| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 648.1 | auto restorers do this | TALLIS::LADD | | Wed Aug 10 1988 10:45 | 7 |
| norm,
i've seen ads in automotive magazines for this service. most common
application is rechroming plastic bezels and knobs for dashboard
trim pieces. try hemmings motor news or auto restoration mags.
kevin
|
| 648.2 | Here's a suggestion... | MJBOOT::BENSON | __Frank Benson, DTN 348-2244__ | Wed Aug 10 1988 14:41 | 9 |
| You might want to try "chrome" spray paint (like from a home center
or hardware store). I've had good luck with the stuff on all kinds
of things, although never used it in this particular application.
For $2.00 or so, it might be worth a try!
|
\ ____|____ / Regards,
\________________________O_________________________/ Frank.
|
| 648.3 | Look for Testor's | IDO725::MCKEE | We have the technology... | Wed Aug 10 1988 15:53 | 7 |
|
Testors makes a chrome spray for plastic models. It comes in
the little spray can.
Look for it in hobby shops that carry plastic model kits.
Jim
|
| 648.4 | Nope, paint won't do it... | MAGIC1::BEAUDET | Beware...the Junk_Yard_Dog! | Fri Aug 12 1988 08:06 | 22 |
|
The "best" chrome paint I have found has been automotive
Dupli-color spray paint. And it doesn't even come CLOSE
to the richness of "factory" dipped chrome pieces.
I have been calling all over Mass and RI trying to find
a place to get this work done - even hobby shops are not
able to help. I did find out from platers that NO paint
will produce the gloss I am looking for and the process
to produce such a "work of art" requires actual metal
plating.
I do like the reply in <.1> about re-conditioning shops.
I guess I'll have to pick up a couple books...I even think
there is an auto restorer in Sterling that I'll have to
check out.
I'll post whatever the results of this quest are - in case
"chroming" is needed by other modelers.
Norm
|
| 648.5 | Try vacuum deposition. | OPUS::BUSCH | | Fri Aug 12 1988 09:30 | 15 |
| Re < Note 648.4 by MAGIC1::BEAUDET "Beware...the Junk_Yard_Dog!" >
Another possible alternative if you have the facilities available is vacuum
deposition. Some labs that have IC manufacturing facilities or scanning electron
microscopes also have vacuum chambers into which you could place small plastic
parts. Then a metal is heated in the chamber and the atoms boil off and are
deposited on anything in their path. For your purposes, aluminum would be
adequate. Small loops of aluminum wire are hung from a braided or twisted
tungston filament in the chamber. The object to be plated is placed in a
line-of-sight to the filament and the chamber is evacuated to about .5 PSI or
better. The filament is then heated and the aluminum melts and coats the
tungston. As it heats up, atoms of the aluminum are driven off and coat
everything in their path. I'm told the coating is quite durable.
Dave Busch
|
| 648.6 | Chrome wing leading edges? | K::FISHER | There's a whale in the groove! | Fri Aug 12 1988 12:19 | 11 |
| < Note 648.0 by MAGIC1::BEAUDET "Beware...the Junk_Yard_Dog!" >
What is it you are trying to chrome plate?
MonoKote chrome trim is very nice but it won't go around complex curves.
Has anybody ever heated that stuff and tried to go around a complex curve?
Bye --+--
Kay R. Fisher |
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| 648.7 | still looking... | MAGIC1::BEAUDET | Beware...the Junk_Yard_Dog! | Mon Aug 15 1988 07:26 | 32 |
| re <.5> vacuum deposition
My understanding is that this is the actual process by which kits
parts are "chrome plated". The process is as described except prior
to coating, plastic parts are laquer coated to remove surface
impurities and provide a consistent base for application. And this
step is repeated after coating to proivde the polish/luster of the
coating.
It seems that this process, as well as actual aluminum plating of
plastic was done frequently around this area because of the plastics
industry locally. There are even some companies (although I can't
seem to find any) that have a spray process that duplicates the
"chrome" look. This was used on toy guns and holsters, trucks,
etc.. But I have had no luck finding anyone still using the spray
process, or setup to plate on plastic - only metal.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
For info [re .6] the parts I'm trying to coat are the undercarriage
frame, axle supports, guards, and axels of an RC truck. Since the
undercarriage components would be "vulnerable" to impact, anything
done must be durable (along with looking good). So paint, which
not only doesn't provide the look I want, wouldn't be durable enough
even with topcoats of laquer.
I do have a couple leads (via antique/restoration car companies)
of places in Florida that coat plastic - I'll just have to keep
looking.
Norm
|