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Powder coating of chrome finishes

Our non-profit youth organization has marching drums with chrome rims and lug holders. I would like to have them powder coated to match one of our team colors. The one place in my town that does powder coating says that the coating will not stick to the chrome without making the surface "rough". When I contacted a local sandblasting company, they said the sandblasting process may shrink or stretch the rims; thereby effecting the fit and or sound of the drum. Are there any other processes or methods that can be done to "prep" the chrome before powder coating that won't damage the rims and lug holders? Could just lightly sanding the finish work? If so, what grit of sandpaper? Your response is greatly appreciated.

Pat Irons
Customer - Decatur, Illinois
October 13, 2009

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Hi, Pat. Sandblasting is the right approach, but your sand blaster is probably correct that overdoing it could be a problem. I think you need to talk to a powder coater who either does the blasting in house or has a good relationship with a sand blasting company, and experience in this. After the light blasting, the powder coating should stick.

But the best approach for maximum adhesion would be to have the nickel and chrome plating stripped, and then the raw steel phosphatized.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
October 13, 2009

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Ted,

Thanks for your prompt response. Looks like this will be an expensive project for our team. I have been told that there is a place here in town that can strip the chrome, but not the nickel. Since I am completely unknowing in this area, I'm not sure if I need two different businesses or if I should look for one business that can strip both the chrome and nickel. Is the stripping process very expensive?

Thanks again,
Pat

Pat Irons
- Decatur, Illinois
October 14, 2009

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Hi, Pat. The chrome is very thin and easy to remove and the nickel is quite a bit thicker. But stripping it is not an exotic process. Metalx (Ronatec.us) [a finishing.com supporting advertiser] offers a proprietary stripper and, if you are unable to find a plating shop in town, they can probably advise you who uses their nickel stripper and is therefore likely to offer nickel stripping services.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
October 15, 2009

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Thanks again Ted. I will continue to research area businesses and hopefully find one that can take on our project. I've seen powder coated drums in our area before, so I know it has been done. I'm probably just not looking in the right category in the yellow pages. I sincerely appreciate you help in answering my questions and hopefully the next time we talk, I'll have a picture of our new "columbia blue" drums!

Pat

Pat Irons
- Decatur, Illinois, USA
October 15, 2009