chroming fiberglass can it be done?

[JeffP1167]

I see plastic grills on vehicles chromed but can fiberglass be done?

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

yes-ish.... vacuum plating. It's not dipped chrome, but it's the same technique they use to chrome plastic grills at the factory

 

[JeffP1167]

yes-ish.... vacuum plating. It's not dipped chrome, but it's the same technique they use to chrome plastic grills at the factory

have any links to companies?

 

[BBShark]

Vacuum metalizing is not very durable for exterior components (which I think is what you are asking about)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuum_metallizing

Actual chrome over plastics can be done with some materials like ABS.

 

[DeeVeeEight]

I don't know what it is you want "chromed" but if it is not too critical, you might want to consider these options.
I re-did the chrome around my dash lenses with this silver marker and the chrome seat parts with Dupli-color spray chrome.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

yes-ish.... vacuum plating. It's not dipped chrome, but it's the same technique they use to chrome plastic grills at the factory

have any links to companies?

http://amfauburn.com/

I'm not sure I'd send the part across the country - but these guys are an example of coating specialities for non-traditional materials.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

I don't know what it is you want "chromed" but if it is not too critical, you might want to consider these options.
I re-did the chrome around my dash lenses with this silver marker and the chrome seat parts with Dupli-color spray chrome.

mmmmm.... Skylark

 

[Richard454]

I bought my sidepipe covers already done- but I was disappointed-scratched easily. I know the guy had spent several hundred dollars on them getting them "chromed"....

This does look interesting-

http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/spray-on-chrome/1232328/

 

[JeffP1167]

The parts I want to chrome is my cooling capsule, the air intake system (think that is plastic though) the evaporator core box, the electric fan mounts and blades.

Thought all that would be nice finishing touch to my c4 conversion.

 

[advancedtooling]

Thanks Richard that is a very interesting video.

 

[68/70Vette]

I was once looking at a large pick-up truck with damage to it's bumper. It cracked at at close look, it was vacuum deposited chrome over plastic.

I've often wondered about creating fiberglass gel coated versions of C3 rear bumpers and chrome vacuum depositing them. The fiberglass versions would be a lot lighter and not that much of a safety problem, since the iron bumpers are mostly worthless. Also, vacuum deposition might do a better job. Using electrolytic plating, it's hard to get chrome into the inner "elbow" where the vertical sections of the bumper (near the license plate) curve to make the horizontal section. Traditional chrome plating is becoming very expensive due to environmental "concerns."

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

I was once looking at a large pick-up truck with damage to it's bumper. It cracked at at close look, it was vacuum deposited chrome over plastic.

I've often wondered about creating fiberglass gel coated versions of C3 rear bumpers and chrome vacuum depositing them. The fiberglass versions would be a lot lighter and not that much of a safety problem, since the iron bumpers are mostly worthless. Also, vacuum deposition might do a better job. Using electrolytic plating, it's hard to get chrome into the inner "elbow" where the vertical sections of the bumper (near the license plate) curve to make the horizontal section. Traditional chrome plating is becoming very expensive due to environmental "concerns."

I did this to Buick Skylark bumpers - it worked well, but it never saw any kind of weather

 

[phantomjock]

Larger areas - maybe a Mylar Chrome Wrap?
http://galaxyfg.en.alibaba.com/prod...g_fashion_Chrome_film_wrap_made_in_china.html

What will the Chinese make next? Here's a pic:

 

[JeffP1167]

Larger areas - maybe a Mylar Chrome Wrap?
http://galaxyfg.en.alibaba.com/prod...g_fashion_Chrome_film_wrap_made_in_china.html

What will the Chinese make next? Here's a pic:

But would it stand up to underhood heat?

 

[BBShark]

Regardless of what process you use, the part to be coated has to be smooth like glass to really look like chrome.

 

[JeffP1167]

Here is what I want to get chromed

Radiator capsule and air cleaner assembly