Anode placement?

[phunkmastakrez]

Tried a search on the website for anode placement/custom anodes. Didnt find the answers i was looking for.

My question deals anode placement for parts that are not regular (i.e. not squared, circular, round, etc.)

Take for example a sportbike swingarm: has mutliple angles, etc

Im sure the copper/nickle baths will throw far enough to cover most of the piece, may have to turn it a little to get it complete. However, the chrome doesnt throw quite as well as the copper. Where would place anodes to get a complete coverage (inside and outside of the swing arm).

If n e one is chroming things like this please leave me some feedback. I wont be getting into things this big for awhile since im just starting out, but i have alot of questions i tryin to clear up

[jimcarry]

Re: Anode placement?

I noticed that you have not gotten a replay to this question im wondering if you have this problem worked out if not let me know maybe I can help

[chromepl8tr]

Re: Anode placement?

I have been doing sportbike swingarms for years. You are talking about some of the most difficult hex chrome plating done. There is no set industry method for doing this. Everyone has their own techniqie. Hex chrome is the most unforgiving plating process there is. Anode placement and proper current application is trial and error. Stabilizing the anode so it is close but not touching takes imagination and experience. When you see swingarms that are done properly , it is usually done by a company that has resouces for rack design and building. They do swingarms repeatedly and have rack fixtures ready to use when a customer brings one or more to them. Since I'm a small shop I don't do too many swingarms unless there are a lot of other parts (footpeg,brackets,frontends and various other parts) to go with them. The money I make on smaller parts make up for the money losing time I spend on plating the swingarm. Start on small stuff and work your way up to the more difficult and complex sizes. Caswell has everything you need except the patience. You supply that.