Re-silvering plastic

[oldvwluvr]

Does anyone have any ideas on resilvering plastic? I've been all over the 'net looking, and it seems to be a fairly complicated procedure requiring equipment I don't have. Or, is there a place that I could send small pieces and have it done? Thanks in advance...DAN

[cfesmire]

whew, you should get quite a variety of suggestions on this one. The AlcadII paints that are out now, if properly applied, can imitate a very convincing chrome. If you decide to go this route, ask someone for advice on proceedure. There's also a product called Bare Metal Foil that is of course a self adhering foil that is even more realistic, but it is very difficult to bend around sharp/intricate/odd or very small shapes.

[skunk]

I made some new doorhandles for a Mini, and after three days I still haven't been able to cover them with BMF properly...
I am gonna try Alclad next, but I don't know how to airbrush something that small?

[cfesmire]

Skunk,
I make my doorhandles out of brass wire and have found them to be so small that silver paint is indiscernable from chromed parts.
The trouble with the Alcad II paints is that you must paint everything with gloss black first and then the Alcad over top. On something as small as a door handle I would be afraid to lose any detail and the paint would probably chip off during the installation anyway.

Chester

[Cor_DutchArt]

I've heard about a way to chrome plastic parts.
There must be someone who offers a set to chrome
electrolitish.
Maybe there is someone who knows more about this??

Cor van der Meijde

[cfesmire]

This outfit will rechrome plastic parts:
www.chrometechusa.com/

I personally have been having terrific results with the Alcad 2 system but unfortunately it must be sprayed to get the fine reults. Impossible to do with details that are part of the model like door handles, etc. Wheels, truck bumpers and things that can be airbrushed separate from the body come out looking better than chrome from the manufacturer (I believe chromed plastic loses detail)

[Markus]

Is anywhere interesded for one adress in switzerland?

[Cor_DutchArt]

Markus said:

Is anywhere interesded for one adress in switzerland?

What can this person do about it?
I am anxious to know.

Greetings,

Cor van der Meijde

[skunk]

DutchArt said:

What can this person do about it?
I am anxious to know.

Greetings,

Cor van der Meijde

Well, most people who restore real cars send the chrome parts away to be finished - this is what I am hoping for.

[Markus]

Skunk is right. If you need plastikparts looks like chrome let it doo the experts. The adress in Switzerland is WWW.Galvaplast.CH