Plating Chrome over Brass

[mojobari]

I used a Copy Chrome Kit to touch-up chrome I filed off a sax mouthpiece when I modified it. It exposed brass underneath. I used Flitz to polish it and laquer thinner to clean it. I was amazed at how easy the plating process was and how well it came out after I polished it again with Flitz. I repeated this a few times since I saw some missed/thin spots.

After 3 hours of sax playing, the area that the sax reed vibrates against the mouthpiece has worn away the new plating. Some other areas that were plated have also worn, or they were missed/thin and the brass tarnished. 80% or so of the Copy Chrome is still there and the brass taste I was experiancing prior to the plating is much reduced.

Do you have any tips on what I can do to get a thicker and/or harder chrome plating that will stand up better? Warm the solution? A better surface prep? A different kit/process? (I can send a picture, but I dont have a host site link it to.)

[mcaswell]

Just plate a thicker layer by plating it for a longer period of time. The more you plate it, the thicker the layer gets.

[mojobari]

I did some more Copy Chrome today. I took more time. Seems to be better, thicker.

I also tried Silver Brush Plating on brass today. I was using the 4.5 volts in the Copy Chrome kit. I also heated the brass in warm water prior to plating.

I did about 3 sq inches for 15-20 minutes. I obtained a black-ish layer, which I was expecting. When I went to polish it with Flitz, it all came off.

Do I need lower voltage or what?

[mcaswell]

Sounds more like a surface prep problem. Please post a problem report on PRS, so we can effectively help you.