Chrome Plating Course: Decorative and Technical Chrome for Classic Cars
Online 300-hour course in decorative and technical chrome plating for classic cars. 6 modules covering ISO 1456 (electrolytic nickel and chromium coatings), ISO 6158 (electrolytic hard chromium coatings) and Advanced Excel (bath control). Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Chrome Plating Course: Decorative and Technical Chrome for Classic Cars — studying from New Zealand
Vehicle restoration and classic engine work in New Zealand is supported by an active enthusiast community and a well-established network of specialist workshops, particularly around the main centres. Historic vehicle registration and compliance fall under the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, and the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand promotes preservation of historic vehicles. Restoration professionals often combine fabrication, engineering and heritage conservation skills.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$1,280 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
Is restoration engineering recognised by a professional body in New Zealand?
There is no specific statutory register for classic vehicle or heritage restoration engineers in New Zealand. Heritage matters can involve Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, and vehicle roadworthiness is governed by the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so their value depends on the employer or client.
Where do classic restoration specialists work in New Zealand?
Work is found in independent restoration workshops, classic car dealers, museums, and specialist fabrication businesses, many clustered around the main centres. Clients and employers usually judge by workmanship and a portfolio of completed restorations. A private qualification may complement that evidence but is rarely a deciding factor on its own.
Can I study this while running or working in a workshop here?
Yes. The course is fully online and taught in English, so you can study from home in New Zealand without a student visa. Specialist courses total 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and master's programmes 1,900 hours. An assigned technical tutor supports you, and fees can be paid in instalments.
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
Explain the electrochemical fundamentals of decorative and technical chrome plating.
Prepare and repair parts before coating.
Describe the copper, nickel and chrome plating process.
Apply coatings to plastics and evaluate alternatives.
Control quality through thickness measurement and corrosion testing.
Apply REACH and environmental regulations on hexavalent chromium.
Plan a chrome plating project for the parts of a classic car.
Who it's for
- Electroplating technician who wants to specialise in Decorative and Technical Chrome Plating for Classic Cars.
- Chrome restorer who wants to specialise in Decorative and Technical Chrome Plating for Classic Cars.
- Metal parts polisher who wants to specialise in Decorative and Technical Chrome Plating for Classic Cars.
- Quality manager in coatings who wants to specialise in Decorative and Technical Chrome Plating for Classic Cars.
- Industrial environmental technician who wants to specialise in Decorative and Technical Chrome Plating for Classic Cars.
- Restoration workshop manager who wants to specialise in Decorative and Technical Chrome Plating for Classic Cars.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter electroplating and surface treatments.
What you'll work with
- ISO 1456 (electrolytic nickel and chromium coatings)
- ISO 6158 (electrolytic hard chromium coatings)
- ISO 4525 (nickel and chromium on plastic materials)
- ISO 9227 (salt spray tests)
- ISO 2177 (coulometric thickness measurement)
- Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH, authorisation of chromium trioxide)
- Directive 2010/75/EU (industrial emissions)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Decorative chrome versus hard chrome1.2Copper-nickel-chrome system1.3Hexavalent and trivalent chromium1.4Micro-cracked and micro-porous chrome1.5ISO 1456 and ASTM B456 standards1.6Typical chrome-plated parts on classic cars1.7Substrates: steel, brass and zamak1.8REACH restrictions on Cr(VI)1.9Alternatives: PVD and plating of plastics1.10Practice: identifying original chrome plating
2.1Dismantling and cataloguing2.2Electrolytic stripping2.3Repairing dents in bumpers2.4Filling pitting in zamak2.5Soft and brass soldering2.6Rough and fine polishing2.7Restoration of badges and emblems2.8Straightening trim mouldings2.9Pre-plating dimensional control2.10Workshop: preparing a zamak moulding
3.1Acid copper levelling3.2Bright and semi-bright nickel plating3.3Decorative chrome plating parameters3.4Anodes and shielding3.5Racking for complex parts3.6Hard chrome on rods and shafts3.7Post-grinding of hard chrome3.8Hydrogen embrittlement and degassing3.9Barrel plating of small parts3.10Laboratory: copper-nickel-chrome sequence
4.1Chrome plating of ABS and other plastics4.2Vacuum metallising4.3Decorative PVD coatings4.4Chrome-effect paints4.5Bright anodising of aluminium4.6Polished stainless steel4.7Authenticity criteria4.8Cost comparison4.9Durability comparison4.10Case study: choosing a process for a dashboard
5.1Defects: pitting, burning and clouding5.2Thickness measurement by layer5.3CASS and salt spray testing5.4Adhesion and thermal shock testing5.5Cleaning and care of chrome5.6Protection against salt and humidity5.7Storage of chrome-plated parts5.8Occupational safety with chromium5.9Chromium waste management5.10Practice: quality inspection of a batch
6.1Parts inventory6.2Diagnosis of each part6.3Repair plan6.4Coating specification6.5Coordination with the electroplating workshop6.6Incoming inspection6.7Fitting to the vehicle6.8Budget and timescales6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Advanced Excel (bath control), Fischer WinFTM (thickness by X-ray fluorescence), Minitab, ImageJ, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for preparing and polishing parts, control of copper, nickel and chrome thicknesses, and accelerated corrosion tests. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Explain the electrochemical fundamentals of decorative and technical chrome plating.
Prepare and repair parts before coating.
Describe the copper, nickel and chrome plating process.
Apply coatings to plastics and evaluate alternatives.
Control quality through thickness measurement and corrosion testing.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
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 300 hours spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You work with Advanced Excel (bath control), Fischer WinFTM (thickness by X-ray fluorescence), Minitab and ImageJ. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An own diploma from SEIUM upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry of Education qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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