Thanks everyone for the postings on this.
Back to my original post though, my conclusion is all the jukebox manufacturers of the time used poorer or cheaper chroming processes than the hobby chromers that we take our bits to to restore. All of the jukeboxes I have, have spent more of their life re chromed than they did wearing their original chrome and the re chrome is still immaculate whereas the original chrome didn't stand the test of time. Taking out harsher environments of a machine on site in a damp cold bar with beer chucked over it and general wear and tear, the original chrome hasn't lasted as good. Occasionally I see original machines with wonderful chrome so there's always exceptions.
Nigel
On 15 Feb 2024 at 07:31, Dan via Jukebox-list jukebox-list@lists.netlojix.com wrote:
There are so many variables in plating so there are probably a thousand reasons why plating can fail. It would take a pretty in depth analysis to figure out. If I had to guess I''d say the culprit could be the lack of a nickel plate under the chrome... due to cost cutting. Triple chrome plating usually means a copper strike then a heavier acid copper plate then nickel then chrome. The copper strike is a thin plate and it usually cyanide copper. This type of plating is more forgiving about cleanliness and is designed to produce a good base for any subsequent plating. The acid copper serves as a surfacer (like a primer surfacer in painting). It's where the high polish is achieved by buffing. The nickel serves mainly as corrosion protection. Chrome is a tarnish resistant decorative plate. Chromium plate does not provide good corrosion protection. This is because it's designed to have micro cracks... which are necessary because it's very brittle. It was discovered early on that chrome
plate without micro cracks does not perform well so it was designed to have controlled micro cracks. To cut costs the process would consist of a polished base, cyanide copper strike and then chrome... no nickel. Then there is what is known as "Korean War Chrome" which produced sub par plating due to government restrictions on strategic materials in the early to mid 1950's. In the 1980's and 90's I did electroplating in my hobby workshop... back before the days of the internet and Caswell. I learned from old books and made my own equipment, power supply, rheostat and electrolytes.
On Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 08:24:34 PM CST, ROBERT wilson via Jukebox-list jukebox-list@lists.netlojix.com wrote:
I had Speed Sport in Texas do some Rockola and Seeburg parts, Nice work but really expensive, I have more in the Seeburg chrome than what I can sell the machine for. I think the problem was plating pot metal. Has anyone used Vinyl Chrome ?
On 02/14/2024 2:16 PM EST Nigel Pugh via Jukebox-list jukebox-list@lists.netlojix.com wrote:
Hi All,
I think I've been on this site since the beginning and amongst everything discussed, chrome is definitely not at the top of the list.
I'm looking at my Rowe Tropicana, the jukebox I have owned the longest. Since 1984. I had it re chromed then, the original chrome was totally shot.
I have lost count of the number of Tropicanas I have repaired over the years and the chrome is always terrible on them and much later Rowe's.
So from 1964 to 1984 (20 years and terrible chrome). Had mine re chromed in 1984 (40 years so double the original chrome) and it's still 100 percent perfect. So my question is (taking environmental conditions and vandalism and wear and tear out of the equation), did Rowe Ami have rubbish chromers ?
Or indeed any jukebox manufacturer? Just a thought.
Nigel, uk
Jukebox-list mailing list -- jukebox-list@lists.netlojix.com To unsubscribe send an email to jukebox-list-leave@lists.netlojix.com %(web_page_url)slistinfo%(cgiext)s/%(_internal_name)s Searchable Archives: http://jukebox.markmail.org/
Jukebox-list mailing list -- jukebox-list@lists.netlojix.com To unsubscribe send an email to jukebox-list-leave@lists.netlojix.com %(web_page_url)slistinfo%(cgiext)s/%(_internal_name)s Searchable Archives: http://jukebox.markmail.org/
Jukebox-list mailing list -- jukebox-list@lists.netlojix.com To unsubscribe send an email to jukebox-list-leave@lists.netlojix.com %(web_page_url)slistinfo%(cgiext)s/%(_internal_name)s Searchable Archives: http://jukebox.markmail.org/