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Restoring a Big Game Fish Fighting Chair

I have an old fighting chair, heavy duty, that I want to restore. Metal has been chromed. I think metal is brass. Do you have any suggestions?

Cliff S [surname deleted for privacy by Editor]
fish camp - Naples and Big Pine Key, Florida
2003

Ed. note: Sorry, this RFQ is old & outdated, so contact info is no longer available. However, if you feel that something technical should be said in reply, please post it; no public commercial suggestions please ( huh? why?)

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September 23, 2009

Hi, Cliff. Chrome plating actual consists of layers of copper plating, followed by nickel plating, followed by chrome plating (which is done in a toxic and carcinogenic solution). It is generally not considered a do-it-yourself project. If interested, please see our Introduction to Chrome Plating for a good understanding of the process.

There are plating shops listed in our Jobshops Directory who would be very happy to do this project for you. However, there is the old issue of labor costs, where restoring one chair takes more man hours than plating five new ones in an automatic plating line. So, it is very doable, but might cost significantly more than you hoped.

After that, you may need to go to an upholstery shop for restoration of the padding and vinyl.

Best of luck!

Regards,

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

adv.