Chromed at home

Chroming of parts at home is one of the most favorite activities for many people. But do not forget that the hobby is very dangerous for health. The fact is that chromium plating and nickel plating are two complex processes that are performed with the help of chemical-thermal and electrochemical treatments. Such processes, as a rule, are made in factories with the help of specialized equipment. But this does not mean that this can not be done at home with their own hands.

In order to carry out chromium-plating at home, it is first necessary to have a container covered with enamel at hand. The most striking example of such a capacity will be a conventional enamel saucepan, which for sure is home to every owner. Also, for the chrome process of the house parts, you will need a blowtorch, some of the chemical solutions, and, of course, a good knowledge of the chemical processing processes. In other words, you need to know what chemical elements to use for a particular type of metal that will be chromium-plated. Still, one must know very well the sequence of processing.

Before the beginning of the chrome plating process, at first, you need to prepare the parts, which will be subjected to chemical treatment. First of all, they need to be polished and degreased. This must be done to remove all the organic contaminants that are currently on the parts. At home, this can be done by the method of processing parts in a hot alkaline solution, or, rinse the parts with a powerful cleaning solution. Then, it is necessary to isolate on the part all those parts that will not be subjected to the chromium process. In this case, lead can be the material for isolation. This chemical element is resistant to the electrolyte, and therefore it will not be subject to the chromium process.

The next step in the process of chrome plating at home, will be the installation of parts. To mount them you need to suspend, or other devices that contribute to an impeccable supply of current to the parts. Such devices must properly contribute to the current supply, and its distribution throughout the entire area of the chrome part. Contacts for chromium plating should be very reliable, because significant currents will pass through them, therefore, their role in this process is one of the most important. Yet, in this process, it is very important to know that the parts whose chrome lining is exposed to the outer surface should not shield each other.

After completing all the preparatory steps, you can proceed and to chrome plating. To do this, you need to lower the prepared parts in a bath filled with pure chromium oxide, water and free radicals, due to which you will get high-quality chrome parts of the house. After the bath, the part needs to be removed, but you do not have to do it with bare hands, because the chemical elements contained in the bathroom can get severe skin damage. When the part gets cold a bit, it needs to be thoroughly polished, thus removing unnecessary deposits from its surface. By and large, this is chromating in the home.

But in no case should we not forget about the security measures, and especially in the room, which directly and will be chrome at home. The entire process of depositing chromium on the part is accompanied by intensive release of oxygen and hydrogen. Plus, thousands of droplets of electrolyte, which condense into the fog, and stand above the mirror of the bath, greatly irritate the mucous membranes of the body, which in the future can lead to very terrible consequences. Proceeding from this, chrome-plating at home is worth producing in a well-ventilated room. Or, you should stock up with protective materials such as a respirator, and a protective suit that helps to avoid contact of the electrolyte with the skin.