Advice about using fittings with Chrome Plated Copper Pipe.

[plb]

I am intending to use 15mm Chrome Plated Copper Pipe for radiator tails.
Obviously, I appreciate that you have to remove the Chrome Plating when using soldered fittings but do you also have to remove the Chrome Plating when using compression fittings.
The thing is that although copper is relatively soft I am a little concerned that the Chrome Plating would stop the olive from compressing into the pipe and therefore not provide a reliable water tight seal.
Also is wire wool suitable for removing the chrome plating.

 

[diamondgas]

Hi plb,

Compression is fine, push fit too! Steel wool, however will have you worn out unless it's pretty course! a file might do he job though! :wink:

 

[aggis]

Compression is good, but I've heard of problems with push fit on chrome pipes sliding off!

 

[SimonG]

Aye, don't use push fit on chrome plated copper. The stainless teeth won't bite into the surface. Either file off chrome as diamondgas said or use compression.

 

[That Extra Mile]

Compression - yes. Push fit - no. As mentioned, the push fit will not bite into the hard chrome plating. Filing off the plating is possible but a pain!

 

[diamondgas]

plb - listen to these guys regards push-fit! You can tell I'm a gas engineer not a plumber! I don't come into contact with chrome pipe as much as some here, I must have been fortunate in the past... :freak:

 

[mfgs]

As said, compression is fine. Push fit is a definite no no, unless you file off the chrome.

 

[GQuigley67]

there must be a quicker and easier way than filing chrome with a file, its too time consuming!!!

Don't put push-fit onto chrome pipework, same with stainless steel pipe if you need to use a blank push-fit for stainless steel then get the stainless push-fits not the normal plastic ones we use with copper.

 

[gassafe]

My friend solders directly onto the chrome pipework!!! I always said i would never risk it in a customers house. He however has done a a few radiators in his own over a year ago and has never had a problem!??
I have tried it on a scrap piece and it soldered and pressure tested fine to my surprise!
I would still file off the chrome however or compression to be on the safe side.

 

[SimonG]

there must be a quicker and easier way than filing chrome with a file, its too time consuming!!!

Don't put push-fit onto chrome pipework, same with stainless steel pipe if you need to use a blank push-fit for stainless steel then get the stainless push-fits not the normal plastic ones we use with copper.

Angle grinder works a treat.

 

[missplumb]

absolutely a no no for push fit on chrome. we had 2 22mm speedfit fittings blow off chrome pipe on some door curtains at Aldi in metrocentre, plenty of water to mop up and very unhappy shop manager

 

[WHPES]

You are correct in your comment about compression getting a good seal on chrome plating. As chrome is extremely hard, always use a bit of jointing compound and put a few turns of PTFE round the olive first.

 

[Plucky]

An old colleague I worked with had a tub of acid. Think it was hydroclhoric acid possibly and he used to dip the end in the pot and the chrome would just wipe off leaving you with clean copper to solder onto.

If you do find a similar product obviously there are alot of health and safety risks involved.

 

[ddplumbing]

I use an angle grinder with a sanding disk (the sort for flatting welds) I leaned the hard way regarding push fit/chrome *face palm* now THAT was a stressful few minutes!

 

[richardd]

compression fiiting on chrome with boss white ( no problems )You can also use a fixed wing back below the floor it keeps the pipe nice and plumb and the chrome in the fiiting has no were to go as it is fixed. Or you could do it in regular copper to the raiator and put the fake chrome sleeves on ( not great ).

 

[plb]

Thanks for all your replies.
I forgot that I brought from Maplins some time ago one of those Hobbyist rotary multi-tools with various mini grinding accessories. That works a treat. I new it would come in handy one day.

 

[carrpaul]

hi there you can use push fit but you will need to run pipe cutters around end to give grab ring somthing to bite in to you , i would use adjustable pipe cutters though not pipe slice ,till you get the hang of it .

 

[lame plumber]

tectite pushfit on chrome as long as you get theit nifty tool to score round the chrome leaving a cut that the gripper fits onto perfectly, remember tho that mini tec tites goes on and stays on , so measure twice before pushing

 

[Dotty]

Think this thread would be better in the fittings and pipes forum.

 

[Guest123]

Think this thread would be better in the fittings and pipes forum.

In the same thread as "The Croppie guide to destructing a domestic shut off valve?" :38:

Blame the Lord thy Bod for his informative sermon to the masses about this.