Surface area question

[carts69]

Hi all! Firstly what an excellent forum.... My question concerns the good old 'surface area' calculating. I have recently purchased the tripple chrome plating kit,looks great untill the maths thing comes into play.
I have read through the forums and read replies although still finding it difficult how to work out surface areas.Could someone explain in real simple terms how to do this.
I have read the manual and tried the 1" squares but still unsure how to calculate it all.
Below is a picture of a cycle pedal arm (solid) covering 7 x 1" squares,how do i work out the amps from here for this item.
Sorry to sound thick but i have no idea & would like to know if the 1" grid can be used all the time for different shapes!
Really need a simple soloution before i can start.

http://forum.caswellplating.com/atta...1&d=1195388887

[FigureLLC]

based on that picture, i would just estimate it as 14 square inches. ...7 on one side, 7 on the other, and i'd neglect the thickness since it's relatively thin. if the part were more square through the cross section, then it'd be 14(from above, the face you see in the pic and the back), and 14 (top+bottom), and 2 (left+right), for a total of 30.

i'm not a plater, though, so i don't know what kind of accuracy it takes. i'd also guess it's better to slightly OVERestimate the surface area?

[carts69]

Len.....Thanks for your advice, what you have stated seems to make sense to me (makes a change) lol. Anyway cheers for that & would still like comments from others who may be able to give any advice? Thanks Len!