Chrome on Plastic

[Gerard F.]

Has anyone ever rechromed or chrome painted a plastic knob such as a 67 lighter knob?

If I can find a method, I'll give it a try with a spare original I have.

[Tom H.]

Re: Chrome on Plastic

Hey Gerard !

Try this place. They do chrome on plastic for model cars. They can probably help. They do dash parts for real cars too !

http://www.chrometechusa.com/

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Chrome on Plastic

Jerry:
I plate plastic all the time. Caswell has all the supplies you need although it is costly for one item. First you need to make the plastic electrically conductive.
You need to coat the plastic with a paint that will adhere to plastic and have conductive qualities. "Silvaspray" from Caswell is the coating. It is expensive because it is rich in silver. Then you need to plate with acid copper so you can get a very smooth, shiny base for the nickel/chrome or their "Copy Chrome" which is nickel in a cobalt enriched bath which makes the plate tarnish proof and have the deep "bluish" quality of chrome. I have been using this for several years.
Jeff

[Steven B.]

Re: Chrome on Plastic

Jerry, a coupleof vendors advertise in Hemmings for chroming plastic interior parts if you want to farm it out. Search under services at Hemmings.com.

Steve

[William C.]

Re: Chrome on Plastic

Original parts were created with a process known as "vacuum metalizing" Been 40 years since I saw it in our engineering lab at work, so I don't remember all the deatils, but "Hemmings" has ads in the "services" section for folks who have the equipment to re-metalize old parts if you underlying plastic is in good shape.

[Terry M.]

Re: Chrome on Plastic

The part to be "chromed" is placed in a vacuum along with a piece of aluminum. The aluminum is melted with an electric arc and the molten aluminum is deposited on everything inside the vacuum chamber.

I am sure it is more complex than that, but that is the basic process. I would expect some protective coating is also applied to the deposited aluminum, but I don't know what that might be.

[Gary C.]

Re: Chrome on Plastic

Mr. G's in Forth Worth does alot of MOPAR knob rechroming. (817) 831-3501 mrgs@mrgusa.com www.mrgusa.com Gary....

[Tom H.]

Re: Chrome on Plastic

Original parts were created with a process known as "vacuum metalizing" Been 40 years since I saw it in our engineering lab at work, so I don't remember all the deatils, but "Hemmings" has ads in the "services" section for folks who have the equipment to re-metalize old parts if you underlying plastic is in good shape.

The company that I posted earlier uses this technique.

[Gary B.]

Chrome on Plastic; Farm it out...

Jerry, a coupleof vendors advertise in Hemmings for chroming plastic interior parts if you want to farm it out. Search under services at Hemmings.com.

Steve

Steve,

When it comes to plating most things, "Jerry Fuccillo" and "farm it out" are a contradiction in terms.

Gary

[Steven B.]

Re: Chrome on Plastic; Farm it out...

Steve,

When it comes to plating most things, "Jerry Fuccillo" and "farm it out" are a contradiction in terms.

Gary

Right Gary! I recall his rear suspension "problem" and the box delivered on his doorstep. That is why I said "if" --- actually I just did it out of habit.

Steve

[Gerard F.]

Re: Chrome on Plastic; Farm it out...

Steve,

When it comes to plating most things, "Jerry Fuccillo" and "farm it out" are a contradiction in terms.

Gary

Gary,

I really did investigate the vacuum metallizing, but I couldn't fit the equipment in the garage (as well as pay for it). Also not into the Caswell Copy Chrome, yet.

So my Plan B for one lighter knob is to investigate the mirror chrome paint, airbrushed on, like they do with the models.

Looks like another project coming up, and before I finish the last.

But having lots of fun.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Chrome on Plastic

Jerry:
If this paint is the laquer paint that you put on over a gloss black, I have tried it and was not satisfied. On a very small part it looked ok but the larger the part the more it did not appear to be chrome. I would be anxious to see your reults and hear your opinion. By the way- CopyChrome is a great product for small pieces like brackets or fasteners. I took a small deduct for some screws that were "too nice" (not typical factory production) at the Novi regional that were plated with this. Let us all know how the paint works.
Jeff