Master’s in Chrome Plating, Nickel Plating and Surface Treatments
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in chrome plating, nickel plating and surface treatments. 12 modules covering applied electrochemistry, part preparation, copper, nickel and decorative chrome plating, other treatments, polishing, quality testing, environmental compliance and workshop management, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Chrome Plating, Nickel Plating and Surface Treatments — studying from Australia
Restoration of classic vehicles and heritage machinery is a valued pursuit in Australia, supported by active car clubs, museums and a dedicated enthusiast community. Engineers and skilled restorers work on historical preservation, parts sourcing, engine rebuilding and compliance with vehicle registration requirements. The heritage and collectable vehicle market supports specialist workshops, parts suppliers and appraisal services. Employers include restoration workshops, museums, specialist importers and heritage organisations.
Fees for Australia: A$15,800 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Is this training recognised by any Australian heritage or automotive restoration body?
SEIUM qualifications are private and not accredited by any Australian national body or heritage authority. Recognition is decided by employers and individual clients. Heritage listings and vehicle registration are governed by state authorities, so check their requirements separately if they affect your work.
Which Australian businesses might employ restoration specialists with this training?
Classic car restoration workshops, heritage vehicle dealers, museums, and specialist parts suppliers are examples of Australian employers and clients in this area. Hiring decisions rest with each business. A strong restoration portfolio and practical experience are typically more persuasive than a private qualification.
Can I study from Australia while keeping my current work, and can it be funded?
Yes, the programmes are fully online and taught in English, so you can study from Australia without a student visa and around your existing work. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Check the total hours and build a schedule you can sustain.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Know the surface treatments used in the automotive sector.
Apply the principles of electrochemistry.
Prepare parts for high-quality coatings.
Carry out copper, nickel and chrome plating.
Apply other treatments and mechanical finishes.
Control the quality of coatings.
Manage electroplating with environmental and health criteria.
Who it's for
- Electroplating technicians.
- Metal polishers.
- Restorers of chrome-plated parts.
- Coating quality managers.
- Industrial environmental technicians.
- Surface treatment workshop managers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter electroplating.
What you'll work with
- ISO 1456 (nickel-chromium electroplated coatings)
- Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 (REACH) (registration, evaluation and authorisation of chemicals)
- ISO 9227 (salt spray corrosion tests)
- ISO 4527 (autocatalytic nickel-phosphorus coatings)
- ISO 2081 (electroplated zinc coatings)
- ISO 10289 (rating of corrosion test results)
- ISO 2177 (coulometric coating thickness measurement)
- Directive 2010/75/EU (industrial emissions)
- Microsoft Excel
- Fischer WinFTM
- SolidWorks
- Power BI
12 modules
1.1History of chrome and nickel plating1.2Copper, nickel and decorative chrome1.3Hard chrome versus decorative chrome1.4Zinc plating, cadmium plating and passivation1.5Aluminium anodising1.6Bluing and phosphating1.7Metal polishing and buffing1.8Typical parts by period1.9Originality criteria1.10Workshop: identifying coatings on period parts
2.1Principles of electrolysis2.2Faraday's laws2.3Current density and efficiency2.4Throwing power of the bath2.5Soluble and insoluble anodes2.6Rectifiers and control2.7Chemistry of acid and alkaline baths2.8Brightening and levelling additives2.9Bath analysis2.10Practical exercise: calculating deposition time and thickness
3.1Disassembly and cataloguing3.2Stripping old chrome plating3.3Rust removal3.4Repairing dents and pores3.5Welding mazak (zamak)3.6Grinding and sanding3.7Pre-polishing3.8Electrolytic degreasing3.9Acid activation3.10Lab: preparing a bumper for chrome plating
4.1Role of copper in the system4.2Cyanide copper and alternatives4.3Levelling acid copper4.4Thicknesses and levelling4.5Copper polishing4.6Copper plating defects4.7Copper plating of mazak4.8Copper plating of brass and steel4.9Quality control4.10Practical exercise: copper plating and polishing a trim moulding
5.1Bright and semi-bright nickel5.2Duplex nickel systems5.3Electroless nickel to ISO 45275.4Satin nickel5.5Period nickel plating without chrome5.6Internal stresses5.7Thickness tests5.8Nickel plating defects5.9Nickel safety5.10Workshop: nickel plating a period headlamp
6.1Traditional hexavalent chrome6.2Trivalent chrome6.3REACH restrictions on chromium VI6.4Thicknesses and micro-cracking6.5ISO 1456 nickel-chrome systems6.6Racks and shielding6.7Defects: burning and hazing6.8Appearance by period6.9Comparing chrome colours6.10Case study: chrome plating a 1950s grille
7.1Zinc plating to ISO 20817.2Trivalent passivation7.3Phosphating and bluing7.4Aluminium anodising7.5Cadmium plating and its alternatives7.6Thermal spray coatings7.7PVD coatings7.8Treatments for period fasteners7.9Treatment selection7.10Practical exercise: zinc plating and passivating fasteners
8.1Abrasives and compounds8.2Polishing mops and speeds8.3Polishing stainless steel8.4Polishing aluminium8.5Polishing brass8.6Satin and brushed finishes8.7Safety in polishing8.8Gloss control8.9Subsequent protection8.10Workshop: polishing a stainless steel hubcap
9.1Thickness measurement to ISO 2177 and XRF9.2ISO 9227 salt spray test9.3CASS test9.4ISO 10289 evaluation9.5Adhesion and thermal shock tests9.6Visual inspection and defects9.7Quality records9.8Equipment calibration9.9Complaints management9.10Lab: salt spray testing of specimens
10.1Directive 2010/75/EU on industrial emissions10.2Integrated environmental permit10.3Wastewater treatment10.4Sludge and waste management10.5REACH Regulation and authorisations10.6Exposure to chromium mist10.7Protective equipment and ventilation10.8Health surveillance10.9Chemical safety in the workshop10.10Case study: environmental audit of an electroplating shop
11.1Design of the plating line11.2Equipment and rectifiers11.3Bath maintenance11.4Costs and pricing11.5Subcontracting and control11.6Lead times and scheduling11.7Quality for restorers11.8Customer communication11.9Profitability11.10Practical exercise: quotation for chrome plating a complete vehicle
12.1Selection of the parts12.2Diagnosis and cataloguing12.3Research into the original finish12.4Selection of treatments12.5Preparation plan12.6Documented execution12.7Quality tests12.8Conclusions12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine it with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Microsoft Excel, Fischer WinFTM, SolidWorks and Power BI, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Procedures are studied on real cases of decorative chrome plating of period parts, salt spray testing of coatings and preparation and polishing of mazak parts. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ISO 1456, Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 (REACH), ISO 9227, ISO 4527, ISO 2081, ISO 10289, ISO 2177, Directive 2010/75/EU.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Microsoft Excel, Fischer WinFTM, SolidWorks, Power BI, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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