Firearm Plating
Table of Contents
- Firearm Finishing Options
- Hard Chrome Plating for Firearms
- Electroless Nickel Plating for Firearms
- Contact Hard Chrome Specialists
You might think of firearms as rugged tools designed to withstand a lot of use and abuse. While firearms are built to last, they are also subject to wear and tear. Improper storage, lack of cleaning and exposure to the elements can damage the finish on a gun. For that reason, many people who own firearms decide to plate them.
Some types of firearm plating, such as gold plating, are purely decorative. Others, such as electroless nickel plating and hard chrome plating, offer functional benefits to a gun. Whether you are a current gun owner or are considering becoming one, you can learn more about the benefits of plating a gun and what your plating options are below.
Firearm Finishing Options
Firearm plating options range from decorative to functional. The difference between decorative and functional plating lies in their primary purposes. Decorative plating primarily enhances the firearm’s appearance, while functional plating provides a protective layer on the firearm’s surface to help prevent wear, corrosion and rust.
What Is Decorative Firearm Plating?
Decorative plating typically covers the gun in shiny metal. Silver and gold plating are two common examples of decorative plating for firearms. Gold or silver can be added to the entire firearm surface or only to specific areas. Although gold or silver metal offers some protection against wear and tear, people typically use this type of plating for show and aesthetic reasons.
Firearm manufacturers choose decorative plating to offer visually appealing options to customers. By incorporating these plating solutions, firearms can be personalized and customized to suit individual preferences, attracting buyers who value aesthetics and want their firearms to stand out.
Decorative plating also caters to the needs of collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate the craftsmanship and beauty of firearms. It adds high-end value to the finished product and makes it more desirable for those who view firearms as works of art. Decorative plating can enhance the overall aesthetic appeal and contribute to the uniqueness of a firearm, making it a sought-after item for enthusiasts.
What Is Functional Firearm Plating?
Functional plating provides a protective barrier that helps prevent potentially harmful elements from damaging a firearm. This plating ensures a firearm remains completely functional, particularly when exposed to moisture, humidity and other harsh environmental conditions.
Functional plating also increases the durability of firearms by reducing surface wear and tear. Excessive firing and handling can often cause friction and abrasion to unprotected firearms, leading to surface degradation. Functional plating materials offer resistance to abrasion, protecting the surface from scratches while helping maintain structural integrity over time.
In addition, functional plating enhances the longevity of firearms, reducing the need for frequent maintenance or repairs. This benefit can be especially beneficial for military and law enforcement applications relying on firearms to perform optimally in demanding situations.
If you’re interested in improving the functionality of your firearms or making them more resistant to wear, corrosion and rust, you’ll want to choose a harder plating option like hard chrome plating or electroless nickel plating.
What Are the Best Materials for Firearm Plating?
When deciding on the type of plating for your firearm, an important thing to consider is the gun’s material. Typically, firearms are made of one of the following metals:
- Aluminum: Plating an aluminum firearm often requires several more steps than plating other metals, especially if a gun owner wants to gold plate the gun. For example, an aluminum gun will likely require nickel electroplating before the gold plate can be applied.
- Stainless steel: Stainless steel firearms already contain more nickel and chromium than firearms made from steel alloys. They can still be plated with nickel or chrome to improve their durability and minimize corrosion.
- Steel: Steel is one of the most commonly used metals, although it isn’t particularly strong. Hard chrome plating or nickel plating improves a steel gun’s corrosion resistance.
Hard Chrome Plating for Firearms
Can you chrome plate a gun? Yes, but it’s definitely a job to leave to the professionals. Chrome plating a firearm involves bathing the gun in an electrochemical bath, then coating the surface with chromium. Before the plating process begins, the gun needs to be cleaned. Cleaning usually involves applying a solvent to the firearm’s surface to dissolve away grease, dirt and other debris. After being wiped clean, the gun is rinsed to remove the solvent.
Chrome plating a firearm is a precise process that requires ample expertise and know-how. When the firearm is in the electrochemical bath, the current must be well-controlled so the chemical reaction that pulls the chromium to the gun’s surface can occur, producing a well-adhered, hard layer. The chrome plating’s final result depends on the hardness level you want and the type of finish you’re after.
What Are the Pros of Chrome Plating a Gun?
The most significant benefit of hard chrome plating a gun is that it dramatically improves the firearm’s corrosion resistance. Guns are sensitive and can rust quickly in the right conditions. When stored in a humid area or exposed to moisture for an extended period, the gun will rust and corrode. While chrome plating your firearm isn’t an excuse to store it improperly or avoid other care measures, it can provide an extra layer of protection that extends your firearm’s usable life.
Even though hard chrome plating is more for function than form, it can enhance your gun’s aesthetics. The plating creates an appealing, shiny surface on the firearm.
What Are the Cons of Chrome Plating a Gun?
A potential drawback of chrome plating a gun is the cost of doing so. It’s a job for a professional since the process involves a lot of careful calibration and precision. If you don’t use your firearm much and store it properly when it’s not in use, the expense of chrome plating might not be worth it.
Electroless Nickel Plating for Firearms
Can you nickel plate a gun? Yes, but as with chrome plating, it’s a job best left to a professional. Electroless nickel plating is ideal for gun materials that aren’t as conductive as steel or stainless steel. It is also appropriate for steel guns.
Electroless nickel plating involves submerging the firearm in a solution containing a mixture of nickel salts, reducing agents and stabilizers. The solution initiates a chemical reaction where the nickel ions are reduced and deposited onto the firearm’s surface.
Unlike traditional electroplating, electroless nickel plating evenly coats the entire surface — including complex shapes and internal parts — with a uniform layer of nickel. The process provides excellent corrosion resistance, wear resistance and lubricity to the firearm. Additionally, the thickness of the nickel layer can be controlled to meet specific requirements.
What Are the Pros of Nickel Plating a Gun?
Since electroless nickel plating produces a more even surface on the gun, one of its benefits is that it provides excellent corrosion resistance. Although it doesn’t deliver a finish as hard as hard chrome plating, it does offer a much harder and more durable finish than the unplated firearm would have.
Another benefit of electroless nickel plating is that the process works on a wider variety of materials, including aluminum and plastic. Finally, it can help improve your firearm’s aesthetic appeal by creating a shiny, bright coating.
What Are the Cons of Nickel Plating a Gun?
As with chrome plating, a potential drawback of nickel plating a firearm is its cost. Nickel plating can be a good option if your gun sees a lot of use, but it might not be the right choice if you hardly use it. Another drawback of nickel plating is that the finished surface won’t be as hard as hard chrome.
If you are particularly concerned about durability and corrosion resistance and your firearm is made of a material that can be chrome-plated, hard chrome might be the better option.
How Hard Chrome Specialists Can Help
Whether you decide on chrome or nickel plating, the company you choose to plate your firearm makes a significant difference. At Hard Chrome Specialists, our team has decades of combined experience providing clients with hard chrome and electroless nickel plating solutions across various applications.
We can help you determine the most practical and effective plating solution for your firearm or other applications, whether you want to improve the appearance or enhance overall performance and functionality. Contact us today for a quote or additional information about our services.
