called electroplating. The substance used is called Chromium; a thin layer of this substance is electroplated onto a metal object creating the chrome layer. Once the layer has been achieved it is possible to decorate it if you electroplating on plastic or provide extra corrosion resistance to the playing. Other things you can do to the Chrome layer are increasing its surface hardness or apply finishes to it that ease cleaning procedures.

The Process Involved

The component that is top be plated will usually go through the following procedure in stages:

The component will be degreased; this removes any soiling that may be present.
It is essential that the surface is spotless so after the degreasing manual cleaning will take place; this is to remove any dirt, impurities or residue.
Depending on the substrate in question various pre-treatments may take place at this stage.
The component is to be placed into the Plating Vat, this is only to be done after the above steps have been taken. Once in the Vat it is left to heat up to the solution temperature.
The Plating Current is applied to the component where it remains in the Vat until the correct thickness is attained.
Finally the component is removed where it must cool down and any decorative finishes are applied if required.
The actual chemicals required in this process are extremely toxic and the disposal of these chemicals must conform to certain regulations, it is regulated in most countries and not just the UK.