Anyone had experience with "spray chrome"
#1
Anyone had experience with "spray chrome"
Since it is getting more and more difficult and much more expensive to have chrome plating done I have been looking into spray chrome as an option for small parts. Has anyone here either used the product or purchased anything with this coating on it? Doesn't seem to be anyone in my area (Kansas City) offering this service so I'm also thinking of offsetting the equipment cost by doing small items for others. Big concern I have is durability and quality. Any comments? Thanks.
#2
What product are you refering to? I have seen some paint that comes out pretty shiny compared to "silver" paint but still won't pass for chrome, and also a newer powder coating that is quite good, several manufacturers Edelbrock notably, are offering it on some of their parts. I'll be experimenting with the powder coating as soon as I can get an oven set up in my new garage.
Have you checked St Louis for chrome plating shops? It's a bit of a drive from KC, but I'd bet there are at least one or two shops there. I'm pretty sure that's where I saw a pretty good sized place along the interstate to KC aimed at custom chrome for the big rig crowd. There are a number of hot rod shops (one that has a major indoor showroom where they sell hot rods and customs, worth the ride just to drool!) and custom bike shops there, call them and ask where they get their plating done.
Have you checked St Louis for chrome plating shops? It's a bit of a drive from KC, but I'd bet there are at least one or two shops there. I'm pretty sure that's where I saw a pretty good sized place along the interstate to KC aimed at custom chrome for the big rig crowd. There are a number of hot rod shops (one that has a major indoor showroom where they sell hot rods and customs, worth the ride just to drool!) and custom bike shops there, call them and ask where they get their plating done.
Last edited by AXracer; 03-07-2006 at 07:53 AM.
#3
Larry, have you tryed "A and A bumper plating Inc"? Their in Independence Mo. on Wilson Rd. The last parts I had done there were ready the next day. I take my parts in "ready to dip", and the price isn't bad. Their turnaround and prices seem better now that most bumpers are made of plastic.
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#4
#5
Ax- I have found three vendors so far: Alsa Corp.(ChromeFX), Gold Touch, Inc. (Cosmichrome), and SpectraChrome. All appear comparable and are priced in the $8K range plus mat'l. Trying to find someone who is actually using the products for feedback. I have a "user" number to call. We have a couple chrome plating shops left in the KC area but one only does small parts, one is 6-8 weeks out on delivery, and the other is so-so on quality. All are pricey for the quality
.
X-fordman- the so-so quality shop is the one you mentioned. A friend just took some items back for the third time due to poor finish. I believe their problem lies in the polishing before plating. Not to many laborers enjoy polishing metal.
It is a three stage process, base coat, chrome coat, and clearcoat using water borne chemicals. You can add colors to the chrome to get different effects. I have been told the durability is comparable to quality paint. I'll let you know if I decide to do anything on this. I have asked for some samples from the above companies so we'll see what I get.
.
X-fordman- the so-so quality shop is the one you mentioned. A friend just took some items back for the third time due to poor finish. I believe their problem lies in the polishing before plating. Not to many laborers enjoy polishing metal.
It is a three stage process, base coat, chrome coat, and clearcoat using water borne chemicals. You can add colors to the chrome to get different effects. I have been told the durability is comparable to quality paint. I'll let you know if I decide to do anything on this. I have asked for some samples from the above companies so we'll see what I get.
#7
I have a friend at Wyotech right now and they just sprayed the Alsa MirraChrome which is a 3 part paint system that doesn't use any special equipment. He said the stuff is amazing. It's like 98% reflective and if put on correctly looks exactly like chrome plating. It's about $450 per quart and can be top coated with a Urethane clear for protection.
Check out their website, there is a picture of a mini van that they sprayed with chrome paint and it's wild.
Check out their website, there is a picture of a mini van that they sprayed with chrome paint and it's wild.
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#8
#9
The initial cost is for the 2nd stage spray equipment and about 400-500 sq ft of material. As I understand it the first (prime) and last (clear) are done with normal paint spray guns but the chrome stage takes a special gun. De-ionized water or distilled water is required for this process. The literature doesn't mention anything about polishing the clear so I'm not certain if that is required or not. Without an oven it appears to be a 12-24 hour process. Seems you might also need a spray booth to assure you didn't have a dust problem.
#10
#11
OK, I checked out Alsa's web site, their products are awesome! They've really expanded their lines since the last time I looked at their paints. I see why the equipment is priced as it is. If you could find a commercial customer or two for the coating you could quickly pay for the equipment. I could see application possibilities for store/restaurant decor, custom logos and signs, outdoor displays etc. teaming up with commercial interior designers that work in modern themes.
#13
might check out www.sprayonchrome.com. Its spectra chrome but its got some pretty good pic's of how it works. like I had said earlier I saw them use the process at sema and I couldn't tell the difference.
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