Plastic Plating

[Dino]

You're looking for a vacuum metalizing facility...
Here's one place that offers colors on the topcoat....
http://www.mmmetalizing.com/index.html


Go here, scroll down to the last paragraph on plastic chroming. It's a good explanation of the process.
http://www.chromeservices.com/process.htm



...and ya know what the bikers say in a song about chrome...

The chrome don't get ya home..
The chrome don't get ya home..
...but you look GOOD, on the side of the road!

[Ascinder]

You might want to check out these guys too.
http://alsacorp.com/paints.htm

I have been thinking this would be a good alternative for some of our plastic parts like the side mirrors, and maybe the grill.

[rowhard]

Yes, I have looked at their products too. I just got back from Parkland WA to get a quote from this outfit that does plastic chroming,... shocking. I guess the grey ain't so bad after all.

They don't use the vacuum metalizing which I thought was new but they said it is old tech with a 3 week turnaround. I did see some of their work and it was outstanding but the price was shocking so will look elsewhere.

[WyrreJ]

Oh man, don't just say "shocking" - at least give us a ballpark number. One man's shocking is another man's chump change. Or maybe it's one man's shocking is another man's youhavegottobefreakingkiddingme.

[rowhard]

I think it would be the 'youhavegottobefreakingkiddingme' for everyone. 1100 bucks for the rails, rear spoiler and grill egg crate. I didn't even get to the mirrors, was to busy looking in them making sure I didn't knock his building down trying to get the heck out of there. Now mind you, this was a big business and wasn't interested in piece work. Maybe I will find some guy making a living on the side that is more reasonable.

[Dino]

Well, here's a copy paste from the link I previously posted.


We can accommodate any sized object up to 60 inches.

Typical pricing for wheel center caps:

1 to 3 inches = $ 9.50
4 to 9 inches = $12.50
10-12 inches = $15.00 Our wheel center cap service includes:

no charge for pickup and delivery (within 50 mile radius of Westminster, California, USA)
no minimum quantities
no charge for masking of logos
no charge for extra sanding (caps only)
Pricing for all other specialty items is done upon request, please contact us.

We have the fastest turn around time in the industry - typically it takes 2 to 3 days for wheel center caps and 7 to 21 days for other items. For example wheel center caps received by Wednesday morning can be delivered back to you Friday or Monday depending on your location. Items received on Friday morning are usually ready by the following Wednesday.

Quality and service has never been better.

No job is too small or too large.

Got something different you wish to metalize or chrome plate, send it our way, M&M Metalizing Sales chroming service is definitely not limited to the automotive trade. We are happy to plate anything you desire eg: toys, model figures, boat accessories, home furnishings ... just ask!

Seems like it would be worth a phone call. They're in California.

[rowhard]

You might want to check out these guys too.
http://alsacorp.com/paints.htm

Just finished speaking with some folks up in Kent Washington called ProFinish Inc. They use to use this alsacorp product but weren't really pleased with it I guess, so they are now using a product out of Canada, don't know the name of it. It's a 3 part system like alacorp is but I guess better results. Gone to take a few photo's of what I want done and email them so I can get a guestamation on cost. Here is their web page for anyone that wants to check out their work, sure has a nice shine.
http://www.profinishinc.com/html/custom.html

[rowhard]

Okay, so this guy at ProFinishes scared me too, not as bad, but almost. so, I ordered their (Alsa) video to see how difficult it is and maybe I will do it myself. will keep you all posted and maybe with photo's. And if all else fails, I can always just paint it grey again, yuck

[Ascinder]

I think alsa has a video showing the guy doing the process in real time. I think you have to have a semi shiny surface to begin with for best results, but he just sprays the stuff on like spraypaint and presto-cadabra you have a mirrored finish. Looks easy enough. They can chrome anything too, even candles and wood and stuff. They also have some awesome effects for doing off the wall stuff.

[rowhard]

Your right for the most part. You shot a black base coat like your doing dupont chrome Illusion, but you clear coat it for the gloss, then you lay a very dry powder coat of the chrome which I guess is a very fine aluminium like talc then clear coat it again for UV protection, but I'd still like to see it done and the end result other then a computer graphic. and at 429.00 a quart for the kit, I just want a warm fuzzy before I start