easy one: flash chrome..what processes from triple plating do you bypass?

[D S.]

Re: easy one: flash chrome..what processes from triple plating do you bypass?

I've had all five sets of my big block valve covers, two ignition shielding boxes and three lids, and two sets of exhaust tips flash chromed by a small plating firm in Fort Worth, Texas called Al's & Associates. Great job every time. They don't polish the metal after stripping the old chrome off and simply apply a single coat of chrome. I always get a dullish satin chrome finish with an orange peel effect. Love the look.

[Mike B.]

Re: easy one: flash chrome..what processes from triple plating do you bypass?

I am in the camp of finding a smaller, local plater with a good reputation.

Bumper Boyz has a big operation and they focus on mass production of mostly bumpers like the name says. I never got the feeling from them that quality and customer satisfaction is #1. My brother has swapped several auto bumpers while at shows due to convinience and competitive price, but more than one was tweaked, had holes filled, grind marks were visible, or the chrome flaking. Good luck sending it back to LA for correction. Shipping costs eat up the value of the job. Plus the aggravation is not worth it.

[James G.]

Re: easy one: flash chrome..what processes from triple plating do you bypass?

I left my 1973 RS Z28 bumpers with a plater who when I asked about factory looking plating on my bumpers and maybe not polishing the Copper so much, or possibly just Nickel Chrome seemed to KNOW exactly what I wanted.
He said I do bumpers where I replicate or preserve the tooling marks and lightly polish so the edges are left crisp for high end NCRS guy down in Florida. ~ BINGO...
He seemed to understand EXACTLY what I was looking for.

First he drew out the bumpers on the receipt ~ with tooling marks and heavy sanding scratches NOTED on the illustrations.
He explained what he does - (Note I provided VERY clean bumpers with no pitting OR Damage on the faces.)

1. Electrically remove previous plating,
2. Inspect parts - light sanding prep -
3. Nickel plates -
4. sanding and polishing
5. apply tooling and grind/heavy scratches per illustrations.
6. nickel plate
7. polish
8. chrome plate

He double nickel plates then chrome VS copper nickel chrome...

Parts are supposed to be delivered tomorrow -- I will provide photos
2 front bumperettes
1 rear bumper
1 shifter handle
total of $840 - FOB Eastern Tenn.

[Richard G.]

Re: easy one: flash chrome..what processes from triple plating do you bypass?

Flash chrome was also used on the fuel lines on some SHP cars?

[Ara G.]

Re: easy one: flash chrome..what processes from triple plating do you bypass?

Paul's Chrome Plating does restoration flash and does not grind to remove.

Yup, i've used them too. Not cheap but excellent results. I like that they send you a printed picture of your actual item when it comes in and when it's sent out. ARA

[James G.]

Re: easy one: flash chrome..what processes from triple plating do you bypass?

I am extremely pleased with the PLATING - R & D Plating in Elizabethton TN
turn around was approx a month - I left the bumpers with the plater at Charlotte Autofair first week of September.
I would not hesitate to send my next plating to them as well.

Fine scratches -




Nicely finished on the backs


Crisp edges not rounded from polishing

[Tracy C.]

Re: easy one: flash chrome..what processes from triple plating do you bypass?

This may be too simplistic, but it's the way I've always understood it:

"Show Chrome" - copper, then nickel, then chrome (seldom used in OEM exterior applications).

"Production Chrome" - nickel, then chrome.

"Flash" or "Smack" chrome - plated over polished stainless to prevent oxidation, results in the "icy blue" appearance of all C1/C2 OEM exterior stainless parts.

I can't imagine just chrome (which is clear) plating over a steel base; what gives chromed parts their shine and brilliance is the nickel underneath the chrome; the chrome just protects the nickel from oxidation.

DING DING DING...we have a winner folks....think of "chrome" as just clear coat for the previous plating layers. Seldom ever thicker than .0003 (3 ten thousands) and colorless.

tc