Plastic Plating

[rowhard]

Has anyone ever had any plastic chrome plated before? Am thinking of having the roof rails, rear spoiler and grill plated if its possible and not cost prohibited. Yes I am for show, not go, sorry.

[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.

[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.

[Cyrk]

A while back I need my center caps on my borbet rims re chromed... I found a place (which I cannot find again). And my caps are peeling again.

I just got off the horn with these guys (http://www.mmmetalizing.com/index.html), thanks Dino. going to send them my caps to get re chromed. 55 per cap or 12.50 depending on what method the last place use to do the re chroming.

I'll let you know how it works out.

-Dave