Chroming

[Nucejoe]

Searched the forum for a walkthrough on chroming watch case, haven't found one yet, not good at searching personaly.

Such a walkthrough would be a useful addition to the library of knowlege on WRT forum.

Anybody hands on,  care to post a tutorial?

 

 

[HectorLooi]

I have been told that the process is so toxic that it is not advisable to attempt it. 

It used to be quite easy to get stuff chromed in the past, but nowadays very few shops are willing to do it. 

You could probably try motor repair shops that do a lot of chrome customization. 

[jdm]

40 minutes ago, Nucejoe said:

Searched the forum for a walkthrough on chroming watch case, haven't found one yet, not good at searching personaly.

As mentioned chromium plating is a toxic process and not commonly done at home. But nickeling can, with nice results too.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixoeGAZFBgk

 

[Ammar]

Hi

I don't really know much about the process but I've seen on youtube.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LwIDhQqRmHI

[Nucejoe]

Thank you all,  The question now is, durabilty of Nickel plating on a watch case, is it as long as Chrome. 

TIA

[eezy]

Be aware that some folk are allergic to Nickel, myself included.

Last time I wore a nickel plated watch I had a severe rash all the way up my arm which took about 3 weeks to clear - nickel poisoning.

[DFeryance]

Chrome is often plated over nickel so I doubt just nickel will be as durable. There are copy chrome options designed to look like chrome but not be as toxic or risky. But I also doubt they are as durable. I've been interested in the idea of rhodium plating a watch myself. Haven't tried it yet, but that could look quite nice like chrome does.

[Nucejoe]

Gold plating is appearing to be the best option by the minute, I wonder if that too gives off dangerous fumes. 

Discouraging how quick the plating on some of these cheapy watch cases wears out, I am afraid my home made chroming technology will wear out sooner. 

Thanks for you all's input, I am still all ears for more of your thoughts.

 

[eezy]

I have a hankering to try gold or silver leaf on a watch. I think it would be ok on a dial but making it durable on a watch case might be difficult. Maybe a couple of coats of spray lacquer.....

Otherwise cheap and easy to apply.

[AshF]

I've had a quick look into plating and found some readily available safe(ish) plating solutions.

These guys seem to have a good selection.  https://www.krohnindustries.com/cohler/earth-coat-cyanide-free-plating/