DIY chrome plating is one of the favorite activities for many people. It is important to understand that this process is life threatening. At industrial enterprises, chromium plating is performed using special equipment. In this case, chemical or chemical-thermal treatments are used. However, you can do this at home, if you stock up with the necessary equipment and knowledge.
To make chrome do-it-yourself, it is necessary to prepare an enameled container. You will also need a
blowtorch, certain chemical mixtures, as well as knowledge in the field of
chemical processing processes. First you need to determine what types of elements of the periodic table can be used for a certain type of metal. It is also important to know in what sequence the processing will be carried out.
Do-it-yourself chrome plating should begin with the preparation of the parts to be processed. They need to be polished and degreased. This is done to remove all organic contaminants present on the parts at this time. At home, this is done by treating the elements in an alkali solution or by washing them with a good detergent. Further on the parts, it is required to insulate all parts that should not be subjected to chromium plating. As a material for insulation, lead is quite appropriate. It is resistant to electrolyte, therefore it is not subjected to chromium plating.
The next step is the installation of parts. They must be mounted on suspensions, as well as other devices that are good conductors. This is necessary to supply current to parts, as well as to disperse it over the entire area. The contacts should be as reliable as possible, since the currents passing through them are quite powerful. In this process, they bear the main burden. It is important to understand that chrome parts should never be shielded.
Do-it-yourself chrome plating can begin after all the preparatory work has been completed. It is done like this. The prepared parts are lowered into a bathtub, which is filled with chromium oxide, water, as well as free radicals, which provide high quality results. After this, it is required to pull out the product, however, it must be done with gloves, otherwise severe burns may occur. After the part cools down a little, it should be carefully polished, which will remove any precipitation from the surface. Do-it-yourself chrome plating is done exactly the same.
It is important to remember the precautions, especially the room that you have chosen for the procedure. The whole process is accompanied by abundant evolution of hydrogen and oxygen. Electrolyte droplets thicken in fog, irritating the human mucous membranes, which can lead to negative consequences. That is why do-it-yourself chrome plating is required in the open.