Mix chromic acid crystals with sulfuric acid fluid in 100:1 proportions. For instance, use 936 grams of chromic acid crystals with 9.36 milliliter sulfuric acid fluid. Add the acid solution to 1 gallon of demineralized water. You can vary these proportions in accordance for the quantity of solution that you want to create--for instance, if you want to make one pint for small work, divide the chromic acid, sulfuric acid and water amounts by 8.
Peroxidize the lead strips. Causing the lead strips to develop a layer of lead oxide on their surface will prevent them, during chrome plating, from forming a layer of lead chromate that will insulate them and prevent them from being effective. To peroxidize, connect the anodes to the DC power supply (one positive, one negative) and submerge in a solution of 5 percent sulfuric acid in water. Adjust the current density to 5 amperes, and maintain for 15 minutes. Then reverse the DC polarity and maintain for 15 minutes. Finally reverse the DC polarity back to its original state and maintain for 15 minutes.
Connect the anodes to the anode in your electrolytic cell. Allow for at least 50 percent more anode surface area in the electrolytic cell than the surface area of the object being plated.
Connect the object to be plated to the cathode. Pour the electrolytic solution that you previously made in into the electrolytic cell.
Place the electrolytic cell on a magnetic stirrer with a heating plate. Drop a magnetic stir bar into the electrolytic cell. Use the heating plate to maintain the contents of the electrolytic cell at 45 to 50 degrees Celsius. Set the stirrer to stir constantly in order to continually refresh the chrome solution.
Connect the DC power source to the bath, and run 10 amps of current through the bath.
Remove the power source from the bath. Use tongs to remove the object from the bath. Rinse it several times with distilled water, and allow it to dry. Dispose off your electrolyte bath, according to your lab's protocols for environmentally safe chemical disposal.