Spray on chrome

[Gsinill]

Anybod ever tried this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-1cTpSZ1l8

The german fella's company apparently went under but there is a US company (http://www.alsacorp.com/products/chromefx/) that sells something that looks like the exact same stuff.
Not cheap but if it works this could be a good alternative to re-chroming.

[EricEstlund]

I have not tried that product, but in my experience most of the spray chrome paints or powders look like really nice chrome-like silver. But they are not mistakable for actual chrome plating, either in the look or durability department. If you look at some plastic toys or kitchen gadgets that are "chrome" they may have a nice enough finish, but it's not the same.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6075/6147406906_46b225f9cc_z.jpg

[thwart]

That is a beautiful stem.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6075/6147406906_46b225f9cc_z.jpg

[Charles M]

The process done well is very good. As perfect as a perfect chrome job? Maybe not. But I've also seen chrome jobs that looked like crap...

I've seen pretty nice results, More than simply "acceptable" with spray finishes.

http://www.alsacorp.com/images/chromehelmetL.jpg

[EricEstlund]

It certainly can be a nice option for parts that can't be traditionally chrome plated (like that helmet).

I'll agree that there are poor application of both chrome and chrome-like finishes, but my comments were to the higher end applications. Don't bother with poor quality chrome or paint, they will just magnify the mess. Stick to the folks that know what they are doing.

[josephr]

The process done well is very good. As perfect as a perfect chrome job? Maybe not. But I've also seen chrome jobs that looked like crap...



nothing better than a good chrome job!
Joe

[ultraman6970]

I have to agre than nothing beats a good triple chrome plating, but the problem is the darn cost, even that chromed paint process is not cheap at all, the real deal is super expensive even if you get the diy kits.

IMO the next 10 or 20 years probably chroming jobs will be so expensive and harder to find in your area (generally speaking) that these chrome paints will be the only way to get chrome.

Hmm cromobelatto in carbon hmm...

[wallymann]

chrome paint ends up looking like metallic silver, maybe to the point of anodized aluminum if you're lucky. that's it.

to get a chrome coating on a non-metallic material, it's a complex multi-step application that must be applied onto a perfectly prepared foundation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvtRYZ5EasA

[Ahneida Ride]

nothing better than a good chrome job!
Joe

How about polished Stainless ? :banana:

[Gsinill]

Well, I would not expect it to look better or equal to real chrome but it looks pretty darn close to me - at least in the video. As far as I understand, it's not paint but basically a layer of silver applied in a similar process as used to make mirrors.
I guess "mirror like" could do as an alternative.
(Thinking about doing my chain stay).

[54ny77]

German company called Chrome Solutions. The key is the prep.

Multi-step process, check it out from Leno's garage:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-1cTpSZ1l8

Looks awesome.

[Gsinill]

Uh…

That's what I initially posted ;-)

German dude seems to be out of business.


German company called Chrome Solutions. The key is the prep.

Multi-step process, check it out from Leno's garage:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-1cTpSZ1l8

Looks awesome.

[54ny77]

woops, sorry!

[soulspinner]

that is a beautiful stem.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6075/6147406906_46b225f9cc_z.jpg

+100

[wasfast]

House of Kolor offers a similar product, Kosmic Krome, that's sprayed.

http://houseofkolor.com/products/specialty.jsp

Many of the plastic parts you see chromed (like plumbing etc) use vacuum deposition where metal is sputtered.

In any of the methods, imperfections in the surface will be highly visible, so prep is key as Pez (Charles) noted.

[zmudshark]

Caswell offers a few solutions, from DIY electroplating to $6 Duplicolor 'chrome' paint:
http://www.caswellplating.com/

[Gsinill]

Good link, their Plug 'n Plate process looks promising and is not too expensive..
Stuff is on it's way. Will give some feedback after I tried…


Caswell offers a few solutions, from DIY electroplating to $6 Duplicolor 'chrome' paint:
http://www.caswellplating.com/