RK POLISHING. Professional Metal Polishing
R.K. Polishing is a Florida-based high polishing business with over a decade of experience polishing. We service many industries, both private and industrial, working with all types of metals. We also offer deburring services. Please, check our website at http://www.RKPolishing.com for more information. We hope to hear from you
понедельник, 1 сентября 2014 г.
воскресенье, 24 августа 2014 г.
четверг, 26 июня 2014 г.
вторник, 27 мая 2014 г.
RK POLISHING. Professional Metal Polishing : Chrome plating vs. high polishing: Pros and cons
RK POLISHING. Professional Metal Polishing : Chrome plating vs. high polishing: Pros and cons: Chrome plating or high polishing? Decorative chrome plating (as opposed to hard chrome plating used in industrial applications) ...
Chrome plating vs. high polishing: Pros and cons
Chrome
plating or high polishing?
Decorative chrome plating (as opposed to hard chrome plating
used in industrial applications) is the technique of electroplating a very thin
(millionths of an inch) layer of chromium onto a metal object. Because the
layer of chrome is incredibly thin, chrome plated parts are always plated with
nickel first, and then the chrome is plated over the nickel. The nickel plating
provides the smoothness, much of the corrosion resistance, and most of the
reflectivity, while the thin layer of chrome adds a bluish hue, protects the
underlying nickel from tarnish, and minimizes scratching. Listed below are a
few of the pro’s and con’s of chrome plating.
Pros :
It looks great! Chrome plated parts have a true mirror finish
with a slight tint of blue in it. To many, this look is quintessentially cool.
As a hard metal, chrome is resistant to scratches and swirl
marks, so it should look great for years.
Because it is a hard metal, it is also easy to care for. You
can wash and polish it without worrying about scratching it up. Plus, as the
layer of chrome provides a protective barrier for the underlying nickel, rust
and corrosion should not be an issue.
Cons:
Chrome plating is expensive as hell. Plating a 21” motorcycle
rim can run as much as $500.
If chrome plating does become scratched or damaged, it is not
possible to spot treat the problem; the entire part must be stripped of its
plating (around $100, usually) and then re-plated. So, if some knucklehead
knocks your bike over and scratches up your pipes or a pebble out of nowhere
dings your chromed bumper, you have to either live with it or part with a tidy
sum.
Even worse your chrome plating sustains enough damage to break
through to the nickel, you will have serious problems with corrosion, as the
electrochemical reactions from the plating process can force the underlying
metal to corrode more rapidly.
Chrome holds heat. No big deal for a wheel, but chrome out your
alternator, and you are asking it to fail.
Plating adds metal. If there are tight tolerances to respect,
then chrome plating may be an issue, as it adds metal on top of metal. With an
exhaust pipe, this may not be a problem, but if you want to have your pistol
plated, those extra millimeters of metal on the slide may inhibit its ability
to move freely along the rails, resulting in jams and even possibly explosion.
Because plating adds metal, it also adds weight. This may be an
issue depending on the amount of chroming done and the type of parts in
question.
Is high
polishing a viable alternative to chrome plating?
High polishing is the technique of using abrasive wheels and
compounds to achieve a mirror finish on metal surfaces. By polishing the metal
smooth on a microscopic level, light is reflected back to the eye instead of
being refracted away by microscopic incongruity in the metal’s surface. It is
like the difference between looking into a pool of still water and looking into
rippling water. What high polishing does is smooth out the ripples so the light
reflects back to you, thus, showing your reflection.
Pros:
It also looks great! High polishing can also produce a true
mirror shine, but unlike with chrome plating, there is no bluish tint, but
instead a pure white shine.
High polishing is inexpensive. The 21” wheel that can cost $500
to plate will only cost around $100 to polish.
Unlike with plated parts, a scratch or ding on a polished part
can be spot repaired for a minimal cost and made to look just like new again.
Anything that gets plated gets polished first. In order to
achieve a perfectly uniform finish with a plated part, the metal must be
perfectly uniform (no scratches or dings) before plating, otherwise, all of
these imperfections will show through the plating. So, you have the option to
have your pieces polished, and then take a look. If you like the results, then
maybe the minor upkeep necessary with polished parts will make it worthwhile to
save the hundreds or thousands you would shell out for plating. If not, your
parts are already polished, so they should be less expensive to plate, should you
choose to.
Cons:
Unlike chrome plated parts, high polished parts are prone to
scratching. You must be very careful when washing and buffing your high
polished parts, as a single grain of sand or dirt on your towel can leave your
part covered in swirl marks. There is, however, the option to have a clear coat
of powder coating applied, which will seal and protect the finish.
Because high polished parts do not have chrome’s protective
coating, they require upkeep to preserve their like-new finish. Aluminum’s
porosity, for example, opens it up to oxidation, so you should always wax your
polished aluminum after washing it. This will help to prolong its shine. Again,
powder coating your parts after polishing will protect them from corrosion.
As you can see, there are definite benefits and drawbacks to
both chrome plating and high polishing. I hope that this information will help
you to make a more informed decision when choosing between them. Should you
choose to have your parts high polished, please, take a moment to view our site
at www.RKPolishing.com and see some samples of our work.
среда, 21 мая 2014 г.
How to Clean Brass
Tips for cleaning brass
Tarnished brass is ugly! Luckily, most tarnish can be removed in a few easy steps.
1. Brass often has a clear lacquer on it to protect it from corrosion. This protective coating wears away in time, leaving the underlying metal exposed to the elements. If there is old lacquer remaining on your brass parts, it must be removed. There are many commercially-available products for paint and lacquer removal.
2. Once the old lacquer is removed, the parts must be washed in soapy water to remove chemical residue and any dirt.
3. Any remaining tarnish can be removed with a mixture of white vinegar, table salt, and hot water. Add 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 2 tablespoons of salt to 2 cups of hot water. Use a hand towel to scrub the parts with the mixture.
4. After the tarnish is removed, wash the parts again in warm soapy water to remove any residue.
5. Dry the parts thoroughly.
6. To provide lasting protection, the parts should be re-lacquered. There are many commercially-available spray on lacquers that are both easy to use and highly effective.
7. For parts that are heavily or extensively tarnished, the services of a professional metal polishing and restoration company may be needed.
Source http://www.rkpolishing.com/#!metal-polishing-blog/c1z0d
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