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Traditionally, plastic is plated with chrome in an electrolytic process after being pre-treated in an electroless process. In another process, vacuum metalizing, plating is achieved when metal bonds with plastic in a vacuum chamber.

Electroless Process

This first step of the chrome plating process coats plastic with electroless nickel by using a chemical solution to make the plastic conductive for the electrolytic process. The electroless process is completed in several steps in the following order: clean, etch, neutralize, apply a catalyst, apply an accelerator and add electroless nickel.

Electrolytic Process

After the plastic has been pre-plated using the electroless process, it is placed in a solution and subjected to an electric current to add the chrome layer. This is also a lengthy process that proceeds in the following order: sulfuric acid etching, semi-bright nickel application, a sulfuric acid bath, bright acid copper application, bright nickel application and finally, ending in the application of the chrome layer.

Vaccum Metalizing

Vacuum metalizing is a lower cost alternative for plating plastic. This method is physical rather than chemical and theor eliminates the need to use toxic chemicals in the process. During this process, the plastic part bonds with metal when placed in a special vacuum chamber, coating the plastic.

Driving on a flat tire, over a curb or through a pot hole will most likely result in your rim becoming bent or scratched. Operating your vehicle on a bent rim is more dangerous than you might think. Not only can it hinder your vehicles mileage and cause irregular wear on a tire but it can also lead to a blow out. The easiest and most cost effective way to repair a warped chrome rim is to fix it yourself.

Instructions

1

Lift the vehicle up using the car jack and remove the rim. Use a basic car jack unit if you dont have access to a hydraulic lift.

2

Deflate the tire and remove it from the rim. Its best to take the wheel to a tire center and have them take the tire off the rim using a hydraulic tire changer. If youre unable to reach a tire center you can manually remove the tire from the chrome rim by breaking the bead with a pry bar. Place a small piece of wood between the rim and the pry bar to avoid further damaging the rim.

3

Heat up the area where the rim is damaged with a blow torch for 2 minutes.

4

Place a wood block where the rim is bent and begin hitting it with a hammer or rubber mallet until the rim has been bent back into place. You may have to re-heat the lip of the rim several times as it tends to cool off quickly.

5

Reinstall the tire to the rim after the rim has been bent back to its original shape. Use soapy water or an industrial lubricant to ensure the tire slides back onto the rim quite easily.

6

Inflate the tire to its correct pressure and install the rim back on the vehicle.