CAN YOU RE-CHROME PLASTIC

gabes455olds · April 16th, 2008, 09:19 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???

Bluevista · April 17th, 2008, 03:51 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 · April 17th, 2008, 06:39 AM

thanks

tpawlik · April 17th, 2008, 10:10 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 · April 18th, 2008, 09:59 AM

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

Ragtopbird · April 18th, 2008, 11:46 PM

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

Bluevista · April 19th, 2008, 05:29 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 · June 18th, 2008, 09:22 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 · June 19th, 2008, 06:08 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 · June 19th, 2008, 08:35 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 · June 19th, 2008, 08:55 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 · June 19th, 2008, 10:28 AM

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

BILL DEMMER · June 20th, 2008, 12:26 AM

apparently, there is also a third method...

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

bill

Oldsguy · June 20th, 2008, 06:05 AM

interesting, that stuff went on awfully wet!

April 16th, 2008, 09:19 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??? __________________

April 17th, 2008, 06:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
gabes455olds Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 22	thanks __________________

June 18th, 2008, 09:22 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

June 19th, 2008, 06:08 AM	#9 (permalink)
Oldsguy Hot Rodder at heart Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 5,360	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 "The rocket 455.....it's a sledgehammer approach to a thumbtack world" LuxBlue of HAMB.

June 19th, 2008, 08:55 AM	#11 (permalink)
joe_padavano Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,396	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)

April 17th, 2008, 03:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
Bluevista Cruisin' the Vistas Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Northeast Ohio Posts: 1,721	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

April 17th, 2008, 10:10 AM	#4 (permalink)
tpawlik Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 25	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

April 18th, 2008, 09:59 AM	#5 (permalink)
oldsracer67 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 29	Check out Hemmings, I don't remember who but I had the plastic H/O emblems re-chromed and they look great.

April 18th, 2008, 11:46 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

April 19th, 2008, 05:29 AM	#7 (permalink)
Bluevista Cruisin' the Vistas Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Northeast Ohio Posts: 1,721	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

June 19th, 2008, 08:35 AM	#10 (permalink)
Texascarnut Geezer Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: So. Central Texas Posts: 269	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.

June 19th, 2008, 10:28 AM	#12 (permalink)
gearheads78 Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,564	Never used them but I have been told Mr G's in Ft Worth Tx does good work. __________________ -Richard 66 Cutlass ragtop my way Keep watching your cotton candy coated TV while your world falls apart around you...

June 20th, 2008, 12:26 AM	#13 (permalink)
BILL DEMMER Just the facts... Join Date: May 2008 Location: THE GREAT WIDE-OPEN Posts: 208	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)

June 20th, 2008, 06:05 AM	#14 (permalink)
Oldsguy Hot Rodder at heart Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 5,360	interesting, that stuff went on awfully wet! __________________ Dan '77 Cutlass Supreme '46 2 door "The rocket 455.....it's a sledgehammer approach to a thumbtack world" LuxBlue of HAMB.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
plastic fender liners	bbolds442	Parts Wanted	0	April 2nd, 2008 07:52 PM
Painting inner plastic fenders	72rocket	Chassis/Body/Frame	8	January 13th, 2008 03:39 PM
clear plastic parts	ztim	Chassis/Body/Frame	7	July 11th, 2007 05:18 PM
rechrome plastic	mpothuizen	Interior/Upholstery	5	April 23rd, 2007 12:45 PM
Plastic Chroming?	NWG-body	Other	0	October 30th, 2004 08:30 PM