Copy Chrome Questions

[junodale]

I am interested in the Copy Chrome system for starters, i'm not sure if I want to jump right in with the real chrome system. My question to the forum: would the Copy Chrome be OK to use on medium to small motorcycle parts and will the durability and looks be suitable and what type of care is needed, wax etc.

Junodale

[NYCmotor]

hello Junodale,

I'm new as well, would greatly appreciate any feedback you may have received. Sounds like we have a lot of the same questions.

[email protected]

Good luck!

Chad

[tbloss001]

For my personal use, copy chrome does everything I'd want as far as finish and durability. However, it's not chrome.
Copy chrome will need to be polished from time to time to keep it's mirror finish, chrome doesn't.
Though copy chrome gives you just about the same chemical durability and rust resistance as Chrome, it isn't near as hard. Copy chrome is much more sucseptible to physical abrasions, such as scratches and weather erosion than true chrome.

I don't do chrome plating and the few times I get a request for it (rarely since I do mostly jewelry and personal items), I just explain the differences between copy chrome and real chrome, I show them what a good copy chrome finish looks like and then tell them how much having that one ciggarrett lighter or eyeglass frame Chrome plated will cost at the local chrome shop. Most are perfectly happy with the copy chrome.

[mikedinmd]

attn: caswell. is this a good description of copy chrome

For my personal use, copy chrome does everything I'd want as far as finish and durability. However, it's not chrome.
Copy chrome will need to be polished from time to time to keep it's mirror finish, chrome doesn't.
Though copy chrome gives you just about the same chemical durability and rust resistance as Chrome, it isn't near as hard. Copy chrome is much more sucseptible to physical abrasions, such as scratches and weather erosion than true chrome.

I don't do chrome plating and the few times I get a request for it (rarely since I do mostly jewelry and personal items), I just explain the differences between copy chrome and real chrome, I show them what a good copy chrome finish looks like and then tell them how much having that one ciggarrett lighter or eyeglass frame Chrome plated will cost at the local chrome shop. Most are perfectly happy with the copy chrome.

[mikedinmd]

tbloss001 i am also interested in copychrome process. was considering doing smaller auto & bike parts with it. is abrasion durability that much of a liability in your opinion? by needin polished to keep its mirror finish, do you mean it clouds? thanks. mike

[tbloss001]

copy chrome, just like regular nickel, will dull over time.
A couple of wipes with a polishing cloth will bring back the luster, but with a true chrome plating, it won't dull or oxidize at all.

[MrDmB]

chrome over

I was wondering if you could chrome over copy chrome and if so why would you then want to use copper first? I ordered the copy Chrome kit and had intended to do small car parts such as brackets, hings and pulley parts. But after hereing some of the feed back, if it were to tarish and fade maybe this would not be best and was thinking that maybe I could get a chrome kit and chrome over it. Any thoughts?
thks

[tbloss001]

I suppose you could chrome over copy chrome, but why would you want to? Chrome is what imparts the hard, bright white/bluish finish we all know and love. Copy chrome is just a fair imitation in certain instances.

The copper part of the triple chrome system is a VERY important part.
You need that copper for coverage, adherance, and ease of finish. Copper is a heck of a lot easier to build up and polish to a high luster than nickel. If your copper finish isn't good, then your nickel finish won't be good and if your nickel finish isn't good, then your chrome, etc, etc etc...

[mikedinmd]

would a finish such as zoopseal be an answer to the dulling of copychrome?

[MrDmB]

more dumb questions

if copper is a very important part of triple chroming how can "Copy Chrome" get away without using it. Would it be possible to get a picture of your copy chrome setup? and if possible a quick break down. I'm just trying to figure out how to set it up in garage. Any tips you have would be great. Thanks in advance.
Daryl

[MrDmB]

what happened

did I ask too many dumb questions

[cgworth]

Re: more dumb questions

if copper is a very important part of triple chroming how can "Copy Chrome" get away without using it. Would it be possible to get a picture of your copy chrome setup? and if possible a quick break down. I'm just trying to figure out how to set it up in garage. Any tips you have would be great. Thanks in advance.
Daryl

I would also like to know this as well

[mcaswell]

Copper is used as a filler, like hibuild paint.
It can be polished easily, and it covers minor imperfections.
If the surface is good and highly polished, you can miss this step on steel, copper and brass base.

If the base is pot metal, pewter, lead Al, you need to plate it with a primer of copper. Plating shops do this with cyanide copper, we do it with Flash Copper.

So, in some cases copper is important, in others it isn't.

[impactelectro]

copy chrome

copy chrome: is it hard to remove or deplate from aluminum. can you simply leave it in the anodize/chrome stripper solution? or does a current need to be passer thru the stripping solution as well?will leaving the aluminum in the solution to long have any adverse affect on any exposed aluminum not plated with copy chrome?how long should the part(paintball gun frame) be left in the tank?