Plating Stainless

[rsrowell]

I am considering plating a stainless steel auto pistol frame. Not for looks, but to add hardness to the frame rails for durability and wear resistance.
My questions are;
How tough and hard is the copy chrome finish?
If I use the electroless version how do I protect areas that I do not want built up?
Is it advisable to plate both the frame and slide rails--as these two will rub together?
If I go with the electroless copy chrome system, will I need the stainless steel activator, and if so, what are all the components I will need to order?

[mcaswell]

R_Scott wrote:

How tough and hard is the copy chrome finish?

As tough and hard as it gets. It's a nickel based product.

If I use the electroless version how do I protect areas that I do not want built up?

Masking lacquer, tape etc.

Is it advisable to plate both the frame and slide rails--as these two will rub together?

Sure

If I go with the electroless copy chrome system, will I need the stainless steel activator, and if so, what are all the components I will need to order?

Yes, you'll need the activator. The activator is not electroless, so you'll be using regular electroplating techniques. Why not get a regular copy chrome system. It's more versatile and is cheaper to operate.

[rsrowell]

I thought that also--if I have to get all the stuff to do the activator coat, might as well go with the standard electroplate.
A few more questions:
How difficult is it to hone or lap a copy chrome surface to achieve dimension--what special tools might be needed?
To adequately plate the frame rails, I'm thinking perhaps they should be at least .001" under/oversized--what are the ductile properties of copy chrome in terms of resisting deformation considering its hardness layered over the softer frame steel--about 24 RHC (frame), and is .001" thickness adequate?
Would sand blasting, or emery sanding prior to plating result in a "matte" finish similar to that seen on commercially plated guns?
As for what to order...I'm basically looking at the copy chrome plating kit with the addition of activator?

[mcaswell]

We've not heard of anyone honing/lapping a plated finish other than a hard chrome plate. Plating is generally just that, a very thin plate on top of another metal. If you try to remove some of it, it would take an extremely fine touch not to go right to the bare metal.

Hard chrome plate might be more what you're looking for here. See http://www.caswellplating.com/chrome.htm

Sand blasting or emery sanding would give a matte finish.