Chrome Paint For Sidepipe Covers
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Chrome Paint For Sidepipe Covers
I was searching for a true chrome look paint that could be used on fiberglass sidepipe covers, and found a product called MirraChrome which is made by Alsa Corporation. They claim that it is not like the cheap immitation spray chrome and it can be clear coated with urethane clear. Has anyone used this or a similar product ?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,226
Likes: 4,313
From: Westminster Maryland
The pictures and descriptions are pretty impressive.
It would be interesting to see some actual samples.
Regards,
Alan
I wonder if the weather will cause this paint to bubble up in the same way it causes the chrome to bubble. I've often felt the problems are with the alloy the covers are cast from, not just the chrome plating.
It would be interesting to see some actual samples.
Regards,
Alan
I wonder if the weather will cause this paint to bubble up in the same way it causes the chrome to bubble. I've often felt the problems are with the alloy the covers are cast from, not just the chrome plating.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area CA
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Even the polished aluminum look would look great compared to painting the sidepipe covers, and at a little over $100. for a three part system in arosol , that don't sound bad when you consider that you can't buy anything for a corvette for any less than $100. I just wonder how it will hold up. With the urethane topcoat it should hold up fairly well. Hopefully someone will chime in that has actually used it.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area CA
Even the polished aluminum look would look great compared to painting the sidepipe covers, and at a little over $100. for a three part system in arosol , that don't sound bad when you consider that you can't buy anything for a corvette for any less than $100. I just wonder how it will hold up. With the urethane topcoat it should hold up fairly well. Hopefully someone will chime in that has actually used it.
On the other hand, if that car on which you are putting this on is an original side pipe car, I'd spend the extra dollars and put original covers on it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 782
Likes: 1
From: Magic Valley ID
....but, aren't those pipes getting pretty close to that temp anyways? And I thought you couldn't PC plastic because the part is electrically charged and then the powder has the opposite charge. How do you electrically charge plastic/fiberglass??
Last edited by mydejavooo; Nov 6, 2009 at 10:00 PM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Good point ! Better stick with researching this MirraChrome product more.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 91
From: Skiatook. Oklahoma.
Here's another Company that deals in Chrome Paint. Pretty impressive Gallery. The helmets look like real Chrome. The Truck they show, you can't tell the difference between the grill and the Paint. The Kit's are a bit cheaper than the ALSA Corp.too.
I have a set of Fiberglass Cover's stashed away and it's real tempting to try this system.
http://www.goldtouchinc.com/cosmichrome/index.html
Marty.
I have a set of Fiberglass Cover's stashed away and it's real tempting to try this system.
http://www.goldtouchinc.com/cosmichrome/index.html
Marty.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
I have searched for well over a year for someone that can do something with refinishing the OEM sidepipes, powder coating requires bake out to 300 degrees.
at this tempature the parts will survive.... but the long main sections will curl like a potato chip! "don't ask how I know"
I am currently working with Jet-Hot to develop a process to refinish these,
we are not done yet, but very close. I will post with finished product once we are succesful. 69VETT
at this tempature the parts will survive.... but the long main sections will curl like a potato chip! "don't ask how I know"
I am currently working with Jet-Hot to develop a process to refinish these,
we are not done yet, but very close. I will post with finished product once we are succesful. 69VETT
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Here's another Company that deals in Chrome Paint. Pretty impressive Gallery. The helmets look like real Chrome. The Truck they show, you can't tell the difference between the grill and the Paint. The Kit's are a bit cheaper than the ALSA Corp.too.
I have a set of Fiberglass Cover's stashed away and it's real tempting to try this system.
http://www.goldtouchinc.com/cosmichrome/index.html
Marty.
I have a set of Fiberglass Cover's stashed away and it's real tempting to try this system.
http://www.goldtouchinc.com/cosmichrome/index.html
Marty.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 3
From: TEXAS - you mean there are other states?
That helmet looks great ! Wow - I would like to re-do my side exhaust before I put them back on... they are kinda peeling.
So - how did they get chromed from the factory... or is that not chrome?
So - how did they get chromed from the factory... or is that not chrome?
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 201
Likes: 1
From: Taunton Ma
I saw these guys in the parts for sale section yesterday and they claim they can crome fiberglass. The questions was brought up regarding side pipe covers and he said 175.00. However he would have to look into putting the black strips on.
http://www.a1motor-sports.com/sportbikes.htm
http://www.a1motor-sports.com/sportbikes.htm
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Warning to anyone attempting to refurbish the OEM side pipe covers,
IF you try and power coat or a type of process-Cermaric coating like JET Hot.
These parts must be taken to a temperature of 350 Degrees,
and if you do that the long middle section will curl like a potato chip,
closing up and will be no longer be use-able, I had to have a special jig made to keep the covers from distorting. during the bake process.
The biggest problem with these old covers is the stripping and prepping them.
The covers do not get near this hot when installed on the car.
The ALSA Corp. paint is the only paint I have ever seen that comes very close to Chrome.
69VETT
IF you try and power coat or a type of process-Cermaric coating like JET Hot.
These parts must be taken to a temperature of 350 Degrees,
and if you do that the long middle section will curl like a potato chip,
closing up and will be no longer be use-able, I had to have a special jig made to keep the covers from distorting. during the bake process.
The biggest problem with these old covers is the stripping and prepping them.
The covers do not get near this hot when installed on the car.
The ALSA Corp. paint is the only paint I have ever seen that comes very close to Chrome.
69VETT