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Chrome plating/Powder coating?
https://ukbeg.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=12558		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  att [ 12 Oct 2011 16:49 ]
Post subject:  Chrome plating/Powder coating?
I have some parts that I would like chromed, but I also understand that there is a powder coating process that will give a similar finish as chrome.
So, my question is.....Has anybody used powder coating chrome effect and if so, what was/is the finish like?

I have also read, that the powder coating may be more durable than the actual chrome plating :? I nothing of the process involved for either coating process, so it would be useful if somebody could explain it in laymans terms.

The parts I need treating are not motorcycle parts, but truck parts, so are quite large lOl
Author:  Nutah [ 12 Oct 2011 17:25 ]
Post subject:  Re: Chrome plating/Powder coating?
Att a link to a demo of spray on chrome
no idea if it's any good though..

http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/spr ... e/1232328/
Author:  rik [ 12 Oct 2011 17:29 ]
Post subject:  Re: Chrome plating/Powder coating?
Don't know about powder coating to give a chrome finish... the surface finish is a bit hit and miss due to dust / dirt inclusion in the time between spaying and firing...even in establishments that promise perfection... (ask me how I know :| )
But I do know of a wet sprayed (ie paint) 'chrome' finish, there used to be a guy near here who had the UK franchise for it, call him and chat....Dave 023 9259 6633... this is the finish used on the McLaren F1 cars... and it is dazzling but is VERY expensive and looks shite if there's any imperfections / dirt inclusion.... the whole lot has to be flatted right back and re-done as the 'chrome' is floating on top of the finish (unlike other 'metallics' where it's 'in' the finish....
Author:  Adam [ 12 Oct 2011 17:35 ]
Post subject:  Re: Chrome plating/Powder coating?
I'll pin my colours to the mast and say I'm no expert in this (and 'hard ' chrome for forks, barrels etc, etc is the only type that should be allowed lOl ). From what I gather, finding someone to do a proper job is very difficult these days. The chrome layer is only one of the metal plates put onto the item and one of these processes involving Cyanide, has a lot of H+S implications :roll: .
Nickel plating, imho, is more durable, but I've had pieces 'shift' a couple of mm in the process - no idea why :?
Another thing to watch is, if you've got any voids or shadowed corners on the work being plated, the coating doesn't tend to get 'thrown' into these areas as much as you'd expect, and sometimes you can see the layer underneath showing through. At first I thought the bloke was a crap plater, so I took some stuff elsewhere, and found the same thing had happened :)
Author:  kevmean [ 12 Oct 2011 17:40 ]
Post subject:  Re: Chrome plating/Powder coating?
Adam wrote:
At first I thought the bloke was a crap plater, so I took some stuff elsewhere, and found the same thing had happened :)


Maybe they were both crap platers lOl lOl lOl
Author:  mojomick [ 12 Oct 2011 17:50 ]
Post subject:  Re: Chrome plating/Powder coating?
Decent chrome plating is a three part process, Copper/ Nickel /Chrome. The chrome layer is the decorative finish and will only be as good as the prep.

As chrome platers close their doors, the industry will die due to H&S restrictions on new licences. Most business units would not be allowed to store (let alone use) the chemicals involved.
The far east has no such restrictions.

Off to the pub, see ya there. ;)
Author:  Howard Morris [ 12 Oct 2011 19:05 ]
Post subject:  Re: Chrome plating/Powder coating?
Painted chrome is expensive and doesn`t last well under uv light and as the truck will live outside will soon go off.If it`s the bumper you`re talking of then it will also end up with stone chips and then rust scabs.Can`t get any powder coat to mimick chrome plate,just bright silver.Get one made from stainless,probably a little more than having you`re bumper chromed(if you can find someone to chrome it) and it`ll last forever if you don`t bend it too much.If the complicated shape of the bumper is a problem then have a stainless cover made for it with cut outs for the lights etc and have the old bumper powder coated in silver so it`s not so noticeable underneath.
Author:  chris(madrid) [ 13 Oct 2011 09:26 ]
Post subject:  Re: Chrome plating/Powder coating?
Nutah wrote:
Att a link to a demo of spray on chrome ... http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/spr ... e/1232328/
Find somebody who does it though.
Author:  Digger [ 13 Oct 2011 10:15 ]
Post subject:  Re: Chrome plating/Powder coating?
When you've chased to the end of the rainbow and realised there's no substitute for proper chrome, give these guys a shout. They're meticulous plodders, but the work is superb. They've done loads for me on the Suzi.
Author:  chris(madrid) [ 13 Oct 2011 11:35 ]
Post subject:  Re: Chrome plating/Powder coating?
Digger wrote:
They've done loads for me

Image
I knew it.
Author:  att [ 13 Oct 2011 15:53 ]
Post subject:  Re: Chrome plating/Powder coating?
Digger wrote:
When you've chased to the end of the rainbow and realised there's no substitute for proper chrome, give these guys a shout. They're meticulous plodders, but the work is superb. They've done loads for me on the Suzi.


Thanks for that Digger :yup:
Just called them and had a very informative chat, I am now enlightened and can work with more knowledge and realistic expectations of end results :sun:
Author:  stinkerbill [ 14 Oct 2011 20:27 ]
Post subject:  Re: Chrome plating/Powder coating?
I've had headers coated before in 'Kermoachrome' that's supposed to come out 'like chrome'

It doesn't.

It comes out a sort of shiny/satin silver.

Still nice, but not 'like chrome'
Author:  chris(madrid) [ 15 Oct 2011 09:34 ]
Post subject:  Re: Chrome plating/Powder coating?
stinkerbill wrote:
I've had headers coated before in 'Kermoachrome' that's supposed to come out 'like chrome'
I can be VERY close. I had my custom R3 pipes done. The trick is to wipe/polish the ceramic down when it's fresh - first with something that deep cleans and then with an oily (clean oil) cloth. By the time my pipes arrived from the states - all that I could do was the cleaning stage. But by constant buffing it's come out as shiny stainless look.
Author:  stinkerbill [ 15 Oct 2011 12:42 ]
Post subject:  Re: Chrome plating/Powder coating?
And I guess the condition of the headers was a factor too. The smoother/less corroded the are, the more 'shiny' they'll come out.
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