Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[UKdave2002]

Have been repairing my Morris 8 series E grill today, on the rear it has brackets which hold the screws that attach it to the body. These (unseen when fitted) brackets are soldered on and I have repaired them by re-soldering.
The grill needs re-chroming am I right in assuming that I should have done the solder repairs prior to re-chroming? In other words when the grill goes off to be re-chromed and they presumably stick it in some thing that removes the old chrome? Will this affect my new soldered joints?

Dave

[Scotty]

Hi Dave,

The removal of old chrome / nickel I believe is the reverse of putting it on - they reverse the electro-plating process. I would imagine providing your soldering is well bonded onto the two parts then it may not be a problem. However, I don't know what the reaction will be to the soldering metal during the plating removal process as its a very caustic solution platers use, not to mention the electrical currents passing through the joints might eat away the old plating metal under the solder if there are seep holes.

Hopefully Uncle Joe or one of the other members is more up to speed on this subject, but if not then I would recommend an in-depth discussion with your platers prior to committing yourself.

[Uncle Joe]

Hi UK,

Tricky question.

I would do as Scotty suggests, have a chat to the company that is going to do your rechroming.

What I have done in similar circumstances in the past is one of two things. Either 1: Get it stripped, take it home, do the repair using either silver solder or braze, then get it re-chromed. Or 2: Get it rechromed, when its back home, wash it carefully in warm, (preferably acidified, if possible) water, then do the repair using the usual zinc chloride flux and 60% tin solder.

Is this of any help?

UJ