DIY rechroming winches?

[fredrussell]

I’ve been quoted north of £300 to rechrome a pair of winches. There’s plenty of vids on YouTube re diy chrome plating by electrolysis and it looks straightforward enough. Any reason why I shouldn’t attempt it? Anyone out there done this?

 

[KevinV]

It's quite possible to do - I had a go years ago - BUT there are some nasty chemicals involved and I found disposal of those responsibly is almost impossible as a DIY'er

 

[rotrax]

Nickel, soft Nickel, dead easy.

Chemicals not too noxious.

Chrome however, especially show standard triple plating, very expensive. And produces noxious residue which needs expensive disposal.

 

[ducked]

Nickel, soft Nickel, dead easy.

Chemicals not too noxious.

Chrome however, especially show standard triple plating, very expensive. And produces noxious residue which needs expensive disposal.

If noxious chemical are involved I would expect that, as a "non-professional polluter" in The Yook you'd have trouble buying them anyway.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Any reason why I shouldn’t attempt it?

Yes. It's a serious health risk. Chrome plated parts have been banned on all new European cars for 2 years because of the health risk to workers. That's with professional PPE, monitoring and risk assessment. As a DIY'er you can't achieve the professional level of protection. £300 is a small cost to pay to protect your health.

https://www.osha.gov/hexavalent-chromium/health-effects

 

[fredrussell]

good points all - I’ll put up with them looking shabby for the time being.

 

[PCUK]

You'd need to really research any chrome plating companies as many are charlatans jus applying the minimum layer they can get away with which quickly polishes off.

 

[garymalmgren]

I had my winches professionally re-chromed in Singapore 40 years ago,
They came out very smooth and shiny.
I total failure.
Smooth shiny drums offer zero grip.

gary
.

 

[Martin_J]

And the other part of the process involves de-chroming .. or effectively removing the previous coatings before you start..

I also assume you need any electrodes (or whatever is used) to be placed correctly so that the chroming (and other prior coatings) cover the outside of the winch surface and not the inside where the bearings will be.

This previous thread shows mine after being re-done by a company in Fareham. If they're still around, they might fit your winches in with other chroming projects...

Re-Chroming recommendations.

 

[Tranona]

I had my winches professionally re-chromed in Singapore 40 years ago,
They came out very smooth and shiny.
I total failure.
Smooth shiny drums offer zero grip.

gary
.

The drums are usually knurled before chroming.

 

[captainboo]

I believe the gentleman in charge of this outfit is a sailor himself as I spoke to them a few years ago about getting mine done but didn't in the end as I upgraded to self-tailing.

Hard Chrome Plating - Hard Anodising - CNC Cylindrical Grinding - Plasma Spraying

 

[fredrussell]

I believe the gentleman in charge of this outfit is a sailor himself as I spoke to them a few years ago about getting mine done but didn't in the end as I upgraded to self-tailing.

Hard Chrome Plating - Hard Anodising - CNC Cylindrical Grinding - Plasma Spraying

Many thanks - will give them a call.