Auto Parts
Chrome Plating For Your Chrome Rims and Other Auto Parts
Chrome rims and other chrome parts are often used to improve the appearance of vehicles. The bright decorative finish of chrome plating is very familiar and enhances the appearance as no other method of customising your ride can. Chrome plating is used on exhausts, handles, mirrors and trims as well as on the very popular chrome rims. Chrome plating is not just used for decoration however. The protective coating of the chrome makes the technique of chrome plating useful for other applications. Chrome plating can be used to protect pistons and other engine parts.
Chrome plating consists of applying a thin layer of chromium on to an iron, copper or other base metal to give a protective and decorative finish. Chromium itself is a reactive metal that reacts readily with the oxygen in the air. Unlike iron which forms a very unstable oxide that flakes and falls apart chromium oxide is hard and stable and forms a protective layer which prevents the underlying metal from corroding.
Different electroplating techniques are used to produce different effects. The shiny highly decorative finish that we are all familiar with on chrome rims and other auto parts is known as bright chrome. Other variations are black chrome and hard chrome.
Bright chrome is used when a decorative finish is required, on car rims for instance, and is applied fairly thinly. Decorative chrome is applied after a nickel coating is plated to a base of steel, copper alloys, steel and aluminum alloys and plastic. The nickel provides the luster and the chrome provides the hardness and protection. This kind of process is used for auto parts, jewelry, hardware, hand tools and appliances.
Black Chrome
For black chrome an underlying base of metal is plated with bright or mate nickel then the chromium plating applied over this. Black chrome is not as hard as bright chrome and not so long lasting. It is often oiled or waxed to improve the appearance. Black chrome is used in some auto parts, solar panels and some gun sights and other optical components.
Hard Chrome
Unlike the other types hard chrome is not used to give a decorative finish but to give a very long lasting protective coating for pistons, hydraulic rods, cylinders and other engine parts. The chrome is plated more thickly than for the decorative finishes to make a strong protective layer.
The Electroplating Procedure
Before the object can be plated it must be cleaned thoroughly by degreasing the cleaning manually to remove any debris and impurities. Sulphuric acid or other strong acids are also used. Other pre-treatments may also be used. Once cleaned the object is suspended in the plating solution. For bright chrome a solution of sulphuric acid and chromic acid is used and for black chrome, chromic acid with acetic acid and barium acetate. The temperature of the bath must be kept within 45C to 50C for bright chrome and 32C to 46C for black chrome. The thickness of the plating is controlled by the current used.
Frequently Asked Questions
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QUESTION:
auto parts?
hey does anyone the name of the worlds biggest junkyard and if they have a website or anyone no of some good auto parts websites for an 1974 chevy c10 pickup-
ANSWER:
http://car-part.com/
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QUESTION:
Auto Parts?
Hello. I want to purchase some tune up parts for my 1999 lexus es300 with 82000 miles. Which site or place is best to purchase parts....which has good parts, not some cheaply made parts?Thanks
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ANSWER:
I always use Advance Auto Parts. Their online also and they dont have alot of the China crap that alot of other parts stores sell you cheap. Get good replacement parts and they will last and save you headaches down the line.
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QUESTION:
Auto parts?
Would 1995 honda passport parts fit on 1995 isuzu rodeos since the motors and body parts are very similar?The exact part is a power steering pressure line hose system
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ANSWER:
Yes all mechanical parts are interchangeable on those 2 cars without a doubt
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QUESTION:
What auto parts stores do free diagnostic testing?
My check engine light came on while i was driving. I was wanting to take it somewhere to get it scanned to see what caused the light to go on and i was wondering which auto parts stores do it for free? Does brakes plus do it?-
ANSWER:
None do "free diagnostic". Some do free "code reading" which is not even remotely the same thing. Code reading is just a matter of saying "your engine is running lean" or " you have a random misfire" or whatever the problem is. That by itself tells you almost nothing. Diagnostic is the art and science of finding out WHY you have the particular problem. Parts store guys don't do that. All they can do is suggest parts to replace that MIGHT help with the problem but usually won't.
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QUESTION:
Is it cheaper to buy auto parts before a mechanic installs them?
Does a mechanic (not a dealership) typically add 10% or so to the price of a part (timing belts, water pumps, etc.) or do they just charge what they paid for it? I was just wondering if it's cheaper to stop at O'Reilly Auto Parts, or the like, and pick up the part and give it to the mechanic to install it.-
ANSWER:
In many cases, yes it would be cheaper for you to buy parts on your own. Unfortunately no mechanic or shop in their right mind will install them. This is solely for liability reasons, they cannot guarantee workmanship or the quality of the part if they do not supply it.So in short, yes...it's cheaper. Will they install them for you? Not unless they're a shady operation...period. In addition a large shop or dealer will purchase the parts at a lower rate (they move volume) and then mark it up anywhere from 10 - 90% depending on the part. A small part won't get much mark-up, a larger part will get around 25%.
Now, you can help yourself out a bit. Get online and price the parts you think you need and take a printout of these prices to the mechanic/dealer. This will aid in ensuring you don't get screwed on parts pricing.
Hope this helps!
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