Which metals can be chrome or nickel plated?
Almost every metal used in furniture can be plated, but not in the same way. The base metal decides the preparation route, the risk of adhesion problems and part of the price. Here is what to expect for each.
Our scope: Serel Metal plates sheet-metal and iron (steel) parts. Aluminium, zamak and stainless steel plating are not part of our services; they are covered here as general technical information.
Why the base metal matters
Electroplating only works if the new metal bonds to a chemically clean, active surface. Each base metal reacts differently with cleaners, acids and plating baths. Some form oxide films within seconds, some dissolve in the wrong bath, and some contain pores that trap solution. Choosing the right route for the base metal is the first step to a finish that lasts.
Steel
Cold-rolled sheet, tube and bar are the backbone of furniture legs, bases and frames, and the most common base for decorative chrome and nickel. Steel plates well once it is properly degreased and activated. One rule matters: acid copper cannot be applied directly to steel, because it forms a loose immersion deposit. A strike layer, typically cyanide copper or nickel, goes on first.
Welds and laser-cut edges need attention before plating. Weld spatter, scale and burrs show clearly under bright nickel, so grinding and polishing are part of the preparation.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel resists corrosion because of a thin, self-healing chromium oxide film. That same film prevents plated layers from bonding. A special acidic nickel strike, often called a Wood’s nickel strike, removes the film and deposits nickel in one step, so the following layers can adhere.
Stainless is often plated when a gold-tone or black finish is wanted on a part that must also stay rust-free where the coating is worn.
Brass and copper
Brass and copper are among the easiest metals to plate. They clean and activate readily and accept nickel and chromium directly. They are common in handles, decorative trims and premium hardware, where their weight and machinability are an advantage.
Zamak (zinc die-castings)
Zinc alloy die-castings are popular for handles, knobs and decorative fittings because complex shapes can be cast in one piece. They are, however, reactive and can have surface porosity. Like steel, zamak must not go directly into acid copper; a cyanide copper strike is the standard first layer. Good castings with a sound, non-porous skin are essential, because blisters often start in hidden casting pores.
Aluminium
Aluminium forms an oxide film almost instantly in air, which blocks adhesion. The standard solution is a zincate pretreatment: a thin zinc immersion film that protects the fresh surface until the nickel strike is applied. Difficult alloys get a second, double-zincate step. Aluminium can be plated to a high standard, but it is the most process-sensitive of the common furniture metals and is usually priced accordingly.
Plating or powder coating?
Not every part needs plating. Where colour range, outdoor exposure or impact resistance matter more than a metallic look, electrostatic powder coating is often the better choice. Our sister company Erhun Metal powder-coats in the same İnegöl industrial zone, so both finishes can be planned together for one project.
Manufacturing and plating in one place
Because Serel Metal is the plating arm of Erhun Metal, customers can source the part and its finish from one partner: laser-cut and formed steel components, mechanisms and fittings from Erhun, plated by Serel in İnegöl, Bursa. Fewer hand-offs mean shorter lead times and one point of responsibility for quality. Our plating lines are set up for steel components; for aluminium, zamak or stainless steel parts, a specialised plater for that material is the right choice.
Glossary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Strike | Thin first layer that secures adhesion |
| Wood’s nickel strike | Acidic nickel strike used to plate stainless steel |
| Zincate | Zinc immersion film used to prepare aluminium |
| Immersion deposit | Loose metal film formed without current; poor adhesion |
| Zamak | Zinc alloy used for die-cast fittings |
Frequently asked questions
Can stainless steel be chrome plated?
Yes. Its passive oxide film is removed with a special nickel strike, after which nickel and chromium can be applied.
Can aluminium be chrome plated?
Yes, after a zincate pretreatment and a nickel strike. It requires tighter process control than steel.
Why does plating peel off zinc die-cast parts?
Common causes are skipping the cyanide copper strike, porous castings that trap solution, or poor cleaning. Each produces blisters or peeling.
Sources and standards
Need plated furniture components?
Chrome, nickel, gold, rose, smoked, copper and antique finishes on legs, bases and fittings, produced in our İnegöl plant. Send a drawing and we reply within one business day.