Faucets, showerheads, and bath accessories are judged entirely on appearance, and the appearance standard is usually "mirror." Here is what actually produces it.
The substrate sets the ceiling
This is the part buyers underestimate. Plating does not hide surface defects; it reveals them. A chrome layer is thin and highly reflective, which means every scratch, every polishing line, and every casting pore in the substrate is faithfully reproduced and then made more visible. If the base part is not polished to a mirror before it reaches us, it will not be a mirror when it leaves.
The nickel undercoat
Decorative chrome goes over nickel. Bright nickel levels the surface further and provides the corrosion protection. It is doing more work in this stack than the chrome is.
The chrome layer
Thin, uniform, and dense. Its job is brightness, hardness, and tarnish resistance. Applied over a properly prepared and nickel-plated surface, it produces the mirror.
What can go wrong
Inadequate substrate polishing (most common). Incomplete pretreatment, which shows up later as blistering. Poor current distribution, which produces uneven brightness across a curved fitting. Racking that leaves witness marks in a visible area, which is a conversation to have before production, not after.
FAQ
Does mirror chrome require a nickel undercoat?
Yes, for both appearance and corrosion performance.
Can plastic parts be mirror chromed?
Yes. ABS and similar plastics need an electroless conductive layer first, then plate normally.
Do you plate bath hardware?
Yes. See chrome plating. Request a quote.