LEGENDZZZ Posted October 29, 2021 Report Share Posted October 29, 2021 hi um er... how do i repair chrome on hand tools and wouldnt stainless steel be better and cheaper than chrome cause its so weak and bad and how do i repair? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingless Posted October 29, 2021 Report Share Posted October 29, 2021 Welcome to the forum. The tool chrome is a multiple layer polishing and process applied to protect the base metal. Once the chrome has deteriorated then the restoration cost greatly exceeds the tool value. The steel used on tools is much stronger than stainless steel, leading to tools made from steel instead of stainless. It is possible to improve the appearance of chrome tools using metal polish, but the existing damage is permanent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LEGENDZZZ Posted October 29, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2021 wdym "Once the chrome has deteriorated then the restoration cost greatly exceeds the tool value."? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LEGENDZZZ Posted October 29, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2021 how do i fix the damage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingless Posted October 29, 2021 Report Share Posted October 29, 2021 There are many US companies offering chrome plating services. All are extremely expensive. The per part cost is improved by increasing the quantity of parts provided for that service. The typical end users are customizers of motorcycles, yachts and high end vehicles, where cost is no object. Here is one company offering chrome plating services. Note that this is not a DIY operation. The equipment is massive, power hungry, very specialized and the chemicals are extremely toxic. The (highly simplified) process is to polish the existing parts to a chrome like shine, removing all the existing chrome plating in the process. The bare steel is then plated in copper. The copper is then polished. There are then several types of chrome plating operations, w/ intermediate polishing, followed by the final chrome plating. Having a small part restored is very, very expensive, but the result will be amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LEGENDZZZ Posted October 29, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2021 wdym "Once the chrome has deteriorated then the restoration cost greatly exceeds the tool value."? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingless Posted October 29, 2021 Report Share Posted October 29, 2021 As an example, restoration of a small and simple to polish part may cost high hundreds to low thousands of dollars. Here is a link w/ prices. So, a cool old tool that might have cost $20 new, with a value of $5 doesn't make financial sense to throw $1K to make it look better than new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingless Posted October 29, 2021 Report Share Posted October 29, 2021 Here is a good link on the chrome plating process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LEGENDZZZ Posted October 29, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2021 chrome is bad tho isint it? and is kobalt better than stanley? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingless Posted October 29, 2021 Report Share Posted October 29, 2021 All my chrome tools have been fine. I have zero concerns w/ tool chrome plating and would not consider it "bad". I attempt to care for my tools so the long term condition remains acceptable. Most of my chrome plated hand tools are many, many decades old and are doing fine. The surface finish on the full combination wrench set and screwdriver set bolted to the engine room wall on my salt water boat has deteriorated over the years, but IMO that is an acceptable trade off to keep tools handy for quick service. No idea on Kobalt versus Stanley. I have both and they have been fine. My Stanley tools are decades older than my Kobalt tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LEGENDZZZ Posted October 29, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2021 I hae damaged chrome hand tool how do i repair for cheap or free? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingless Posted October 30, 2021 Report Share Posted October 30, 2021 Why not post picture(s) showing the problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LEGENDZZZ Posted December 8, 2021 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2021 camera wont catch but i have a vid on it here: skip to 3:50 but pause on 3:54 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Altan Posted January 5, 2022 Report Share Posted January 5, 2022 On 10/29/2021 at 4:52 PM, wingless said: Welcome to the forum. The tool chrome is a multiple layer polishing and process applied to protect the base metal. Once the chrome has deteriorated then the restoration cost greatly exceeds the tool value. The steel used on tools is much stronger than stainless steel, leading to tools made from steel instead of stainless. It is possible to improve the appearance of chrome tools using metal polish, but the existing damage is permanent. Perfect explanation! Nothing to add. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Altan Posted January 5, 2022 Report Share Posted January 5, 2022 One thing I can add here is to buy expensive and quality chrome plated hand tools from bands like Snap On, it is very rare to see the chrome plate is damaged on these brands. So basically you get what you pay for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LEGENDZZZ Posted June 8, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2022 On 10/30/2021 at 8:39 AM, wingless said: Why not post picture(s) showing the problem? if chrome is expansive then why does companys chrome thier tools? dont they loose money? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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