CAN YOU RE-CHROME PLASTIC

gabes455olds · 04-16-2008, 08:19 PM

Hi guys,

I just bought a 77 header panel for my cutlass and it's grills and headlight bezels probably aren't in the best of shape. Does anyone know if I can rechrome those things???

amh555 · 04-17-2008, 02:51 AM

Paul's Chrome Plating does that I think. I saw an episode of "My Classic Car" TV show and they were showing how they have perfected a technique to put real chrome on plastic in the same way as steel. They say they are the only ones with the process becuse they invented it.
The link is to a place that has a link to them. Their site has music on it and it always freezes up my PC.

Allan

http://www.musclecarrestorations.com...ls_chrome.html

gabes455olds · 04-17-2008, 05:39 AM

thanks

tpawlik · 04-17-2008, 09:10 AM

Pauls Chrome can do it, but you will need a second mortgage to pay for it! I sent them the two plastic armrests from my 62 Starfire. They wanted over $800 to rechrome both. I found CV Vacuum Platers online, they did a beautiful job replating and repainting both armrests for a little over $200. www.cvvacuumplaters.com

oldsracer67 · 04-18-2008, 08:59 AM

Check out Hemmings, I don't remember who but I had the plastic H/O emblems re-chromed and they look great.

Ragtopbird · 04-18-2008, 10:46 PM

Hey for $115 buck and do it at home not a bad deal http://www.alsacorp.com/products/kil...llerchrome.htm

amh555 · 04-19-2008, 04:29 AM

Yeah that Paul's Chrome Plating is expensive, must be because but they put on actual chrome instead of vacuum plating. I need some interior pieces done too, will have to check out those vac plating dudes.

Allan

ottoparts · 06-18-2008, 08:22 PM

Hello, there is an excellent plastic chroming place in Auburn Washington that i have used for alot of plastic parts.with a very quick turnaroud time.. www.profinishinc.com

Oldsguy · 06-19-2008, 05:08 AM

Check out the August edition of HOT ROD page 102. There is an article that uses that process and mentions a company called AutoInstruments, probably in California. It has some good pictures.

Texascarnut · 06-19-2008, 07:35 AM

Check out Caswell Plating at: http://caswellplating.com/ You'll find a miriade of do it yourself, environmentally safe, plating options for all materials including plastics.

joe_padavano · 06-19-2008, 07:55 AM

First, there are two kinds of "chrome" plating used on plastic parts. The first (which is what most of these parts have) is actually a thin coating of aluminum. The process is called vapor deposition and the bare plastic parts are put in a vacuum chamber while vaporized aluminum flows in and condenses on the parts. They are then polished. Many vendors can restore this coating, but at a price.

The other method is true chrome and is usually a much more expensive custom process. The process starts with vacuum deposition, as above, but using copper instead of aluminum. This copper coating allows the normal process of nickel and then chrome coatings to be applied. The result is phenomenal but at a price.

gearheads78 · 06-19-2008, 09:28 AM

Never used them but I have been told Mr G's in Ft Worth Tx does good work.

BILL DEMMER · 06-19-2008, 11:26 PM

apparently, there is also a third method...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9mh6t0ILvE&

bill

Oldsguy · 06-20-2008, 05:05 AM

interesting, that stuff went on awfully wet!

04-16-2008, 08:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
gabes455olds Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 22	CAN YOU RE-CHROME PLASTIC Hi guys, I just bought a 77 header panel for my cutlass and it's grills and headlight bezels probably aren't in the best of shape. Does anyone know if I can rechrome those things??? __________________

04-17-2008, 05:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
gabes455olds Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 22	thanks __________________

06-18-2008, 08:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
ottoparts Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 5	good plastic chroming place. Hello, there is an excellent plastic chroming place in Auburn Washington that i have used for alot of plastic parts.with a very quick turnaroud time.. www.profinishinc.com

