Bright Chrome Plating

/ / / Bright Chrome Plating

Improve aesthetics and protect with our Bright Chrome Plating – trusted by UK Businesses

If you have any questions regarding our services, please contact us by calling 0121 556 3636 or email us at [email protected]

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What is Bright Chrome Plating?

Bright Chrome Plating deposits thin chromium layers over intermediate layers of copper, copper alloys and nickel. This layering uses an electrolytic process to create an attractive, high-shine surface that is corrosion-resistant.

After first going through the nickel process, bright chrome can be applied to brass, steel, copper, aluminium, iron and stainless steel.
We provide commercial bright chrome plating services for large batch fabrication in automotive, aerospace, furnishings and other sectors.

Hexavalent Chrome Plating

The chromic acid process we use represents a major advance in decorative chromium plating technology, with greatly improved covering power, higher deposition rates and an attractive light deposit compared to other chromic acid processes.

Hex chrome plating is used for both decorative and functional finishes by submerging substrates in a bath of chromium trioxide (CrO3) and sulfuric acid (SO4).

The system is easy to maintain and uses conventional equipment and process cycles.

The Difference Between Decorative Chrome vs Hard Chrome?

The main difference is the thickness of the deposit.
Decorative chrome plating is mainly used for aesthetic appeal and as a protective coating, so it is only a thin layer, between 0.2-0.5 microns.

Hard chrome plating is thicker, between 5 – 12.7 microns. It is used in marine and industrial applications for its strength, wear resistance, corrosion resistance and other beneficial properties.

Bright chrome plating is used for decorative purposes and includes a nickel base layer under the chrome to determine the brightness.

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Reliable Hexavalent Chrome Plating Company

Merridale is one of the few licensed Hexavalent Chrome platers in the UK, adhering to Government and EU standards.

Our skilled team shares decades of expertise in automotive and engineering plating, providing bright chrome plating for batches of components. Manufacturers trust our plating to be consistent across hundreds of parts.

Our bright chroming service also treats interior fittings for lighting, as well as components for the leisure and entertainment sectors. We accept one-off parts for commercial customers, subject to minimum charges, as well as large batch orders. We work with some of the UK’s biggest companies.
We’re based in the Midlands, in Wednesbury, at the heart of the UK transport system. This allows us to serve clients throughout the UK with excellent turnaround times.

A Choice of Chrome Spec

Choose bright chrome plating to suit your application. We can scale hardness from an indoor-friendly, commercial finish up to Service Condition 4, a hard chrome finish that will withstand outdoor environments, with exceptional corrosion resistance. This condition is achieved by applying base layers of copper, semi-bright and bright nickel plating.

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Typical Applications of Bright Chrome

Bright chrome is typically used as a finish on components found in the following industries:

  • Automotive & Motorcycle components
  • Brewery equipment
  • Mobility frames and aids
  • Leisure sector parts such as beer taps and rails.
  • Door furniture
  • Electrical lighting & switch components
  • Bathroom fittings

Any brass, steel, copper, aluminium, iron or stainless steel parts may be suitable for bright chroming.

Technical Details

Bright Chrome provides a mirror finish quality to parts that is attractive and protective.

Typical Thickness range:

  • Decorative, Interior or Show Chrome: 0.2 – 0.5 microns
  • Hard, Industrial or Exterior Bright Chrome: 5 – 12.7 microns

Suitable Materials:

  • After going through the nickel process, bright chrome can be applied to brass, steel, copper, aluminium, iron and stainless steel.

Capacity Limits:

  • Our facility can handle parts up to 2.1 metres long and 1 metre deep.

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About the Bright Chrome Process

  1. The components are cleaned thoroughly and, if necessary, treated with chemicals to improve the adhesion of the plating.
  2. The components are then coated with copper (if applicable) and bright nickel.
  3. The components are submerged in the chrome plating vat, in a bath of electrolytic fluids including chromic acid and sulphuric acid.
  4. An electric current is run through the workpieces, causing chromium deposits to adhere at a rate of 25-30 microns per hour.

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Bright Chrome Plating Service FAQs

Check here for answers to common questions about our Bright Chrome Plating Service

With proper care, bright chrome plating should hold its shine and durability for decades. However, this depends on the thickness of the chrome deposit. A thin, decorative chrome layer can wear away after a few years, particularly on parts often exposed to friction.

Show Chrome is typically a thin layer that provides a small amount of protection, but improves the appearance of parts.
Industrial chrome is the same as hard chrome, a thicker layer with strength and very good resistance to wear and corrosion.

Please deliver parts in single pieces, fully disassembled and clean of debris. We will thoroughly clean and degrease the parts to ensure the plating adheres well.

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Bright Nickel Plating

What our clients say…

"Merridale provides a quality service, excellent communication and customer service. A pleasure to do business with!"

Ryan

"I would like to thank everyone for their support and friendly service and the high quality of work provided throughout the years of working together."

Lee

"We have been using Merridale for many years and have always had first class quality and service. Nothing is too much trouble and they are always prepared to go the extra mile."

Alec

High quality product
Nationwide service
Over 50 years experience
Competitive prices

Contact Information

Merridale Polishing & Plating Co. Ltd.
Units 1a/2 Brookside, Off Friar Street
Wednesbury, WS10 0RE

Phone 0121 556 3636
Email [email protected]

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