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[WGWTR180]

Curious as to whether techs around the country have abandoned the idea of having inner slide tubes re-chromed. I'm mainly talking about vintage slide tubes. If you do have them redone where do you have it done? Is there any place in the country that still offers this service??
Thanks.

[NotSkilledHere]

admittedly not a tech, but I think the trouble with vintage slide tubes is that many of them arent chromed but nickel plated or silver plated, at least on REALLY old horns. and from what I have gathered, I also dont think it's a matter of whether it can or can't be done, because rechroming is available, but the cost usually seems to equate or exceed just buying a new slide tube.

on modern horns, I think the easy and suggested solution is to just replace the tube if it's getting to that point. on vintage horns, I think there certainly is more of a case to be made for rechroming those very tubes, but in many cases, a period correct tube can kind of be sourced from trashed horns for less than rechroming.

[WGWTR180]

admittedly not a tech, but I think the trouble with vintage slide tubes is that many of them arent chromed but nickel plated or silver plated, at least on REALLY old horns. and from what I have gathered, I also dont think it's a matter of whether it can or can't be done, because rechroming is available, but the cost usually seems to equate or exceed just buying a new slide tube.

on modern horns, I think the easy and suggested solution is to just replace the tube if it's getting to that point. on vintage horns, I think there certainly is more of a case to be made for rechroming those very tubes, but in many cases, a period correct tube can kind of be sourced from trashed horns for less than rechroming.

Thanks. Mine are 60's vintage and was told they are chrome plated but maybe not. I'm not as concerned about cost, well relatively so, as I am the instrument retaining its current sound qualities. I've used Bach and M&K tubes before. Slide worked great-sound and response changed. And yes on a modern instrument it's a no brainer.

[Burgerbob]

admittedly not a tech, but I think the trouble with vintage slide tubes is that many of them arent chromed but nickel plated or silver plated, at least on REALLY old horns. and from what I have gathered, I also dont think it's a matter of whether it can or can't be done, because rechroming is available, but the cost usually seems to equate or exceed just buying a new slide tube.

Not a lot of this is true.

[tbonesullivan]

Chrome plating has been around for quite a while, and I would assume that trombones made after WWII all will have chrome plated inners.

It certainly is possible, but as others have said, is it worth it. Removing chrome is mot a gentle process, and neither is putting it back on. The only safe option to remove chrome without destroying the substrate is electrolytic stripping. There's also the issue of slide tube integrity under the plating, and then you have to replate it.

I'm also pretty sure that anything to be deplated and replated would need to be done by a plating company, as the chemicals for chrome plating are HIGHLY TOXIC, and also quite a bit more regulated than things like silver nitrate.

[Chazzer69]

Not a tech but may have some insight as I asked my repair person about this. If I recall his answer correctly, all of the existing chrome has to be stripped off beforehand and he said either the process to strip and replate was cost prohibitive and/or the chemicals used are very hazardous and maybe unobtainable by a non-industrial entity. But I am trying to recall a conversation from several months ago so there's that caveat. I'm sure Brad or Matthew can answer better.

[BGuttman]

Not a tech either, but someone who worked in an industry doing plating.

Chrome plating was used regularly in the 1930s. I have a 1927 Conn 40H with chromed inners.

An old slide with worn tubes is best having new chromed inners installed. As mentioned earlier, the chemicals used for chromium plating are highly toxic, and are severely regulated. Chrome plating solution contains hexavalent chromium, which is one of the RoHS regulated materials. I've tried to chemically strip chrome plate from a mouthpiece with really poor results. Good thing it was one of those awful Herco pieces so I didn't really care.

[hornbuilder]

Chrome can be removed with Muriatic acid. It can etch the base metal, but if you watch the process and remove it immediately, the etching is virtually zero. I regularly do this with new tubes, since theyre often plated "long"

[tbonesullivan]

Chrome can be removed with Muriatic acid. It can etch the base metal, but if you watch the process and remove it immediately, the etching is virtually zero. I regularly do this with new tubes, since theyre often plated "long"

Does that mean that they are plated too much, or that the plating process makes them slightly longer? Just never heard that terminology before.

My main experience with chrome involved vintage cars and motorcycles, where you have some items that are "production chrome", which is when the chrome is applied directly to the steel. "Show chrome" is when they first plate the steel with copper, then nickel, and then chrome, with polishing between each step.

[hornbuilder]

The chrome extends higher up on the tube than needed. (By maybe 1/4-1/2") Always easier to remove than add more.

[Bonearzt]

I've had some old Williams tubes re-chromed awhile back at Andersons, but I don't recall the price.

They did come out nice and minimal, if any, noticeable change to sound or response.

But I agree that replacing tubes is a better option now.
If the chrome is worn unevenly, there's a physical reason for the wear.
Meaning the tube is bent or warped, probably beyond repair.

[WGWTR180]

Thanks everyone for the responses.