06-19-2008, 05:08 AM	#9 (permalink)
Oldsguy Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 3,167	Check out the August edition of HOT ROD page 102. There is an article that uses that process and mentions a company called AutoInstruments, probably in California. It has some good pictures. __________________ Dan '77 Cutlass Supreme '46 2 door

06-19-2008, 07:55 AM	#11 (permalink)
joe_padavano Moderator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 1,871	First, there are two kinds of "chrome" plating used on plastic parts. The first (which is what most of these parts have) is actually a thin coating of aluminum. The process is called vapor deposition and the bare plastic parts are put in a vacuum chamber while vaporized aluminum flows in and condenses on the parts. They are then polished. Many vendors can restore this coating, but at a price. The other method is true chrome and is usually a much more expensive custom process. The process starts with vacuum deposition, as above, but using copper instead of aluminum. This copper coating allows the normal process of nickel and then chrome coatings to be applied. The result is phenomenal but at a price. __________________ Joe Padavano 64 Jetstar 88 Conv 66 442 L-69 Conv 68 W-30 69 H/O 69 442 70 W-30 72 442 84 Custom Cruiser 86 Caprice wagon (w/307 Olds)

04-17-2008, 02:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
amh555 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 296	Paul's Chrome Plating does that I think. I saw an episode of "My Classic Car" TV show and they were showing how they have perfected a technique to put real chrome on plastic in the same way as steel. They say they are the only ones with the process becuse they invented it. The link is to a place that has a link to them. Their site has music on it and it always freezes up my PC. Allan http://www.musclecarrestorations.com...ls_chrome.html

04-17-2008, 09:10 AM	#4 (permalink)
tpawlik Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 9	Pauls Chrome can do it, but you will need a second mortgage to pay for it! I sent them the two plastic armrests from my 62 Starfire. They wanted over $800 to rechrome both. I found CV Vacuum Platers online, they did a beautiful job replating and repainting both armrests for a little over $200. www.cvvacuumplaters.com

04-18-2008, 08:59 AM	#5 (permalink)
oldsracer67 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 18	Check out Hemmings, I don't remember who but I had the plastic H/O emblems re-chromed and they look great.

04-18-2008, 10:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ragtopbird Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 4	Hey for $115 buck and do it at home not a bad deal http://www.alsacorp.com/products/kil...llerchrome.htm

04-19-2008, 04:29 AM	#7 (permalink)
amh555 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 296	Yeah that Paul's Chrome Plating is expensive, must be because but they put on actual chrome instead of vacuum plating. I need some interior pieces done too, will have to check out those vac plating dudes. Allan

06-19-2008, 07:35 AM	#10 (permalink)
Texascarnut Geezer Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: So. Central Texas Posts: 71	Check out Caswell Plating at: http://caswellplating.com/ You'll find a miriade of do it yourself, environmentally safe, plating options for all materials including plastics.

06-19-2008, 09:28 AM	#12 (permalink)
gearheads78 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 315	Never used them but I have been told Mr G's in Ft Worth Tx does good work. __________________ 66 Cutlass ragtop my way

06-19-2008, 11:26 PM	#13 (permalink)
BILL DEMMER Just the facts... Join Date: May 2008 Location: THE GREAT WIDE-OPEN Posts: 147	apparently, there is also a third method... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9mh6t0ILvE& bill __________________ '67 CUTLASS 4-DR. W/425 & S.P. THM400 (NAMED "ERNIE") '83 H/O #1339(STILL IN PIECES) '85 PONTIAC FIERO SE V-6 4-SPD. BOUGHT NEW '92 CHEBBY DIS-ASTRO (GAS PIG) '97 GYRO METRO $HYTBOX (41.42 MPG)

06-20-2008, 05:05 AM	#14 (permalink)
Oldsguy Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 3,167	interesting, that stuff went on awfully wet! __________________ Dan '77 Cutlass Supreme '46 2 door

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