Chrome vs. Industrial finish

[young_buck]

Didn't see a thread about this. Which do you prefer and why?

I like the look of my chrome tools as long as they aren't cheap chrome plate that chips off just looking at them

 

[RMRCattleCo.]

Chrome, better rust protection from personal observation. Also easier to see when it falls down into the unknown.

 

[acdc73]

chrome.
I sold most of my industrial finish tools - too hard to see when left under a dark hood of car...

 

[Conductor562]

Depends on the tool. I don't like the black finish in anything really. That being the case, in cases such as sockets, ratchets, etc., I'll take chrome every time. I have a set of pre ASD Proto combos in black I use as beaters for those really nasty jobs and while the corrosion resistance is fine, the finish wears a lot faster than chrome or satin.
Whenever it's available I prefer satin. It looks better than black and it stays looking good way longer than chrome. Chrome gets all scratched up over time and looks like hell. I always found myself wiping them down costantly in a futile effort to keep them looking nice. Satin doesn't show scratches or fingerprints nearly as bad as full polish and if it does develop any spots you can clean it gently with a wire brush without it getting scratched all to hell. Satin is especially good on wrenches.

 

[acdc73]

Depends on the tool. I don't like the black finish in anything really. That being the case, in cases such as sockets, ratchets, etc., I'll take chrome every time. I have a set of pre ASD Proto combos in black I use as beaters for those really nasty jobs and while the corrosion resistance is fine, the finish wears a lot faster than chrome or satin.
Whenever it's available I prefer satin. It looks better than black and it stays looking good way longer than chrome. Chrome gets all scratched up over time and looks like hell. I always found myself wiping them down costantly in a futile effort to keep them looking nice. Satin doesn't show scratches or fingerprints nearly as bad as full polish and if it does develop any spots you can clean it gently with a wire brush without it getting scratched all to hell. Satin is especially good on wrenches.

I like satin too, I've got Stahlwille sets of combination mm and offset double box end mm, all in satin chrome and I love that finish - good grip and cleans easy, not as easy as slick chrome, but easy enough. Those Stahlwille wrenches are the best feeling wrenched in my hand.

 

[Conductor562]

When I started buying my Proto ASD combo sets I was a little torn between chrome and satin. At $50-$75 extra per set for full polish, I decided on satin. Glad I did. They look nice and they eliminated all the quarrels I had with full polish. If they get really grimmy I hit them with a shot of brake cleaner and they're good as new.

 

[dirtydogintex]

Appears it sorta depends on the tools' purpose - work or show.
black finish / stain chrome v. polished chrome

For me polished chrome starts looking bad almost immediately.... plus it doesn't resist rust that much better, if at all, than the other finishes.

 

[jetmech09]

I prefer chrome, but some manufacturers in my industry require industrial finish, such as gearboxes on helicopters. The chrome could chip and be confused for gearbox internals failing.

 

[kmoon]

I've been looking at the black chrome love that finish but I think you will see the scratches worse than chrome?

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Prefer industrial finish...Dad gave me a 1/2 Industrial Finish Snappy, Bought myself a 3/8 to match it...one of these days I'll get a 1/4" to make them a complete family.

As for rust prevention? Seriously? Do you guys leave your tools outside? Even if mine were all plain raw steel, they wouldnt rust....I rub em all down with old hydraulic oil soaked rag before parking them back in the box...doesnt leave em greasy and certianly protects them all nicely. (I dont use em every day...so thats why I go a little overboard with the rust prevention).

 

[RivennHewn]

I just bought a set of black industrial finish wrenches at the sears close out sale.

I like the way my metrics are chrome, and the SAE are black. Makes it very easy to what i'm going for.

 

[Conductor562]

Prefer industrial finish...Dad gave me a 1/2 Industrial Finish Snappy, Bought myself a 3/8 to match it...one of these days I'll get a 1/4" to make them a complete family.

As for rust prevention? Seriously? Do you guys leave your tools outside? Even if mine were all plain raw steel, they wouldnt rust....I rub em all down with old hydraulic oil soaked rag before parking them back in the box...doesnt leave em greasy and certianly protects them all nicely. (I dont use em every day...so thats why I go a little overboard with the rust prevention).

Rust isn't a big issue for most people. I clean mine a few times a year and give them a coat of LiquidWrench Silicone spray and I've never had an issue with rust. That being said, anyone who works in a damp industrial or marine environment has to worry about rust. I just don't care for full polish wrenches. The scratches, fingerprints, and oil or chemical residue, seem constant. The black finish wears off faster than chrome or satin in my experience. With my satin wrenches you can look at them and tell they are used. With my black ones you can easily tell which one has been used more than another and if the box or open end gets more use. You can tell with all of them but it seems to be a lot easier with the black ones. To me satin just seems to be the best compromise.

 

[Cryptic1911]

I hate chrome. I'd rather have matte finished industrial tools than some flashy chome stuff

 

[Packard V8]

Back in the mid-70s, when I first started putting together better tools, I found a once-in-a-lifetime buy on industrial Snap-on which had come home from the Alaska pipeline. I got 1/2" and 1/4" socket sets, combo, DOE and box wrenches. With that kind of start, I kept looking for more industrial finish and found a few, but the majority of what I've found since has been chrome. Having half of each, it's just personal preference. There's no real advantage one over the other in normal use.

jack vines

 

[Spudland_Dave]

That being said, anyone who works in a damp industrial or marine environment has to worry about rust.

My Dad spent all his life turning wrenches in a Paper Mill....Caustic Chemicals, Water & Plenty of it and always Hot. None of his tools are rusty at all. So I'd say protection wise Chrome/Industrial its a wash. If you abuse a tool enough to rust em, chances are Stainless Steel tools are your only option.

The black finish wears off faster than chrome or satin in my experience. With my satin wrenches you can look at them and tell they are used. With my black ones you can easily tell which one has been used more than another and if the box or open end gets more use. You can tell with all of them but it seems to be a lot easier with the black ones. To me satin just seems to be the best compromise.

This is very true...The 1/2" I inherited came with some finish wear, and the 3/8" new one I bought quickly caught up. They certianly get a "Work Patina" quickly...the finish becomes more brownish in the high use areas. Chome ones, minus the nicks & dings always look chrome. I've never seen a tool with the chrome worn off it because of use.

I'm suprised no tool MFG that I know of has gone with a Black Nitride finish like they use on high end hydraulic cylinder rods...better durability then Chrome all around. Plus killer good looks..

 

[nine4gmc]

chrome looks good new but give me an industrial satin finish any day.