"Flash Chrome"...What is it really?

[Chuck G.]

I've thrown the term around for years. Was told many years ago that it was a "cheap" chrome finish, placed directly over the base metal. It did not use the "triple chrome" process of copper, nickel, and chrome. Am I correct? I'm getting another set of BB valve covers, and want to have them flash chrome replated. Hate to go to the chrome plater and ask him to do a lousy job!! What exactly is "flash chrome"? Chuck

[Jerry Clark]

Re: "Flash Chrome"...What is it really?

Good morning Chuck:

Happy Easter. I understand it as you, Chrome applied over raw steel. I don't know if the factory buffed it at all but don't believe they did, if they did it was minimal, ugly stuff. Ever wonder why if you purchased a Chevelle BB in 66 you got a chrome air cleaner and valve covers but if you spent twice as much and bought a Vette you got a black hat and orange covers?

Have a great holiday.

jer

[dale pearman]

Re: "Flash Chrome"...What is it really?

I'm pretty sure you got it right. No tripple plating just chrome over base metal. A much less known process is "smack chroming" wherein reverse polarity is used to deposit an even thinner layer of chrome on stainless steel. ALL stainless on C1 Corvettes was smack chromed including WHEEL COVERS. That's why we say "an original wheelcover exhibits an ice-blue hue instead of a yellowish tint characteristic of reproductions" in the judging manuals. GM found the smack chrome process much more cost efficient than the labor intensive polishing of stainless. All the stainless moldings, fender moldings, etc were "smacked".

Dale Pearman

[Joe L.]

Re: "Flash Chrome"...What is it really?

Chuck-----

One of the factors which affects the degree of lustrous finish that a chrome part exhibits, in addition to surface preparation and pre-plating, is the amount of time that the parts remain in the plating bath. The longer the parts remain, the thicker and more lustrous the finish. However, such treatment also "consumes" more of the chemicals in the plating bath as chrome salts are converted to chrome metal on the surface of the parts. Plating solutions, particularly chrome, are VERY expensive so the cost of plating is directly related to the thickness of the chrome applied.

I believe that the term "flash" refers to the fact that, to produce a thin, low-quality plated finish, the parts remain in the plating bath for a short period of time. Not quite "in and out in a flash", but on that order.