Metal prep for chrome

[myjohndeere]

hey,
Ive cut out a grille insert for my GMC yukon out of 14guage sheetmetal. what are all your recomendations for making it smooth enough so it'll look perfect when plated with chrome? and, should i smooth it myself and pay less $$ at a local chrome shop or ship it to Advanced Plating in Nashville,TN where they smooth and plate it?

thanks, myjohndeere

 

[AlanB]

When they chrome plate, it will be polished to look like chrome, prior to chroming. Most of the money in Chroming is actually in the polishing. (actually I am referring to chroming for Show or appearance, which I am assuming is what you are speaking about)

Make double and triple sure you know what all the costs are going to be. I got hit with several "extras" that I did not realize, that drove the cost of some of the work I had done beyond reasonable. (At Advanced plating in Nashville.) Hazmat fee, boxing, counting the brake pedal as a piece and the brake pedal mount as a piece, high packaging costs.... Nice work, but make sure you are very well aware of what all the costs are going to be.

Most platers will discount, the better you have it polished. Again, my limited experience is that basicly, when folks look at it, and think it is already chromed, then it is ready to chrome.

As far as polishing, that is kind of like which oil is best. But a general consensus is start coarse, and finish smooth. I like Roloc's, start at brown, and work to grey I think, then get on with the buffing wheel. Grizzly and HF have some pretty good values on this if you plan on doing more. If you are only interested in one piece, pay to have it done. If you have a ton of time, it can all be done by hand sitting in front of the tv at night. I never have that kind of time.

Good luck.

 

[schmism]

remember there is no "filler" for chrome, there is no color sanding, or buffing to work out imperfections.

If it exists before the chrome goes on, it WILL be there after its finished and you WILL see it.

 

[SnoFalls]

well, there is a "filler" ... they can plate with a copper base (which is then perfected) and then the chrome ...

but that's not the preferred means ... best to have smooth surface and only plate once.