Welding on a chrome bumper?

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Does the chrome need to come off or will it burn through it? Or is it like welding on glavanized or zinc with the toxic fumes? I had a bumper on my blazer with no trim holes and a billet insert, I ended up hitting a deer but it didn't mess the insert up. I want to take my factory chrome bumper that has the snap on trim and just weld up some 1/8" pieces behind the holes and then just fill in the gaps from the front. Then just take a plasma cutter and cut a hole out for the insert.Here's the aftermath, old bumper with no trim holes and insert: New bumper, it's chrome, I just scuffed it and painted it. The trim snaps into 1/4"x1" holes every 8 inches or so.I'm trying to get away from ordering a new $150 smooth aftermarket bumper from a body shop that may or may not fit right.
Reply:It welds through just fine. If you want to assue a better weld, just grind it down right where yo uare going to weld.
Reply:This could also be an opportune time to build your own custom front bumper with brush guard to keep any future deer out of your grill in the first place. You could even incorporate a winch mount into it if desired.
Reply:For people that search this topic I'll share some info. For you wanting to paint it when you're done you can just weld over the chrome. For people that want to chrome it again after welding, you need to make sure you grind the chrome off where you're welding. I've been told by chrome platers that it introduces too much nickel in the metal and causes problems when you go to plate it. Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Reply:Good "chrome" plating is actually multiple layers of materials due to the poor adhesion of chromium to steel.  The part is first acid etched clean, then a flash coat of copper is deposited, followed by a flash coat of nickel, and then the shiny chrome is plated on.  Depending on the finish of the parent metal the copper coat can be rather thick and is used to bring the surface to smooth before the more expensive nickel and chromium are added.Just welding through the "chrome" will leave all sorts of inclusions in the weld puddle.  The fumes of welding "chrome" can be toxic as well so care must be taken to provide adequate ventilation and proper respirators must be worn both when prepping and during the actual welding.RogerOld, Tired, and GRUMPYSalesman will call, Batteries not included, Assembly is required, and FREE ADVICE IS WORTH EXACTLY WHAT YOU PAY FOR IT!Dial Arc 250HFThunderbolt 225 AC/DCAssorted A/O torches
Reply:You can weld chrome bumpers with plain steel wire but 309L will give better results. Weld with minimum heat input to minimize peeling and discoloration of the surrounding chrome. Welds can be buffed up with a narrow wire wheel, but avoid contacting the chrome with the wire wheel, it will scratch.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:Chrome plating is like a micron thick, It'll weld through it just fine. I'f I was tigging it I would use stainless filler.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com