How to Chrome Line a Barrel of a Gun or Rifle

It's possible to chrome line a barrel of a gun or rifle, thereby improving its decorative qualities. This can be done at home, using a chrome plating kit. Basic kits can be purchased online for under $100.

How Chrome Plating Works -- The Electroplating Process
Not every shiny, metallic surface is chrome. Chrome plating is comprised of the element Chromium. Chrome plating results in a shiny, smooth metallic surface. Chrome is always applied using electroplating. The metal item that will be plated is placed inside an electrified bath containing tiny Chromium salt. The bath solution is positively charged, whereas the item that you're plating will be attached to a lead that gives it a negative charge. The negatively charged object will attract the tiny Chromium particles, which bond to the metal's surface.

How to Chrome Line a Barrel

To complete this project, you'll need the following materials:

• Dish soap
• Water
• Sponge
• Latex gloves
• Degreaser spray
• Lint-free rags
• Large paintbrush
• Electroplating resist solution
• Electroplating vat
• Chromium salts
• Wooden stirrer
• Electroplating battery and leads
• Electroplating electrode
• Buffer

Step 1: Disassemble the gun or rifle.

Step 2: Wash the barrel's interior and exterior with dish soap and a sponge.

Step 3: Rinse the barrel and allow it to air dry.

Step 4: Don latex gloves. The barrel must be handled with latex gloves from this point forward, to avoid contamination from skin oils.

Step 5: Spray degreaser onto the interior of the barrel and the exterior. This will remove oils and remnants of grease. Allow the degreaser to sit on the surface for approximately two minutes.

Step 6: Rinse off the degreaser and dry the barrel with lint-free rags.

Step 7: Paint an even coat of electroplating resist solution onto the exterior of the barrel. The solution must be applied to all regions that will not be coated with chrome. Some products require the application of multiple coats. Allow the solution to air dry.

Step 8: Fill the electroplating vat with hot (but not boiling) water.

Step 9: Pour the Chromium salts into the water and stir the water with a wooden stirrer to dissolve the particles. The amount of salts will vary depending on the the vat size and the concentration of the Chromium salts. Consult the packaging to determine the proper amount for the vat that you're using.

Step 10: Attach the electroplating battery's red lead (the positive or "+" wire) to the electrode that sits inside the vat. Most leads have a clip on the end. Fasten the clip around the electrode's port, similar to how you would attach a jumper cable to a car battery port.

Step 11: Attach the electroplating battery's blue or black lead (the negative or "-" wire) to the barrel that will be electroplated. Clip it onto the exterior of the barrel.

Step 12: Place the barrel inside the electroplating vat and turn on the power supply to the battery and turn on the tank agitator. These switches are typically located on the electroplating equipment's control panel.

Step 13: Allow the barrel to sit in the electroplating vat until the chrome has reached the desired thickness. Consult your manual to determine the electroplating rate for your machine. A typical thickness is 10 microns. It can take anywhere from a minute or two to 10 minutes or longer to achieve this thickness, depending on your electroplating equipment's capabilities.

Step 14: Turn off the electroplating equipment when the plating cycle is complete. It's complete when the chrome has reached the appropriate thickness. The amount of time will vary, based on the equipment's electroplating rate.

Step 15: Remove the battery lead and remove the barrel from the electroplating vat.

Step 16: Rinse the entire barrel with water and allow it to air dry. Collect the rinse water in a bucket, as it cannot be poured down the drain. The water will need to be collected and disposed of during your community's next hazardous waste collection event.

Step 17: Buff and polish the barrel's interior and exterior. The buffing process will remove the electroplating resist solution and it will shine the chrome.

Tips for Chrome Plating a Barrel and Electroplating

Purchase electroplating equipment and supplies from an electroplating supplier. Use equipment designed specifically for electroplating. Also, remember that the item that you're plating must be able to fit inside the electroplating vat.

Undissolved salts will result in a "gritty" feeling on the bottom of the vat. If you can feel the undissolved salts with the stirrer. Continue stirring until they disappear.

Also, do not attempt to handle the item or liquids during the electroplating process. Always wear gloves while handling a clean, oil-free item that will be electroplated. If you get skin oils on the metal's surface, it will result in an abnormality in the plating.