Plated Kms

[Tikhman]

So I recently got the KM signature ice and on the stem there two places where it looks like the stem was held by when it was dipped during plating. Those spots look like brass on the purge valve. There is also a small space on the stem where the plating was chipped and I can see the brass. I'm wondering if anyone else has seen this on their plated stems?

On that note, I've been toying around with the idea of trying to strip the plating in one spot and see what happens, but at the same time, I don't want to ruin a beautiful stem.

[inino]

hmmm, well i cant tell you exactly whats under the plating, but i can tell you to test it with a magnet if you want to know what metal it is. im pretty sure brass and copper are un magnetic, and steel is magnetic. could be wrong, google it. but dont ruin a hookah to know what the plating is, especially a KM.

[Scoop]

the hose port and purge valve are brass. the rest is stainless steel (on your hookah from what i'm led to believe)

[mushrat]

They chrome plated stainless steel?

[MechAnt]

Hell, chrome it and the people will come

[AmunRa]

Usually it is cast brass which is then turned down and plated with chrome or nickel. The chrome ones are cheaper.

And yes, brass is non-magnetic. Some stainless steels are mildly magnetic also. Brass is very cheap, and it is easy to work with (both foundry and machining), which is why a lot of pipes are made from it.

I have a KM that is stainless, brass, copper, and plated brass. AKA trimetal.