Chrome plating aluminium

[Canuk]

Couple of questions to the expert finishers out there:

What's the advantages to chrome plating aluminium?

Is it durable, and in what way (corrosion wise) does it differ from plating steel?

I'm thinking of chrome plating a C Record 1st groupset, or a few parts thereof.

 

[bikeworkshop]

Chrome plated aluminium was popular in America - particularly on wheels.

There are no advantages, except its a little bit shinier for a year or 2.

Then corrosion gets between the two metals and lifts the plating off in razor sharp flakes and it looks totally horrible.

I have a mid century eames chair that does it.
you have to keep babies and animals away, or they will be cut to ribbons - and this was an expensive, professorial and experienced product.

Don't do it. Once you've done it, it's a nightmare to get it off.

It would be more sensible to chuck that record stuff on the fire

 

[Nob]

You may want to think about black chrome

 

[juvela]

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have a NOS chrome plated aluminum saddle pillar offered by Tecno Tubo Torino circa 1980

it did not receive enough finishing prior to plating so has a rather rough/cheap look


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[Canuk]

I quite fancy it on the brake levers and the seat post. Perhaps the calipers. I can get it done in exchange for beer

 

[Canuk]

You may want to think about black chrome

Now there's an idea... Century finish

 

[jim haseltine]

Original CLB Professional brake calipers had satin chrome plating. It was fairly brittle though.

 

[Canuk]

I know a good plater, who does aerospace stuff. I guess it depends what you put down first, before the chrome and how you prepare the aluminium beforehand

 

[foz]

Why not just polish the alloy parts? You can obtain a finish not far off the shinyness (is that even a word?) of chrome, without the risk of it delaminating

 

[Canuk]

I've seen some good results with chrome plate, might as well have a go!