Posted by Chad on July 11, 2000 at 04:55:46:
I got it made when it comes to chrome work. The company I work for has two industrial nickel/chrome platers. But better than that is PVD coating. I think some HD emblems are PVD'd (Physical Vapor Deposition). PVD won't scratch (not even SOS pads can touch it) or corrode, it uses pure zirconium which is more resistant than titanium. It's the same process they use to coat the tiles on the outside of the space shuttle for atmospheric re-entry. PVD doesn't just cover the surface like chrome it penetrates the surface and builds layers from there. And being done in a vacuum chamber with minimal contamination the coating is shinier and cleaner than chrome (depending on the condition of your substrate).
The cool thing about PVD is the control of the color, I can make it like polished brass, stainless steel, nickel plate, lighter or darker colors of chrome. All this at my disposal. And it won't tarnish (ever), heat, exhaust,dirt, bugs, etc. just wipes off. We put it to rigorous salt, and heat tests to check the quality. You'd be amazed how well this stuff stands up.
I did a set of Craftsman professional style wrenches (the smooth ones)in polished brass once. But in order to do the vacuum coat it has to be chrome first to level the surface. My dilema is I can't fit an exhaust pipe in.
My company does faucets, we call the finish Brilliance (trademark), somewhere there are shops that do individual PVD work, it is worth the money considering that it corosive free, retains it's shine much longer than chrome, and color can be changes to suit your taste. It's actually cheaper to operate PVD process than chrome but the technology is new to the decorative industry so I'm sure the price is high.
If you find a shop check with me on the details and I'll give you the real scoop, don't get duped.
Chromin it and lovin it
Chaddy