a process for chrome plating a non - ferrous object includes copper plating the non - ferrous object which has had burrs and surface irregularities removed . the surface of the copper plated object is smoothed , and copper plate irregularities removed , by moving dry abrasive media over the object for a pre - determined period of time . typically , this is done by placing the copper plated object into a finishing machine having dry abrasive media therein . the object is then chrome plated .