Process for preparing an object for chrome plating

Abstract

A process for chrome plating a non-ferrous object includes copper plating the non-ferrous object which has had burrs and surface irregularities removed. The surface of the copper plated object is smoothed, and copper plate irregularities removed, by moving dry abrasive media over the object for a pre-determined period of time. Typically, this is done by placing the copper plated object into a finishing machine having dry abrasive media therein. The object is then chrome plated.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A process for chrome plating a non-ferrous object, comprising the steps of: 
 plating the non-ferrous object;    removing plate irregularities and smoothing the surface of the plated object by moving dry abrasive media over the plated object for a predetermined time; and    chrome plating the object after the removing and smoothing step.    
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the plating step comprises copper plating the object.  
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1 , including the step of utilizing wet media to remove burrs and surface irregularities before the plating step.  
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the removing and smoothing step comprises placing the plated object into a finishing machine having dry media therein.  
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 4 , wherein the dry abrasive media is lightweight.  
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 5 , wherein the media comprises a resin or plastic abrasive media.  
     
     
         7 . A process for chrome plating a non-ferrous object, comprising the steps of: 
 copper plating the non-ferrous object;    removing copper plate irregularities and smoothing the surface of the copper plated object by placing the copper plated object into a finishing machine having lightweight dry abrasive media therein and moved over the copper plated object for a predetermined time; and    chrome plating the object after the removing and smoothing step.    
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 7 , including the step of utilizing wet media to remove burrs and surface irregularities before the copper plating step.  
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 7 , wherein the media comprises a resin or plastic abrasive media.