Anyone had any luck ageing chrome?

axisus

Either proper 'ageing', or maybe some process that looks like ageing?

When I say ageing I guess I mean getting something closer to how nickel looks when aged rather than just pitted chrome ...

WezV

Chrome doesn't age like nickel... pitting is what it does, whilst the remaining plating stays very shiny.

However, some physical abrasion prior to being suspended above acid can get you a decent worn look


Just hand polishing off some of the factory shine can help it not look so new

hollywoodrox

I seem to recall the use of plastic bags & acid or chemicals ,eg make like a little greenhouse 

  https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/is-there-an-absolutely-stone-cold-certain-method-for-aging-chrome-plated-guitar-hardware.2058045/

ICBM

axisus said:

When I say ageing I guess I mean getting something closer to how nickel looks when aged rather than just pitted chrome ...

If you want it to look like nickel hardware, replace it with nickel hardware.



Chrome looks nice and shiny, and stays looking nice and shiny... until it doesn't, and then it looks a bit shit.

Funkfingers

The chrome finish is electro-plated on top of a layer of nickel and, below that, a layer of copper.

If the pickup cover is separate from the bobbin and coil, it can be immersed in a dilute solution of acid to dissolve back to the nickel.

This procedure is hazardous. It should only be conducted if suitable precautions are taken.

sweepy

I thought white vinegar fumes d did  good job of dulling chrome, though I may be wrong 

DavidR

Chrome's pretty inert isn't it? It's an electroplate mostly - so it will crack/flake I suppose but wouldn't know how to do that. Heat? Otherwise it just gets dirty as the only aging. Chrome doesn't rust.

I recall cleaning all the traffic grot off the beautifully chromed hubcaps of an old Vauxhall Viva once and - underneath? perfect shiny chrome. Just like new. Lovely.

Vauxhall Viva HA. Let's go Viva! – Oldtimers in Auto Motor Klassiek (amklassiek.nl)

Interesting info. Chrome started to be used less on cars in the 1970's and 80's because most of it came from South Africa who were imposed with sanctions at the time. Then it never got back into fashion in the car industry that much.

Sorry @axisus - not very helpful.

elstoof

Stick the chrome parts in a bag with nails, nuts and bolts and shake it about a bit until it looks like it’s had a life, don’t try removing the shine as chrome shouldn’t lose it

axisus

ICBM said:

If you want it to look like nickel hardware, replace it with nickel hardware.

I would always buy Nickel if available, it looks so much better. Unfortunately more often than not it is not an option.

ICBM

axisus said:

I would always buy Nickel if available, it looks so much better. Unfortunately more often than not it is not an option.

Ha! My problem is the other way round, I much prefer chrome but so much of what you can get now is nickel...