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Plating for Exterior Use

I have some spun brass parts that are now required for an exterior application. Our customer has now requested that we plate them to look like brushed stainless steel. For an architectural application, should I specify a nickel or chrome plating? Any advice would be appreciated?

David M. Cournoyer
- Medfield, Massachusetts
2003

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What you need is duplex nickel-chrome plating, which means semi-bright nickel plating followed by bright nickel plating followed by chrome plating. Chrome without nickel is not a decorative or corrosion resistant finish; nickel without chrome will tarnish to a yellow cast very quickly and will not have enough corrosion resistance for exterior use.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2003

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You must have your parts very lightly scratched brushed by the polisher then specify satellite nickel plating before chroming or if they have not got satellite nickel plain dull nickel then chrome. This will give you the look you want with the corrosion protection.

Hope this helps.

Mark Hunter
- Newcastle, Australia
2003