Chrome plating of car parts at home (technology + video)
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Chrome plating of car parts at home (technology + video)

Sooner or later, almost every motorist asks the question of changing the appearance of his car. Some carry out complex tuning by installing on the car decoctions or make your own transport in style stents... Others take the path of least resistance - they decorate the car with a lot of stickers (sticker bombing is also discussed separately).

Let's talk about another opportunity to change the style of your car, but this method is more time consuming and complicated. This is the chrome plating of the metal elements of the car.

What is chrome plating for?

The shiny chrome finish always catches the attention of passers-by. Even a nondescript car, after being decorated with a silver part, takes on an original design. In addition, with the help of such elements, you can emphasize the peculiarity of the bodywork, and protect them from the aggressive effects of moisture.

But besides the design idea, chrome plating also has a practical side. The part treated with a special substance receives a durable protective layer that prevents the formation of corrosion. The chrome surface is easier to maintain, as it turns out to be glossy, and the mirror effect will immediately show you where to remove dirt.

Chrome plating of car parts at home (technology + video)

In every car you can find at least one piece, processed in this style. However, some motorists seek to express themselves, and are not content with the factory configuration of their cars. In some cases, the coating is applied to parts that have been damaged by rust, but technically they can still be used in cars. After processing, such a spare part becomes like new.

Before considering the entire processing technology, it is worth paying attention to the fact that this is a laborious and rather dangerous procedure. The metal is treated with chromium ions. For this, chemicals hazardous to health are used, such as acid. Chrome plating is accompanied by the effect of electricity on the surface to be treated, so most people prefer to have this work done by specialists (for example, if there is a nearby plant with an electroplating shop). But for lovers of manual work, we will consider the whole procedure in stages.

DIY equipment and materials for chrome plating

Here's what you need to prepare for the procedure to be successful:

  • Storage tank. It is impossible for it to be metal, but it is imperative that the container can withstand high temperatures. The size must match the dimensions of the workpiece. In the electroplating shops at the factories of car manufacturers, the workpieces are lowered into large baths with a special solution containing electrodes connected to the electrical network. At home, it is difficult to repeat such processing, so most often these are small containers in which oversized parts are processed.
  • A device that allows you to heat the electrolyte. Moreover, it should not be susceptible to acid.
  • Thermometer with a scale of at least 100 degrees.
  • 12 volt rectifier capable of delivering 50 amps.
  • The structure on which the part will be suspended. The element should not lie on the bottom of the container, because at the point of contact it will not be sufficiently processed - the layer will therefore be uneven.
  • The cathode (in this case, it will be the workpiece) and the anode to which the wires will be connected.
Chrome plating of car parts at home (technology + video)
This is what a home galvanic installation would look like approximately

Chromium plating plant design

Here's how to make a chrome plating machine:

  • The container in which the processing will take place (for example, a three-liter glass jar) is placed in an acid-resistant container.
  • Plywood box - we will place the entire tank in it. It is important that this box is larger than the capacity so that sand, glass wool or mineral wool can be poured between their walls. This will create a thermos effect, which will provide a better reaction, and the electrolyte will not cool down so quickly.
  • The heating element can be used as a heater.
  • A thermometer to maintain the reaction temperature.
  • The containers must be sealed tightly. To do this, use wood or plywood that is resistant to moisture (so as not to deform during processing).
  • The alligator clip or clip is connected to the negative contact of the power supply (this will be the cathode). The anode (lead rod connected to the positive contact of the power supply) will be immersed in the electrolyte solution.
  • The suspension unit can be made according to an independent project. The main thing is that the part does not lie on the bottom of the can (or other appropriate container), but is in constant contact with the solution on all sides.

Power supply requirements

As far as the power supply is concerned, it must supply constant current. In it, the output voltage must be regulated. The simplest solution would be a conventional rheostat, with the help of which this value will change.

Chrome plating of car parts at home (technology + video)

The wires to be used during the procedure must withstand a maximum load of 50A. This will require a 2x2,5 modification (two cores with the appropriate section).

The composition of the electrolyte and the rules for its preparation

The main component that will allow chrome plating of products is electrolyte. It is impossible to complete the procedure without it. In order for the metal element to obtain the appropriate appearance, the solution must have the following composition:

  • Chromium anhydride CrO3 - 250 grams;
  • Sulfuric acid (should have a density of 1,84) H2SO4 - 2,5 gram.

These components are diluted in such quantity in one liter of distilled water. If the volume of the solution needs to be increased, then the volume of all components increases in accordance with the mentioned proportions.

Chrome plating of car parts at home (technology + video)

All these components must be mixed correctly. This is how such a procedure should be performed:

  1. The water heats up to about 60 degrees Celsius;
  2. It is better to prepare the electrolyte immediately in the container in which we will process the part. It is filled with half of the required volume of distillate;
  3. Pour chromium anhydride into hot water and stir thoroughly so that it completely dissolves;
  4. Add the missing volume of water, mix thoroughly;
  5. Pour the required amount of sulfuric acid into the solution (add the substance carefully, in a thin stream);
  6. In order for the electrolyte to be of the correct consistency, it must be processed using electricity;
  7. Place the cathode and anode in the resulting solution at a distance from each other. We pass an electric current through the liquid. The voltage is determined at the rate of 6,5A / 1L. solution. The whole procedure should last for three and a half hours. The electrolyte should be dark brown at the exit;
  8. Let the electrolyte cool and settle. To do this, it is enough to put the container in a cool room (for example, in a garage) for a day.

