Chrome’s unique advantages make it one of the most popular metallic finishes available in various industries.
The largest consumer of chrome is the automotive industry, which uses the material for vehicle trim and accessories. Chrome is becoming a more popular finish in other industries as well, and is now used to plate everything from household accessories to fishing lures.
Ever since chrome was discovered to be attractive and durable, it has been a valuable material for the automotive industry, used as a finish for wheels, trim, accessories and other components. When the industry started using plastic instead of steel for its frugality and lightweight durability, the only drawback was that it lacked the shine of metal parts.
This problem was solved during the 1970s when the electroplating process for ABS plastics was developed and plastic components were chrome plated to give them a high-gloss finish. Chrome trim reached its peak use in North America, where it was always most popular, in the late 1980s and early 1990s; since 1993, its popularity has increased by 50% in Europe and has almost doubled in the UK.
Chrome plating will not rust or corrode and is able to withstand extreme temperatures and weather conditions.
It’s also easy to care for and has a high-gloss mirror finish, all of which make it an ideal material for automotive trim and accessories.
Chrome plating can be done on new parts at the factory, or it can be done for the consumer at a custom job shop that provides metal finishing or custom plating services.
Consumers can obtain plated parts from many companies that specialize in electroplating, and some auto refinishers have extensive experience with chrome plating. Chrome plating is advantageous because plated components do not need to be scrapped if damaged, but can be restored or replated; This saves consumers time and money, reduces the cost of disposal, and eliminates the need to find and purchase replacement components.
Removing and re-plating a part restores it to like new or sometimes better condition and can be more cost effective than buying a new part. Recycling old parts reduces waste and is not only cheaper for the consumer, but also more environmentally friendly.
Chrome is also an ideal finish for home accessories, and for the same reasons that make it popular as an automotive finish. Many household items are now chrome plated, including faucets, sinks, bathroom fixtures, faucets, brackets, hinges, furniture trim, door handles, and many others.
Some items used to be plated with copper, silver, and other metals; these materials were aesthetically pleasing, but could be expensive and high maintenance. They also tended to be less durable, corroding, tarnishing, reacting with chemicals, rusting, or simply wearing out with frequent use.
Chrome is a beautiful finish and has none of these drawbacks, which has led it to replace many other coating materials for such accessories. Chrome plating is even used for some fishing lures, due to its durability, shine, and moisture resistance.
Chrome is versatile, beautiful, durable and low maintenance, making it ideal for a variety of applications in the automotive and home accessory industries. Its long-lasting beauty, ease of care and protective qualities have made it one of the most popular metallic finishes. It is the ideal coating material for consumers looking for a cost effective alternative to less durable aftermarket parts and finishes.
