chrome and engraving

[akronfxwg]

made a new air cleaner cover from cast aluminum, (old faberware 4 qt saucepan) plan on having it engraved and chromed.  Which gets done first?  Is it engraving and then chrome?  It is already completely polished and may just have it clear powder coated to avoid oxidation as I don't like chrome that much.  Thanks

[northbrun]

yup, as far as i know, you gotta do the engraving first, then it gets copper plated in order to give the chrome something to stick to, then chrome plated. Sounds cool. like to see a pic.

[Purplepandan]

Definately...Engrave first. Do you have an Engraver?

[JimB]

Ive done this many times.... be sure to tell your engraver that its being chromed so it will be engraved deeper than normal.
If you dont, some of the engraving will get covered up by the plating process.
If youre using polished material, have it polished before engraving.
Clear anodizing is good for anti oxidation & doesnt fill up the lines like paint or powder coating
Or have it color anodized then engraved for a nice contrast