How to re-chrome an anchor windlass!

Summary

In this DIY video, the host tackles the restoration of a worn-out, chrome-plated cap stand on their boat. After stripping off the old chrome using muriatic acid, they attempt a home nickel-plating process using vinegar, nickel anodes, and a small power supply. Despite some challenges and failed attempts with sandblasting, the project culminates in a successful nickel-plating that leaves the cap stand with a shiny copper finish. The host explores alternative techniques, such as using a clear coat for protection, ultimately creating a polished, unique look for their boat's cap stand.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker is restoring an old, worn-out capstan (windlass capstand) from their boat by stripping off the old chrome and replating it.
• 😀 The goal is to make the capstan look new again, despite it being rarely used, by performing a DIY chrome-removal and nickel-plating project.
• 😀 The speaker tries multiple methods to remove the old chrome, including sanding, chemical stripping with muriatic acid, and sandblasting, with varying degrees of success.
• 😀 Muriatic acid is used to strip the chrome, with a 31% solution being preferred over a 10% solution for more effective results.
• 😀 The process of nickel-plating involves creating a homemade solution using nickel anodes, vinegar, and a small power supply, with an aerator to keep the solution moving.
• 😀 The speaker uses common household vinegar as the base for the nickel-plating solution and adds nickel anodes, jumper cables, and salt to enhance the plating process.
• 😀 The use of a low-voltage power supply (initially a phone charger) and later a more powerful laptop charger helped the plating process move faster.
• 😀 The muriatic acid bath took hours to strip the chrome, and after 16-18 hours, a small amount of chrome was removed, with no damage to the underlying bronze.
• 😀 Sandblasting with aluminum oxide and using a sandblaster ultimately failed to remove more chrome, partly due to the limitations of the equipment.
• 😀 The final result of the nickel-plating process yielded a nice sheen, with the speaker considering leaving the capstan in its new, shiny copper-like bronze state rather than rechroming it.
• 😀 The speaker reflects on the process, admitting the final product looks attractive and considering clear-coating the bronze for protection to avoid oxidation.

Q & A

Why did the creator choose to rechrome the cap stand instead of replacing it?

The creator chose to rechrome the cap stand because they didn't need to replace it entirely. Although the cap stand was worn out, it still functioned well enough, and they felt upgrading it would be more cost-effective and fun than replacing it.

What is the composition of the cap stand, and why is that important for the rechroming process?

The cap stand is made of bronze, a mixture of copper and tin. This is important because the creator wanted to strip the chrome off without damaging the underlying metal, which would be suitable for nickel plating after the chrome removal.

Why did the creator choose muriatic acid for stripping the chrome off the cap stand?

Muriatic acid was chosen because it is effective in stripping chrome from metal surfaces. The creator opted for a stronger 31% solution, which is more effective than the 10% solutions commonly sold at places like Lowe’s and Home Depot.

What safety precautions did the creator mention while working with muriatic acid?

The creator emphasized the need for gloves, eye protection, junky clothes, and even a respirator when working with muriatic acid due to its hazardous nature, especially since it can cause blindness if it contacts the eyes.

How did the creator plan to make the nickel plating solution?

The creator planned to make the nickel plating solution using nickel plates as anodes, vinegar as the electrolyte, and a low-voltage power source. This DIY approach allowed them to create the plating solution more cheaply and as a fun project.

What modification did the creator make to the power supply for the plating process?

Initially using a low-voltage phone charger, the creator upgraded to an old laptop power supply (20V, 5A) because the larger volume of plating solution required more power for effective plating.

What did the creator observe while setting up the plating process?

The creator observed that the nickel was transferring from the anodes to the cathodes, creating a build-up on the cathode (the cap stand), and the electrolyte solution turned a bluish-green color, indicating that the plating process was working.

Why did the creator use salt in the nickel plating solution?

Salt was added to the solution to help improve the conductivity and efficiency of the plating process, allowing better transfer of nickel from the anodes to the cathodes.

What did the creator find when testing the plating process with a penny?

When testing the plating process with a penny, the creator found that it successfully plated with a nice, shiny coating. The nickel deposit had a dark silver hue, which was different from what they expected, likely due to the copper pipe they were using for the experiment.

What did the creator decide about the cap stand after successfully nickel plating it?

After successfully nickel plating the cap stand, the creator was impressed with its appearance and decided to leave it as is, instead of rechroming it. They considered applying a clear coat to preserve its shiny copper color and prevent oxidation.