How do you chrome plastic?
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How do you chrome plastic? I asked the guy who runs A-1 Chrome Plating and he says that they only do metals. So I was wondering how they do plastic because he tried to convince me that they cant do it. If thats true, then how come my center caps for my wheels are chrome and theyre made out of plastic. I want to get my scoop insert chromed because I ordered the one from Afterthoughts Auto and I just wasnt happy with the finish. I dont know if it was mine or they all come like that, but the finish seemed to have pitts in it. It was a smooth chrome like finish. I will be sending it back and trying to get something going with the stock one. How would I go about getting that chromed? Thanks
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From: Houston, TX
Re: How do you chrome plastic? Do they do work for the public or is it for commercial use only? Do they do quality work? Do you think that I would end up paying less getting my stock one chromed rather than keeping the one from Afterthoughts Auto? How well does the process stick to the plastic? Do you think that they will be able to do the insert for the scoop? Is it the same process that Afterthoughts Auto use or do they have their own way of doing it? I ask that because I sure dont to have my piece coming back having the same finish as the one I have now. Thanks
Re: How do you chrome plastic? unfortunately I have no experience with them or the process. I just had that website marked in my favorites for reference. But you should be able to email them and get the info you need. If anything resaerch their site for info.
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From: Houston, TX
Re: How do you chrome plastic? Do you or anyone else know where I can get some plastic pieces chromed at, I would like to keep it local, but if I cant find anyone around here then I dont mind sending it out, thank you.
Re: How do you chrome plastic? Keep in mind that chrome plating will take on whatever texture it's applied to. The GM parts that Afterthoughts gets plated are slightly textured form the factory so the plating will have slight bumps in it. It's not thick enought to level out the surface and appear perfect like a bumper. This has been the case since the very first one I had done which started the trend. There is no plating company that can make the GM plastic scoop perfectly smooth unless you take the time to sand it down first and I'm not sure the platic they use will be too easy to sand. I think it may be a bit too soft.
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From: nj
Re: How do you chrome plastic? What most people do for plating plastic is what is known as vaccum metalizing. The vacuum metalized finish consists of a thin coating of aluminum (NOT CHROME) protected by a clear coating, usually of polyurethane. This clear coating is subject to cracking, peeling and yellowing and is often not compatible with the paints used to detail vacuum metalized finishes.
Than there is electroplating, which can get pricey aswell. I have spoken with a couple of companies, for electroplating one of them qouted me 15-18 dollars per "trans am" door letter (since they are seperate) and a 10 week turnaround. Now electroplating is more like chroming in which you actually use metal ions in the process.
Ion edge would want 300 dollars for the transam door emblems, they are a bulk place, and they said that is mostly the setup charge, which is out of the question.
I am currently speaking with some people regarding doing actually chroming. A professional company specializing in it. I might soon be offering transam letters, grills, inserts you name it, ACTUALLY chromed, at a relatively good price.
This would be REAL CHROME by adding real copper, nickel and chrome, hence the term triple chrome plating. You start out with making the plastic electrically conductive. Then adding copper which is polished to a mirror like finish. The final stage being the chrome plating. Not only does your plastic have the smooth appearance of a chrome aluminum piece, but it also feels like one.
I have not been totally qouted yet for a price, but i may get one HELL of a good one for doing all sorts of grills and emblems. (that are plastic) Plus i beileve a 3 week turn around. I will let everyone know.
Than there is electroplating, which can get pricey aswell. I have spoken with a couple of companies, for electroplating one of them qouted me 15-18 dollars per "trans am" door letter (since they are seperate) and a 10 week turnaround. Now electroplating is more like chroming in which you actually use metal ions in the process.
Ion edge would want 300 dollars for the transam door emblems, they are a bulk place, and they said that is mostly the setup charge, which is out of the question.
I am currently speaking with some people regarding doing actually chroming. A professional company specializing in it. I might soon be offering transam letters, grills, inserts you name it, ACTUALLY chromed, at a relatively good price.
This would be REAL CHROME by adding real copper, nickel and chrome, hence the term triple chrome plating. You start out with making the plastic electrically conductive. Then adding copper which is polished to a mirror like finish. The final stage being the chrome plating. Not only does your plastic have the smooth appearance of a chrome aluminum piece, but it also feels like one.
I have not been totally qouted yet for a price, but i may get one HELL of a good one for doing all sorts of grills and emblems. (that are plastic) Plus i beileve a 3 week turn around. I will let everyone know.
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Re: How do you chrome plastic? What process did they use on the center caps for my chrome 10 spoke SS wheels? Does anyone else make a chrome grill insert for the SS scoop or one that can be chromed? Thanks
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Verdad Gallardo Re: How do you chrome plastic? </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by NVMySS:
<strong> What process did they use on the center caps for my chrome 10 spoke SS wheels? Does anyone else make a chrome grill insert for the SS scoop or one that can be chromed? Thanks </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">More than likely they are vaccuum metallized, which is the most popular method of plating plastic.
<strong> What process did they use on the center caps for my chrome 10 spoke SS wheels? Does anyone else make a chrome grill insert for the SS scoop or one that can be chromed? Thanks </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">More than likely they are vaccuum metallized, which is the most popular method of plating plastic.
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Re: How do you chrome plastic? Where can I get that done at and how expensive is it? Im only looking to get my grill insert for the scoop on my hood done. Thanks
Re: How do you chrome plastic? </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by NVMySS:
<strong> Where can I get that done at and how expensive is it? Im only looking to get my grill insert for the scoop on my hood done. Thanks </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Just get the one from Afterthoughts Auto.
<strong> Where can I get that done at and how expensive is it? Im only looking to get my grill insert for the scoop on my hood done. Thanks </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Just get the one from Afterthoughts Auto.
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From: Houston, TX
Re: How do you chrome plastic? I have that one, but I wasnt happy on the finish. It had lots of pitts and it was a bit rough. For the look that it has, I should of just got some chrome paint and sprayed the factory one. Is there any kind of aftermarket insert for the scoop besides the one that Afterthoughts Auto offers? Thanks
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From: Showing Italians the power of LS1
Re: How do you chrome plastic? Go to HPAparts.com, they are the only ones that i've seen that carry these, They're more expensive, but I think they look better than the Afterthoughts grilles. They also carry the grilles for the side vents.
<img src="http://www.hpaparts.com/images/Parts/A002.jpg" alt=" - " />
<img src="http://www.hpaparts.com/images/Parts/A002.jpg" alt=" - " />
