The hard plating of the chrome rims and other chrome parts are usually used to improve the appearance of the vehicles. The bright as well as decorative finish of the chrome plating is quite familiar as it enhances the appearance as no other method of customization your ride can. The chrome plating is not just used with an aim of decoration purpose but it offers a protective coating of the chrome that makes the technique of the chrome plating useful for other applications.
The chrome plating goes through hard chroming process that consists of applying a thin layer of chromium on to an iron, copper or any other base metal with an aim to give a protective and decorative finish. The chromium itself is considered as a reactive metal that reacts readily with the oxygen in the air. As contrast with the iron that forms a very unstable oxide which flakes and falls apart chromium oxide is hard as well as stable while ultimately forming a protective layer that prevents the underlying metal from corroding.
It is a common fact that different electroplating technique is being used in order to produce different types of effects. Generally, the shiny as well as highly decorative finish that we are familiar with the on chrome rims as well as other auto parts is known as the bright chrome. Besides these, other variations can be considered in the form of hard chrome and black chrome.
The bright chrome is usually used when a decorative finish is required; just like on the car rims. This way it is being applied fairly thinly all over the automobile parts. The decorative chrome is being applied after the nickel coating is plated to the copper alloys, base of steel, steel and aluminum alloys as well as plastics.
Thus, this is how the chroming process, popularly chrome plating is done.
Source:http://hardchromecoating.blogspot.com/2018/01/know-significance-of-hard-chroming.html