Candy Chrome

Chrome has long been a popular finish for automotive and motorcycle parts, as well as many household items, because of its beautiful shine, the depth of its reflectivity, and low required maintenance. In terms of functionality, chrome is extremely resistant to corrosion, will not oxidize, and can withstand harsh environmental conditions, which is another reason for its popularity in the automotive industry.

Many people operate under the misconception that chrome only comes in the traditional silver color; however, colored chrome, or candy chrome as it is sometimes called, has become a popular option for many car and motorcycle enthusiasts, as well as for household decor.

Candy chrome is the nick name given to a finish which is achieved via a combination of two processes: electroplating and color spraying. Chrome is actually a shortened term for chromium, a naturally-occurring metallic element.

Chrome is most commonly used to plate metals like brass, or steel, but can also be applied to plastics, aluminum, copper, or stainless steel substrates. Chrome is one of the best and brightest metallic finishes; it is also more attractive because it has a bluish tinge, whereas some other finishes have an unattractive grayish or yellowish tint. The reflection seen in chrome is more specular, meaning that even objects far away from the plating's surface are reflected clearly and accurately.

There are two basic methods for the application of chrome. The first is hard chrome plating, which is a functional application; the other is decorative or nickel-chrome plating, so called because it always involves a strike layer of nickel under the chrome.

The nickel layer is relatively thick, and provides the finish's smoothness, corrosion resistance, and reflectivity. The thicker the nickel layer, the higher the quality of the finish; sometimes, two layers are used. In comparison to the nickel layer, the chrome is incredibly thin, and it serves to enhance the reflectivity of the nickel.

The chrome layer also provides the bluish tint to the finish, as the nickel has a yellowish tint. "Show chrome" is a term sometimes applied to chrome plating that is of a high enough quality to be, for example, on cars in a car show.

It is sometimes stated that a layer of copper under the nickel, buffed to a full luster before the application of the nickel, will help to achieve this high-quality, ultra-bright finish.

To create the candy chrome finish, a clear coat is applied to the chrome or nickel* plated surface, which is colored with a dye. (In fact it is said that spraying the colour over the nickel gives the best result - but the finish is still dubbed candy chrome, even there is no actual chromium used).

Candy chrome can be produced in a wide variety of colors - blue, green, pink, multicolored, and black are just some of the colors available. The dye is mixed with the clear-coat, which is then sprayed onto the chrome or nickel finish. Because chrome itself has no color, and only reflects the colors that are around it, the dyed clear-coat imparts a deep and rich color to the finish.