Rhodium plating

x-five · February 3, 2013, 01:52 PM

It looks very nice , so share your opinions about it.

teeroux · February 3, 2013, 02:11 PM

My wifes wedding ring sure looks nice in it. I don't know about firearms though.

Bill DeShivs · February 3, 2013, 03:20 PM

I believe rhodium has to be plated over gold plating. It's very white. Chrome would look about the same and hold up better.

Downeast · February 3, 2013, 03:33 PM

Rhodium can be plated over gold, nickel or silver. Bill's right, hard chrome would last longer (at a fraction of the cost). I plated a ton of it years ago, primarily on electrical connecters for DoD end use. We used to plate it over silver. At that point it was much more expensive than gold and exceeded $5,000/oz. It would be very expensive to plate it on a handgun and not really worth it, IMO.

Kreyzhorse · February 3, 2013, 04:34 PM

It might look nice..... But it is very expensive and there are better, and cheaper, options.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=514830

Besides, why finish a stainless steel gun in rhodium? The steel is already rust and corrosion resistant.

If you are simply trying to pimp a gun, why not have some nice scroll work done instead?

Nasty · February 3, 2013, 05:21 PM

Way soft, wears quickly. Rings have to be replated every so often

Industrial hard chrome is far superior. (Armaloy)

Skans · February 4, 2013, 09:10 AM

Rhodium really has one industrial purpose - protection of equipment in highly corrosive environments. Unless you plan on taking your pistol around highly corrosive chemicals, it's completely worthless.

A tiny coating is also used on silver jewelry to prevent tarnishing - a form of corrosion. It is easily removed by mild buffing.

I would agree that hard chrome is far superior for guns.

+1k ammo · February 4, 2013, 09:45 AM

What does a "hard chroming" cost these days if you can find a place that does that locally. I'm sure there are some around me.

Just wondering, if the metal has to be prepped and then I think is dipped in a bath of (something) and then chromed.

And can any metal thing (object) be chromed?

Bill DeShivs · February 4, 2013, 02:15 PM

Use a plater that has specific experience with guns. Most local shops don't qualify.
Different metals require different plating processes.

481 · February 4, 2013, 05:16 PM

Rhodium is way too soft for a gun finish.

If I gotta refinish a gun with a corrosion proof treatment, I'd much rather do it with nickel-boron or hard chrome, maybe cobalt if I wanna get "exotic".

Downeast · February 4, 2013, 08:48 PM

Actually Rhodium as deposited is about 800 knoop hardness. I know because we had to test it.This is approximately equal to 63 Rockwell "C". Hard Chrome is typically 65-70 Rockwell "C", so Rhodium does get close to chrome hardness. As a member of the Platinum group it also has excellent corrosion resistance. The problem with it, as mentioned is it's just so damn expensive. Really not a great choice for a gun finish unless you have the money of an Arabian oil sheik or similar income.

kozak6 · February 4, 2013, 11:14 PM

Currently, it appears to be solely a hilariously silly luxury feature.

For some reason, it appears to bump firearm prices to automobile levels.

Skans · February 5, 2013, 08:08 AM

The spot price of Rhodium ($1,200) is about $470 less than gold. Historically, Rhodium was always much higher than gold - but the stuff really isn't that expensive in comparison. It would take very little Rhodium to plate an entire gun. Rhodium plated guns are pure gimmick.

481 · February 5, 2013, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downeast:

Actually Rhodium as deposited is about 800 knoop hardness. I know because we had to test it.This is approximately equal to 63 Rockwell "C". Hard Chrome is typically 65-70 Rockwell "C", so Rhodium does get close to chrome hardness. As a member of the Platinum group it also has excellent corrosion resistance. The problem with it, as mentioned is it's just so damn expensive. Really not a great choice for a gun finish unless you have the money of an Arabian oil sheik or similar income.

I stand corrected. Thanks.

Rinspeed · February 7, 2013, 06:18 PM

Quote:

It looks very nice , so share your opinions about it.

Is this Rhodium plating for the $20,000 Sig you're planning on buying.

x-five · February 8, 2013, 09:44 AM

Yep, and it willl look better without engraving.

Scorch · February 8, 2013, 12:01 PM

I don't know about rhodium, but some of the exotic metal plating is actually vapor deposition, and is extremely thin, like on the order of .0001" or less, so it would take very little metal to actually plate a gun. Compared to gold electroplating, which goes on about .001-.002" thick, you are talking about very minimal metal cost. Of course, equipment costs for the process may be high.

Nasty · February 8, 2013, 04:33 PM

The difference between 1 or 2 Rc points can be huge. The Armaloy I had done years ago went Rc 72. Noting ever marked that piece.

February 3, 2013, 01:52 PM	#1
x-five Member Join Date: January 30, 2013 Location: Custer county, Montana Posts: 55	Rhodium plating It looks very nice , so share your opinions about it.

