My name is Russell Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 Wanting to get my front 1/4 bumpers looking chrome, but trying to avoid the high costs of chroming. Was trying to find out about plastic chrome coating, who does it and can it be done over steel / bog? Is it any good? who does it? was thinking there must be some alternatives avalible similar to the way those fiberglass chrome bumpers have been done that are on trademe. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 607289.htm The stuff from a can is useless. I still need to actually work out what they would cost to have done properly, have just been recomended to try; Valley Platers Ltd * 04-568 5924 162 Gracefield Rd Lower Hutt also been told that if i weld up the dents and get them into shape so that there is less shapping work required i can save bit of moneys. The problem i have is actualy getting out and collecting quotes when you work 8-5 etc. (Also I have spoken to signwritters and they said that chrome vinal ect can't be stretched around curves.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tortron Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 chrome like powdercoating i was looking into it for some bits i have. People on the net seem to think it comes out alright, tho i havnt seen any irl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
My name is Russell Posted December 13, 2009 Author Share Posted December 13, 2009 Just called powder coater and he said that you can get a flat chrome finnish, but said if you were after the chrome apearance you would be disopinted. Mabie that would look ok so long as the front and rear matched. What ever "Chrome coating" has been done on that trademe auction looks fairly good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Mk1 Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 H.P.C hypercoat polished? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
My name is Russell Posted December 13, 2009 Author Share Posted December 13, 2009 Oh yeah good point doesnt look to bad http://www.hpcoatings.co.nz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spencer Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 shop around chroming isn't that expensive and no alternatives look as good. There is a modern special paint process that a few places have (they can chrome anything with this paint http://www.sprayonchrome.com/index2.html) that looks good but its still almost as expensive as the real thing. I'm currently getting some wheel bands chromed and it was very well priced. Biggest thing with bumpers is the prep to get them straight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Talk to Nick as he knows the process. There is shit chroming and good chroming.. Something to do with nickle plating I believe. Gaz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubblegoose Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 be different paint them gun metal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheepers Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 electroless nickel is a good alternative, except it exactly replicates the surface its going on (so you have to polish as with chroming, or you can bead blast for satin finish) in the long run its about same as chrome, sept it wont go rusty and its as hard as nails. if your part is made up of different metals and coatings (like headlight buckets with some bits galv and a couple of copper earth tags) then no problem, deals with all this. yet to try cheap old school cast alloy but supposedly no problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
durty Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 get them cast in stirling silver instead for mad tyte g unit stz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubblegoose Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 whats the deal with chrome plastic parts aka lancer headlight surrounds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
My name is Russell Posted December 14, 2009 Author Share Posted December 14, 2009 whats the deal with chrome plastic parts aka lancer headlight surrounds Wondering similar / what methods been used here (fiberglass) and can it be used on steel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubblegoose Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 apperenly 1. The part is taken down to the bare plastic.2. Any breaks or cracks are repaired. 3. The part is impregnated with silver so it will conduct electricity. 4. Then it is built up with copper, sanded and buffed. 5. A nickel-cobalt plating alloy for corrosion resistance is applied. 6. The final stage is the chrome plating. so its actual chrome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sisu Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Pity they don't do a carbon fibre version or look of the fake bumpers. Then you would need a set of these http://www.riverscarbon.com/carbon-fiber-race-wheels/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
durty Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 im sure the same guy used to sell carbbon fibre quater bumpers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 I knew a guy who got his plastic van door handles chromed and they looked good as. Back then (5years ago) it cost more than chroming.. The set of front and rears on TM for $500 is cheap IMO.. Especially seeing as you then have straight bumpers? Gaz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubblegoose Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 the TM ones look slightly orange peely or is it my eyes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Mk1 Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 ^ me also. Ive asked him how perfect they are, and he says you cant tell the difference between them and factory chrome steel..but I dunno! I want a rear bumper as my spares all need re-chromed, but I cant have a wrinkly-ass one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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