For OEMs looking for reliable, ongoing chrome plating services to companies needing to restore the chrome plating on used parts and components, finding the best service provider is always a concern.
Many different metal finishing services offer some type of chrome plating. For many, the services offered are the more decorative nickel-chrome plating that produces the highly reflective and bright surfaces on bumpers, wheels or other everyday chrome items.
For industry and parts, the preferred process will be hard chrome plating. When looking for chrome plating shops offering this type of plating, it will be essential to check out several different factors to be able to narrow your choices down to the right provider.
Specialization
When quality, dependability and on-time processing and delivery is a factor, choosing chrome plating shops that specialize in hard chrome plating is always the best option. These shops will offer additional features such as polishing, sandblasting and buffing, but they don’t offer additional plating or coating services other than the hard chrome plating.
With a specialized shop, the parts will be processed by technicians with the experience and expertise exclusively in hard chrome plating. This can not only ensure quality but also provide your company with the expertise of the entire shop.
Industry Understanding
Before contracting with any shop offering hard chrome plating talk to the staff about their experience in producing plated parts in your industry or specialization area. For example, some companies have experience in the military, defense, aerospace, automotive and medical industries while others may not.
Narrowing down your choice in chrome plating shops to those with a proven track record of working in industry will assist in troubleshooting before and during the procedure. These companies will be able to work to your specifications and requirements and will also be aware of applicable industry standards.
Additional Features
Depending on the type of work you have, it may be important to talk to the shop about the additional services and features they offer. Some shops will work with orders large or small, and they can even accommodate single pieces for prototypes or for repairing and restoring original equipment components.
There are also companies that are set up to handle large volume orders. This may include single large volume orders or ongoing orders for OEM parts and components. Additionally, you may need to ask about the ability of the shop to accommodate rush or Just-in-Time programs as well as any additional services you may require.
