Subject: Re: chrome and steel wool
Author: Ross
Date: Dec 7, 2001, 3:09 PM
Post ID: 1709101920
on 12/7/01 09:20, Tom Bowes at kk-@home.com wrote:
| I am not sure if your comments are an endorsement of the steel wool method, or not. |
Absolutely against. I sell into that industry, but I am not a plater. The
reflectivity/depth comes from the polishing prior to the plating (including
work they do with the nickel and copper substrates) and the leveling of
each substrate and finally the chrome. Decorative chrome is a "flash", thin,
so any use of abrasives shortens the life of the chrome, and, honestly,
dulls it (I realize that if the chrome is dull already some polishing
compounds can actually improve the look). Most platers recommend only mild
(near neutral pH, high and low pH will remove the chrome) soaps and soft
cloth for cleaning. Solvents can be used to remove oils and tars, but
washing all the grit off first is a good idea, again to avoid fine scratches
that dull the chrome.
If you have rust coming through, then the plating is failing and pitting or
flaking will result. If you look closely, shining a light at various angles,
and see a yellow tint, then the nickel is exposed and will corrode
eventually. The chrome is gone.
Personally, I like the look of nickel (yellow chrome one might say) and have
all my linkage done in polished nickel. Electroless nickel in fact to
tighten the linkage up a bit.
Anyway, that's my two cents.
Regards,
Ross