Chroming Plastic

dont think you can do that* but you can spray shiney, metal looking silver paint on it.



*its done by a process of electroplating and plastic doesnt conduct electricity!
 
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You can chrome rubber......*thank you star wars epidose 3 dvd*
But I odnt know where you could get it done
 
Plastic can be chrome plated, it's done by priming the plastic with a conductive paint first and then electroplating the chrome on. Most good electroplaters should be able to do it :).
 
http://www.chromeservices.com/process.htm

Bottom of page mate.

sunny_d_bottle-175b.jpg


hehe
 
You can chrome plastic using paints, but you need to be decent with an airbrush.

Basically you prep the plastic using something like Halfords plastic bumper primer, it’s around £3 or something a can. Grey is a good idea, wash the plastic and prime grey. You then need to airbrush some black “enamel” paint to the part and allow to dry. Then www.alclad2.com sells bottle chrome paint. You then spray using an airbrush at 15psi. It’s tricky but it can be done.

Plasti kote or something also sell aerosol chrome paint, you can get this from Halfords as well. I’ve chromed plastic before, just using primer, black paint and airbrushed lacquer chrome. It’s important to prime, as lacquer melts plastics, but Halfords plastic primer protects, and helps the paint stick.

Of cause, if you don’t have an airbrush, or access to anything like this, then canned chrome paint is the better option, or a plating service.

Edit - OK, website has expired. Odd - try here http://www.modelsinmotion.co.uk/category.asp?catcode=83&tamiya=273
 
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BillytheImpaler said:
It can certainly be done. As a kid i had enumerable toys that were chromed. the chrome would always rub or fall off revealing the yellowish beige plastic below.

[nerdy engineer]
The plastic electroplating process was invented by Richard Feynman.
[/nerdy engineer]
Click to expand...

I remember this as well... The yellow plastic is the clear paint they apply to stop the chrome plating melting the plastic.. It does wear off over time.
 
This is very cool info. I need to rechrome my spotlight on my car as the parabolic reflector has been eaten away by the salt on the roads.....
 
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