Chrome plating plastic

[stahlz_ae86]

Hi folks, I'm looking to get a pair of fender mirror tops re-chromed but they are plastic and I am having trouble finding a place that can do it. Most places I see and ring in the yellow pages ad's do zinc only and the ones that do chrome only do metal. Does anyone know of a place in Melbourne that could do it? Or does someone on here know how to do vacuum metalizing?

[hypo23]

i got some plastic chromed at the bronzing studio in sydney, not cheap but worth it

["Z" UTE]

Try this mob in QLD. All Surface Chrome 2/17 Redcliffe Gardens Drive, Clontarf QLD. 0407593687.

Advertising that no heat is used, suitable for all plasics, ceramics and even wood.

The process would be similar to the vapour sputter process used by OEM suppliers.

Let us know how you get on.

cheers Chuck

[ian]

there is a place near the gold coast as well
i nearly bought the equipment to do it its a 2 part spray on process , and it does look like chrome not like chrombrite

[jeffro ra28]

This sounds good. So with something like an RA28 tail light surround. Does the whole thing get chromed and then painted over the area's you dont want chromed? As the chrome is only an outline of the lights and outer edge?

[SeptemberSquall]

there is a place in melbourne that does it, excelent plating works I think it is called. they can do an electroplating process on some plastics. I have used them before with excellent results (no pun intended)

["Z" UTE]

Jeffro, for the 28 taillights, you will find that the the paint is applied over the chrome. A light wipe with ultrafine steel wool is all that is required for the chrome to be rough enough for the paint to grip. However, this light approach before painting, is why most 28 lights have no paint left after 32 years.

I normally apply the paint, and almost immediately after, clean the edges of the chrome with a rag moistened with thinners.


cheers Chuck.

[jeffro ra28]

Thanks chuck thats damn handy info!!!!

[stahlz_ae86]

there is a place in melbourne that does it, excelent plating works I think it is called. they can do an electroplating process on some plastics. I have used them before with excellent results (no pun intended)

http://www.epw.com.au/location.html

Thanks, just dug up their site. Will enquire as to whether they can help me.

Did a google search once I realised I needed to search for "electroplating" rather than "chrome plating", found this crowd in Burwood...

http://www.precisionplating.com.au/plating/plastic/

Found this too...

http://www.skyetrading.com/Home.aspx

Will also be trying these guys via online quote...

http://www.chrometech.com.au/index.html

http://www.astorbasemetals.com.au/El...roplating.html

http://www.aclassmetal.com.au/plate_decorative.htm

Cheers to those guys with input, I hope one of the above can provide a service at a reasonable price.

[fade-e]

chrometech is the bronzing studio

astor do metal only, the will refer you to bronzing studio to get the base coat done and they can chrome after that, but might as well get bronzing to do the whole lot

cheers

[SeptemberSquall]

now you mention precision plating, I think I called excellent plating works first and ended up using precision plating. it was for a customer car at work so I don't recall sorry. I remember it was an electroplating type process and the result was superb, but I did use brand new parts.

[MWP]

Will also be trying these guys via online quote...

Pick up the phone and call them.
Youll get 10x the information, and find out who is really interested in doing the work for you and who has better customer service.

[styler]

the problem with chrome plating as far as i know is that its difficult and expensive as you need to plate with other layers as chrome is porus, also rough surfaces have to be filled and made smooth before plating for the best finish.

have you thought about smoothing them over yourself and using one of the new chrome paints that have come out, they are supposed to be very good and clear coat afterwards?
might be worth checking out, certainly would be cheaper.

else a new set of fender mirrors might also work out cheaper than reconditioning the old ones if thats an option...

[Shifty]

I have some stuff in with Chrometech at the moment.

I will post up how it goes.

[timbosaurus]

I'd be interestested to know how this goes mate!