Trade Assistant - Chrome Plating

TRADES ASSISTANT - CHROME PLATING

EL DEGE Plating Pty Ltd is seeking a Trades Assistant – Chrome Plating to join our busy polishing, metal finishing, plating and chroming workshop at our new facility in Caboolture, Queensland. We specialise in polishing and decorative chrome plating for automotive parts, motorcycle parts, small truck parts, lures, custom machined parts, restoration pieces and a range of specialist customer-owned metal components.

This is a full-time or part-time workshop-based role suited to a reliable, hands-on person who takes pride in supporting high-quality, consistent finishes. The successful applicant will assist with metal preparation, polishing support, chrome plating tasks, cleaning, masking, racking, inspection and general workshop activities under the direction of the Workshop Manager, Chrome Plater/s and Metal Polisher/s.

About the Role

As a Trades Assistant – Chrome Plating, you will support the preparation, polishing, plating and finishing of metal components. This includes assisting with grinding, sanding, linishing, buffing, degreasing, masking, racking, cleaning, inspection and final finishing tasks required to achieve smooth, reflective and consistent results for decorative chrome plating.

You will work with old and new parts made from steel, mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium, alloy, die-cast, brass, copper, nickel and other applicable metals. The role requires strong practical ability, attention to detail, safe workshop practices and a willingness to learn chrome plating and broader metal finishing processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with preparing metal components for plating, chroming or final finishing by cleaning, degreasing, sanding, linishing, polishing, buffing, masking, racking and inspecting parts before processing;

• Provide polishing support by helping remove scratches, pitting, weld marks, oxidation, blemishes and other surface imperfections from metal parts;

• Use appropriate polishing compounds, abrasives, wheels, belts, mops, hand tools and workshop equipment under direction and in line with safe operating procedures;

• Assist with chrome plating tasks, including loading and unloading racks, moving components through approved process steps, rinsing, drying, packing and general plating support duties;

• Support Chrome Plater/s and Metal Polisher/s to operate polishing lathes, pedestal grinders, linishers, sanders, buffing machines, plating tanks, rectifiers and related workshop equipment safely and effectively;

• Inspect components before and after preparation, polishing and plating support tasks to assist with quality, consistency, smoothness and suitability for chrome plating or final finishing;

• Work from job cards, customer instructions, samples, drawings or supervisor and management directions to help achieve the required finish;

• Protect critical surfaces, threads, holes and edges during preparation, polishing, masking, racking and finishing work;

• Identify defects, damage, contamination, poor adhesion risks, dullness or other issues that may affect the final finish and report concerns promptly;

• Assist with solution maintenance, filtration, testing, waste handling, packing and other general metal finishing tasks when required and authorised;

• Maintain tools, tanks, racks, equipment and work areas in a clean, safe and organised condition; and

• Support production targets while maintaining workmanship, safety, environmental and customer quality standards.

Skills, Experience and Attributes

• Previous experience in metal polishing, metal finishing, plating, chroming, fabrication, restoration, manufacturing or a similar workshop environment is desirable but not essential;

• Experience with surface preparation, polishing support, defect removal or chrome plating preparation will be highly regarded;

• Ability to assist in producing smooth, reflective and consistent finishes on metal components;

• Confident use of hand tools, power tools and workshop equipment, or the ability to learn safe and effective use quickly;

• Strong attention to detail and pride in workmanship;

• Ability to follow instructions, job cards, production priorities and safety procedures;

• Commitment to learn and apply workshop safety, PPE requirements, chemical awareness, dust control, noise control, electrical safety and manual handling risks;

• Physically capable of standing for extended periods and handling customer-owned metal parts safely and carefully;

• Reliable, punctual and able to work both independently and as part of a team; and

• Willingness to learn chrome plating, polishing and broader specialist metal finishing processes.

Qualifications and Training

• Formal trade qualifications are not required, although some experience in engineering, fabrication, manufacturing, surface finishing or metal trades will be highly regarded but not essential;

• On-the-job training will be provided for candidates with strong practical ability and a good safety attitude; and

• Australian work rights are required.

What We Offer

• Full-time or part-time opportunity available for the right candidate;

• Hands-on workshop role with a busy and established chrome plating business;

• Opportunity to develop further skills in polishing, preparation, plating, chroming and specialist metal finishing; and

• Varied work across automotive parts, motorcycle parts, small truck parts, lures, custom machined components, restoration pieces and specialist customer-owned metal components.

How to Apply

If you are a reliable and practical Trades Assistant who takes pride in quality workmanship and wants to join a busy chrome plating, polishing and metal finishing workshop, we would like to hear from you. Please apply with your resume and a brief outline of your previous and relevant experience.