February 3, 2013, 03:20 PM	#3
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,984	I believe rhodium has to be plated over gold plating. It's very white. Chrome would look about the same and hold up better. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

February 3, 2013, 04:34 PM	#5
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	It might look nice..... But it is very expensive and there are better, and cheaper, options. http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=514830 Besides, why finish a stainless steel gun in rhodium? The steel is already rust and corrosion resistant. If you are simply trying to pimp a gun, why not have some nice scroll work done instead? __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson Last edited by Kreyzhorse; February 3, 2013 at 04:42 PM.

February 3, 2013, 05:21 PM	#6
Nasty Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2008 Posts: 323	Way soft, wears quickly. Rings have to be replated every so often Industrial hard chrome is far superior. (Armaloy) __________________ Above is based on the opinion of a 20 year Small Arms Marksmanship and Training Unit USAF instructor with more than 30 years in competitive shooting sports. Your mileage may vary.

February 4, 2013, 02:15 PM	#9
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,984	Use a plater that has specific experience with guns. Most local shops don't qualify. Different metals require different plating processes. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

February 3, 2013, 02:11 PM	#2
teeroux Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2006 Posts: 1,512	My wifes wedding ring sure looks nice in it. I don't know about firearms though.

February 3, 2013, 03:33 PM	#4
Downeast Member Join Date: August 8, 2012 Posts: 24	Rhodium can be plated over gold, nickel or silver. Bill's right, hard chrome would last longer (at a fraction of the cost). I plated a ton of it years ago, primarily on electrical connecters for DoD end use. We used to plate it over silver. At that point it was much more expensive than gold and exceeded $5,000/oz. It would be very expensive to plate it on a handgun and not really worth it, IMO.

February 4, 2013, 09:10 AM	#7
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	Rhodium really has one industrial purpose - protection of equipment in highly corrosive environments. Unless you plan on taking your pistol around highly corrosive chemicals, it's completely worthless. A tiny coating is also used on silver jewelry to prevent tarnishing - a form of corrosion. It is easily removed by mild buffing. I would agree that hard chrome is far superior for guns.

February 4, 2013, 09:45 AM	#8
+1k ammo Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2013 Posts: 235	What does a "hard chroming" cost these days if you can find a place that does that locally. I'm sure there are some around me. Just wondering, if the metal has to be prepped and then I think is dipped in a bath of (something) and then chromed. And can any metal thing (object) be chromed?

February 4, 2013, 05:16 PM	#10
481 Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2011 Posts: 540	Rhodium is way too soft for a gun finish. If I gotta refinish a gun with a corrosion proof treatment, I'd much rather do it with nickel-boron or hard chrome, maybe cobalt if I wanna get "exotic". __________________ QUANTITATIVE AMMUNITION SELECTION

February 4, 2013, 08:48 PM	#11
Downeast Member Join Date: August 8, 2012 Posts: 24	Actually Rhodium as deposited is about 800 knoop hardness. I know because we had to test it.This is approximately equal to 63 Rockwell "C". Hard Chrome is typically 65-70 Rockwell "C", so Rhodium does get close to chrome hardness. As a member of the Platinum group it also has excellent corrosion resistance. The problem with it, as mentioned is it's just so damn expensive. Really not a great choice for a gun finish unless you have the money of an Arabian oil sheik or similar income.

February 4, 2013, 11:14 PM	#12
kozak6 Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2005 Location: AZ Posts: 3,113	Currently, it appears to be solely a hilariously silly luxury feature. For some reason, it appears to bump firearm prices to automobile levels.

February 5, 2013, 08:08 AM	#13
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	The spot price of Rhodium ($1,200) is about $470 less than gold. Historically, Rhodium was always much higher than gold - but the stuff really isn't that expensive in comparison. It would take very little Rhodium to plate an entire gun. Rhodium plated guns are pure gimmick.

February 8, 2013, 09:44 AM	#16
x-five Member Join Date: January 30, 2013 Location: Custer county, Montana Posts: 55	Yep, and it willl look better without engraving.

February 8, 2013, 12:01 PM	#17
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	I don't know about rhodium, but some of the exotic metal plating is actually vapor deposition, and is extremely thin, like on the order of .0001" or less, so it would take very little metal to actually plate a gun. Compared to gold electroplating, which goes on about .001-.002" thick, you are talking about very minimal metal cost. Of course, equipment costs for the process may be high. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

February 8, 2013, 04:33 PM	#18
Nasty Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2008 Posts: 323	The difference between 1 or 2 Rc points can be huge. The Armaloy I had done years ago went Rc 72. Noting ever marked that piece. __________________ Above is based on the opinion of a 20 year Small Arms Marksmanship and Training Unit USAF instructor with more than 30 years in competitive shooting sports. Your mileage may vary.