The corrosion protection and surface appearance of a metal or plastic article plated with one or more layers of a conductive metal such as nickel or cobalt and a decorative layer of chromium is improved by contacting the surface of the chromium with sand or other particulate substance with sufficient force to form micropores extending at least part way through the layer of chromium. This is achieved by conveying the particles into contact with the plated surface using suitable vibratory equipment or by suspending the particles in a fluid medium such as a water slurry, a fluidized bed, air stream or the like. The length of the treatment should be sufficient to produce a micropore density of at least 3,000 and preferably at least 40,000 pores per square inch. The individual micropores cannot be visually observed and the treatment does not otherwise alter the bright appearance of the decorative chrome.
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