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How to prep aluminum or stainless classic auto trim parts for chrome plating?

Have a set of trim off the back of a 60 chevy that I want chromed. I put them in the blaster and cleaned them off...now what do I need to do to prep them for chrome? Do I need to leave them raw, or sand them down some?

Joe Jackson
student - St Louis, Missouri
July 27, 2008

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First of three simultaneous responses --

You take it to a qualified decorative chrome plating shop. I will bet that by blasting the part to save money that you have doubled the price of the job as they will now have to copper plate it and buff it before they can duplex nickel plate and finally chrome it.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
July 30, 2008

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Second of three simultaneous responses --

Any plating shop will prefer that you make no attempt to do anything. In fact most may refuse to work on them if you do. The plain fact is that you don't have the appropriate tools or skills.

Replating is a total process which includes many steps, and any shop will want to control all the steps.

Beyond that, taking parts you've worked on is a bit like taking your own eggs to a restaurant and asking them to cook your breakfast.

Jeffrey Holmes, CEF
Spartanburg, South Carolina
July 30, 2008

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Third of three simultaneous responses --

It's going to have the same texture after it's plated.
If it's pitted now, it's going to be pitted when it comes back. If you're after a mirror finish, then I'd suggest taking the parts to a polisher.

Marc Banks
Blacksmith - Melbourne, Florida
July 31, 2008

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August 11, 2008

Oh ! No ! Please don't do any more blasting on anything you want chrome plated or polished. Custom platers do not like to plate behind amateur polishing or prepping.
If you insist on doing some hands on work talk to a custom plating shop before you do anymore damage. There may be a few things you can do to save a few bucks or enhance the final finish. But still be prepared to pay. It is not cheap.
All of those parts need to be prepared in different manners. Don't just start blasting and grinding. You will make them extremely difficult or impossible to plate or repair.

Frank DeGuire
- St. Louis, Missouri, USA