Basic methods of chrome plating

To give the product its characteristic silver finish, four methods of chrome plating are used:

  1. Surface metallization is a procedure similar to painting. This will require an appropriate set of reagents, as well as a nebulizer powered by a compressor. As a result, a thin metal layer is applied to the surface of the product.
  2. Part galvanization is a process in which chromium molecules are deposited on the surface of the product. The peculiarity of this process is that it is suitable not only for parts made of cast iron, steel, brass or copper. It can be used to process plastic and wood. Given this versatility, this technique is more expensive and time consuming. It is not suitable for home use, because many processes during the processing of products must be automatically controlled. For example, you need to strictly adhere to the temperature regime (for about 8 hours), or control the concentration of the saline solution. It is extremely difficult to do this without sophisticated equipment.
  3. Spraying in a vacuum chamber;
  4. Diffusion under high temperature conditions.
Chrome plating of car parts at home (technology + video)

The first procedure is easiest. For its implementation, there are ready-made reagent kits that have detailed instructions for mixing. They are produced, for example, by Fusion Technologies. Such kits do not require complex galvanic installations, and the solution can be applied to surfaces made of any materials, including glass and ceramics.

The last two methods can only be performed in the factory. Electroplating is also more commonly used in factories, but some manage to provide the necessary conditions for an appropriate reaction in garage conditions. It is suitable for processing small parts.

Chrome plating of car parts at home (technology + video)

As for the method under consideration, for which the above-mentioned electrolyte is used, its effect will be observed only in the case of copper, brass or nickel parts. If there is a need for processing conventional products, in addition, before chrome plating, a layer is applied to them with sputtering of molecules of the corresponding non-ferrous metals.

How to prepare a work piece

The effectiveness of the chrome plating procedure depends on how well the element is prepared. Corrosion must be completely removed from it, and its surface must be perfectly smooth. This may require sanding.

Chrome plating of car parts at home (technology + video)

After removing old paint, dirt and rust, the surface to be treated must be degreased. This also requires the use of a special solution. For one liter of water, take 150 grams of sodium hydroxide, five grams of silicate glue and 50 grams of soda ash. All this mixture must be thoroughly mixed.

Next, the prepared liquid should be heated to almost boiling (about 90 degrees). We put the product in a hot environment (do not apply the solution, but use full immersion of the part) for 20 minutes. In the case of a large number of bends, on which the residues of dirt have not been completely removed, the treatment should be carried out within 60 minutes.

Safety rules

In addition to basic tools and components, the person carrying out the work must ensure good ventilation in the room so as not to get chemical injuries to the respiratory tract. It would be better to have a hood installed above the tank.

Chrome plating of car parts at home (technology + video)

Next, you need to take care of personal safety equipment - a respirator, glasses and gloves. When the procedure is completed, an acidic liquid will remain, which should not be poured either into the main sewer or onto the ground. For this reason, consideration should be given to how to safely dispose of waste after chrome plating.

Moreover, you should take care of where the water will be removed, which will be used to rinse the processed parts.

Work order

If the product is chrome-plated, on which a thin layer of non-ferrous metal is applied, then before starting the main procedure, the contact surface must be activated. To do this, the fat-free element will need to be placed in a container with a solution of hydrochloric acid in distilled water (at the rate of 100 grams per liter) for 5-20 minutes. The duration depends on the type of product and the characteristics of its shape.

If it is even and smooth, then a minimum period is sufficient. In the case of a part of a complex structure, it is worth holding it a little longer, but not exceeding the specified time, so that the acid does not begin to corrode the metal. After processing, the part is rinsed with plenty of clean water.

Chrome plating of car parts at home (technology + video)

Next, we heat the electrolyte to a temperature of +45оC. The element to be chrome-plated is suspended in the tank and the negative wire is connected to it. Nearby is a lead anode powered from the “+” terminal.

On the rheostat, the current strength is set at the rate of 15 to 25 Amperes per square decimeter of the surface. The part is kept under such conditions for 20 to 40 minutes. after processing, remove the spare part from the tank and rinse it with plenty of clean water. After the part is dry, it can be polished with microfiber to give it a shiny look.

Major defects and removal of low-quality chrome plating

Most often, a novice chemist will not get the desired result the first time. This should not be intimidating, because it takes experience and accuracy to carry out the procedure correctly. The correct procedure requires careful selection of degreasers and chemical kits, which should be mixed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Chrome plating of car parts at home (technology + video)

If the desired result is not achieved, the damaged layer can be removed in a concentrated solution of water and hydrochloric acid. The liquid is prepared in the following ratio: 200 grams of acid are stirred in a liter of distillate. After processing, the element is well washed.

Here are the most common defects and their causes:

  • The film is peeling off. The reason is insufficient degreasing, which is why chromium molecules are poorly fixed on the surface. In this case, the layer is removed, degreased more thoroughly, and the galvanic procedure is repeated.
  • Unnatural growths appeared on the edges of the part. If this happens, then the sharp edges should be smoothed out so that they are as round as possible. If this is not possible, then a reflective screen should be placed in the problem area so that a large amount of current does not concentrate on that part of the surface.
  • The detail is matte. To increase the gloss, the electrolyte should be heated more or the chromium content in the concentrate should be increased (add chromium anhydride powder to the solution). After processing, the part must be polished for maximum effect.

Here is a short video on how to independently perform chromium plating by electroplating at home:

Real FunChrome electroplating. Compositions for home nickel and chrome plating.

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