GENERAL CHROME
THE PROCESS
Electro plating has been done for over 200 years, however with todays modern technology its not just an art but a science as well. Chrome plating or electroplating is often also called electrodeposition. Electrodeposition is the process of producing a coating, usually metallic, on a surface by the action of an electric current. The deposition of a metallic coating onto an object or cathode (in this case a wheel), is achieved by putting a negative charge on the object to be coated and immersing it into a solution which contains a salt of the metal to be deposited. Since the metallic ions of the salt carry a positive charge they are attracted to the negativly charged cathode. When they reach the negatively charged object electrons reduce the positively charged ions to metallic form.
The process begins by removing the tire, center cap, wheel weights, nuts, bolts, wheel rivets, and any other wheel accessories.
The wheels are then stripped in an acid bath to remove their original finish down to the raw aluminum core.
From this point the wheels are hand polished to a smooth finish. The polishing step is one of the most important steps when plating because any small scratches or cut marks that are not removed before plating will show up in the finished product. We constantly check and monitor every wheel after each polishing stage to ensure the best quality finish possible.
After the polishing is complete and the wheel has been approved for plating the wheel is cleaned and placed in a phosphoric acid etching bath followed by an alumaseal zincate sealant bath. This step ensures that the surface to be plated is clean and free of contaminants and corrosion.
Following these first two steps is the first layer of plating. Strike Nickel is the first layer of plating applied to the wheels. This layer of nickel insures a strong bond with the next important layer of plating, Acid Copper.
The second layer of plating that is applied is Acid Copper. This copper is a softer metal which allows us fill in small pits caused by corrosion or small scratches. This process may be repeated more than once depending on the original condition of the wheel. By filling in these small imperfections the final finish will have a smooth seamless mirror affect.
Now that the copper plating is completed another polishing procedure takes place. Using a high speed buff and specialized buffing compound we buff the copper plating to a shine. This gives the final chrome finish a brighter shine allowing more light to reflect off the chrome.
Once the copper polishing is complete and the wheel is approved to complete the plating process the wheel is then cleaned in an acid bath to remove any dirt, oil, dust, and polishing compound that may have accumulated on the wheel since the copper plating. After this second cleaning stage the wheel is now ready to receive its third layer of plating with Bright Nickel.
The bright nickel plating is then applied to the wheel just before the final chrome plating. This nickel plating provides even more shine and reflection to the final chrome finish and helps to prevent corrosion and provide strength against wear and tear.
The final layer of plating is none other than the chrome plating. Once the chrome plating is complete the wheel is rinsed and cleaned. Then the wheel is inspected and checked for any unexpected flaws or imperfections.
Once the wheel has been approved and cleaned the wheel is ready to be packaged and shipped to the customer or have a tire mounted and balanced before returning the wheel to the vehicle.
