Hard Chrome over Blemishes

[myusername]

I want to buy a H&K P7.

I've been looking at the ones at my local shop and the catalogs.

Some of these have finish issues. I know some of you have had Robar or Cobra Chrome finishes put on your guns. Is there anything to look for on a gun that would cause problems for the new finish?

Thanks

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[AZ Husker]

Tripp will smooth over any issue you have, and then apply the best hard chrome finish you can imagine!

[myusername]

Thanks. I'll do a search for them.

Ok. I didn't realize the name of the Cobra Chrome people was Tripp.

[QKShooter]

The secret to good looking Chrome is all in the surface preparation.
So basically the surface needs to be prepared perfectly before the Chome is applied.
Guns are difficult to do properly without grinding them up.
So do go with a plater that has a good reputation for plating firearms.
If you want Chrome as a final finish then refrain from buying any handguns that are deeply pitted.

[AZ Husker]

Absolutely correct. But...hard chrome will cover any blemishes better than any other finishes, except the spray and bake, which is only a temporary fix.

[QKShooter]

Do not go to a plater that does decorative Chrome.
That is the wrong type of Chrome for firearms.
Decorative Chrome is the type Chrome used for Furniture, Motorcycle, and Car parts. That is put on over a base of Acid Copper and then low concentrate Copper to fill in pits and then thesurface is polished back.
Great for car bumpers but, not for guns.

It is possible to fill in pitting on guns with Electroless Nickel or even weld metal and finishing up with hard Chrome but, all that prep work adds dollars to the final cost of the plating job.
So you'll save some money by buying a firearm in poor cosmetic condition but, you'll lose that savings on the plating end if you want a cosmetically perfect job and that would be due to increased labor hours cost.

[myusername]

Thanks for all the info.

[HK Dan]

You might look at ion bonding as well. They only do black, but it's tougher and more durable than hard chrome.

[Supertac45]

I'd spend a little more to start with and get a gun without any major blemishes.

[edr9x23super]

Check out Accurate plating and weaponry, or Checkmate Custom plating. they did the chrome on the gun you see as my avatar... very reasonable

[Sportsterguy]

I'll second AW&P. Used to visit their operation when I lived in Clearwater Fl. and they're a great crew. Great folks to deal with and their finishes are KA.