Chassis Pole Zinc Electroplating

Electroplated vs chrome vs stainless

• Rhino Chassis Poles are electroplated in a high quality ultra bright zinc silver. Chassis poles can be installed directly onto chassis or finished further with painting.
• Chrome plated chassis poles look “shiny” but will rust once it is scratched / chipped. RHINO chooses not to manufacturer chrome plated chassis poles that look “shiny” but will rust once scratched / chipped.
• Stainless poles give a superior protection against corrosion compared to steel. See the stainless chassis poles range here.

What is electroplating?

Electroplating is a shiny smooth finish with between 15-25 microns of zinc which helps to protect the poles from rusting. Electroplating a great base for painting or powder coating onto as an extra protection. One of the advantages of electroplating is its ability to enhance a material’s resistance to rust and other types of corrosion.

Electroplating Process

1. Degreaser – which takes off oil. 
2. Sulphuric (sulfuric) acid – takes off mill scale and gets to bare metal. 
3. Electroplating – applying zinc by electrical current in zinc, rather than “hot dip”.  Passing electricity through the steel binds the zinc to the metal and changes the molecular construction of the steel. Using electrolysis means the zinc will not chip off like paint or chrome plating which are both coated on.
4. Passivation – which makes the zinc stick. 

Check out the full range of RHINO stainless and electroplated chassis poles here and our chassis pole salt spray testing.