rechroming my BBS bolts a la ghetto stylz.....

[corradog60stage4 0]

the finished product

 

 

 

bolt originally are in this state. DIRTY

after being wirewheeled.

threaded part is hard to wirewheel and need to be individually passed on a die. So i made this contraption to facilitate this process when i'm watching television.

 

threads are clean

once the bolts are all clean they are ready to be chromed. My buddy works at a chrome shop so we do it during his break time at night.

in by the back door. why i feel greek?

it is not a mickey mouse operation.

they chrome all sorts of things

what is this for?

 

 

here are the vats

 

here is where the plating process occurs. they charge the item to be plated with electricity.

acid dip is to clean the metal before plating but it will not get rid of silicone, clearcoat, etc...

 

 

you need to string each bolt individually with copper wire. I wrapped the copper three times just underneath the head making sure the bolt rests vertical. this is probably the most time consuming task. each string holds about 8 bolts and there is like over 15 strands.

 

first is to dip the bolts into an acid wash

second is to wash it in a rinse

third is to plate it with copper first and rinse

 

fourth is chrome plating and rinse

fifth is second chrome plating and rinse.

then you are finished

before

 

after

 

there will be a few rings where the copper wire was wrapped will not be chromed.

[Jon_vr6 1]

amazing job fella would be interested in a set myself in the near future!

[corradog60stage4 0]

amazing job fella would be interested in a set myself in the near future!

 

 

well the finished chrome depends alot on the preparation and effort you put into it. If you want like a really mirror shine or what they call show chrome you would have to buff the bolts on a buffing wheel until they shine before you dip them to chrome for a super smooth glass like chrome finish.

i was lazy and just wire brushed it and it came out a bit satiny, which is okay for me.