Bright Nickel & Chrome Plating Birmingham Plating Co Ltd offers high quality Nickel plating on a wide range of steel products. Nickel provides the bright, level surface that is expected by customers who specify "Chrome Plate". A bright nickel finish on its own has only limited value as a protective coating: As the brightness is lost, a dull finish is the result as the oxide film increases in thickness. This oxide film does not prevent corrosion and if the conditions are not right, the corrosion on the component may take on a green colour as nickel salts are formed. The rate of corrosion depends on a variety of differing factors but the environment is the major influence on how long it will take for penetration to base metal. It is highly recommended that nickel plated parts be stored, and used, in warm dry atmospheres only. A lacquer film will help preserve the finish, but corrosion will be accelerated on any areas where the lacquer film is thin or damaged. Bright Chrome Plate Bright or Decorative chrome plating  is our specialty. It is one of the best barrier finishes that can be applied to steel parts. For normal decorative "Chrome Plate" a single layer of bright nickel is applied to the base material and then a thin layer of chromium is deposited. The thin layer of chromium does not add to the leveling or brightness of the finish but protects the nickel layer from oxidation and discolouration while it adds the characteristic blue/white lustre that gives "Chrome Plate" its unique appeal. The thin chromium deposit greatly improves the corrosion resistance of the finish. Chromium is extremely reactive and oxidises immediately when exposed to air. The transparent oxide film prevents any further attack occurring, it is also repaired quickly if a surface scratch breaks the film. Corrosion occurs on microscopic areas of exposed nickel, undercutting the chromium layer and results in "Rust Spots". Dust will accelerate this effect and so cleaning with a household spray polish on a regular basis can greatly lengthen the time taken for corrosion to penetrate the "Chrome Finish". We run our large, automated, chrome plating plant 24 hours per day. We specialise in high volume wire goods and tubular parts such as cooker shelves, kitchen baskets, shopfittings  and other industrial parts up to 3 metres in length.