Chromed Plastic source
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Chromed Plastic source
Check this guy out.
http://tonysautoclassics.tripod.com/id4.html
He has a process of chroming plastic parts like grills and louvers. I just got off the phone with Tony, the owner. I sent him a couple of pics to get a quote. I noticed that Ecklers sells chrome fender louvers for late C3s but didn't look for others. Wonder what a c3 would look like with chrome grills?
http://tonysautoclassics.tripod.com/id4.html
He has a process of chroming plastic parts like grills and louvers. I just got off the phone with Tony, the owner. I sent him a couple of pics to get a quote. I noticed that Ecklers sells chrome fender louvers for late C3s but didn't look for others. Wonder what a c3 would look like with chrome grills?
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, the World
The old method is called "Vacuum metalizing" to get the chrome finish.
There is a new process which deposits a chrome like finish and then clear coats it with a 2 pack.
I have seen the new process and it looks good. It can be used virtually on any surface, even to restore diecast.
There is a new process which deposits a chrome like finish and then clear coats it with a 2 pack.
I have seen the new process and it looks good. It can be used virtually on any surface, even to restore diecast.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
One of my clients is the leading Tier 1 supplier of painted, vacuum metalized & plated "emblems" for virtually all OE marques assembled in North America. This manufacturer has been doing this since shortly after WWII and remains headquartered in St. Louis; most sites in MO, TN & AR. I have intimate knowledge of this client's processes; details I will not share.
I'm comfortable in saying:
(1) Vacuum metalized plastics I'm familiar with involves aluminum & not chromium; looks like chrome but is aluminum.
(2) Both gold & chromium have been electroplated onto auto plastics for years; requires a "plating-grade" molding polymer substrate that conducts electricity.
(3) Both methods are in use today.
(4) Same as for hundreds of OE emblems for everything from Nissan to Cadillac, I personally helped develop & execute PFMEA, PPAP, Control Plan, Gage R&R etc for the "King of the Hill" ZR-1 vette's OE multi-color exterior emblem ... my initial appears on each part number's Warrant.
(5) I value my professional relationship w/ this client & maintain several close friendships within; I plan to keep it that way.
(6) This supplier does not process nor replate a handful of old or new car parts.
I'm comfortable in saying:
(1) Vacuum metalized plastics I'm familiar with involves aluminum & not chromium; looks like chrome but is aluminum.
(2) Both gold & chromium have been electroplated onto auto plastics for years; requires a "plating-grade" molding polymer substrate that conducts electricity.
(3) Both methods are in use today.
(4) Same as for hundreds of OE emblems for everything from Nissan to Cadillac, I personally helped develop & execute PFMEA, PPAP, Control Plan, Gage R&R etc for the "King of the Hill" ZR-1 vette's OE multi-color exterior emblem ... my initial appears on each part number's Warrant.
(5) I value my professional relationship w/ this client & maintain several close friendships within; I plan to keep it that way.
(6) This supplier does not process nor replate a handful of old or new car parts.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,342
Likes: 7
From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by swampblues
cool - i actually just e-mailed that fellow to see if they can chrome a plastic coated
guitar body for me - that would be so cool - it'll be for my "corvette" telecaster project.
guitar body for me - that would be so cool - it'll be for my "corvette" telecaster project.
If its USA made its either Alder or Ash and any change to the finish directly effects the tonality.
Just as Laquer or Poly have a different tone
I prefer Laquer..... plus they age and check beautifully
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
well bob - he just wrote me back - and he can NOT do it.
it was for a fender tele (*** made jerry donahue sig. tele)
that i want to turn into an all chrome tele.
i have a whole boatload of guitars i collected over the years
and i gig a lot - so i like it to be "flashy" at times.
i'm aware of an affect on the overall tone of
the instrument. this one is made from basswood and is
very light so i won't mind some additional coating.
*must find chrome*!
as to finishes - i really prefer the nitro finish on my butterscotch
52ri tele to most poly finishes. but also am a friend of
fancy glitter and stuff - it's for the show.
(i hope i'm not violating any posting rules by talking about this)
"corvettes rule"!
it was for a fender tele (*** made jerry donahue sig. tele)
that i want to turn into an all chrome tele.
i have a whole boatload of guitars i collected over the years
and i gig a lot - so i like it to be "flashy" at times.
i'm aware of an affect on the overall tone of
the instrument. this one is made from basswood and is
very light so i won't mind some additional coating.
*must find chrome*!
as to finishes - i really prefer the nitro finish on my butterscotch
52ri tele to most poly finishes. but also am a friend of
fancy glitter and stuff - it's for the show.
(i hope i'm not violating any posting rules by talking about this)
"corvettes rule"!
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta GA
Ya'll know now that Gibson Guitars is where's its at. The Custom Shop, my primary sponsor for my race team, did three Corvette guitars that were AWESOME!!!!! You can check them out at www.gibsoncustom.com. Gibson also produced two Dale Earnhardt guitars and one Junior guitar, all with a run of 333. I was fortunate enough to get #233 of each. There are some pictures of those guitars on my website too www.trentmayo.com. I really like the "chrome" idea for a guitar, been lookin' to do the same somehow.
ROCK ON!!!
ROCK ON!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Probably best chrome-plated electric guitar is a VELENO ... all-aluminum ... good luck finding a vintage one for sale.
http://www.veleno.net/index.html
http://www.veleno.net/index.html
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,342
Likes: 7
From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by Trent Mayo
Ya'll know now that Gibson Guitars is where's its at. The Custom Shop, my primary sponsor for my race team, did three Corvette guitars that were AWESOME!!!!! You can check them out at www.gibsoncustom.com. Gibson also produced two Dale Earnhardt guitars and one Junior guitar, all with a run of 333. I was fortunate enough to get #233 of each. There are some pictures of those guitars on my website too www.trentmayo.com. I really like the "chrome" idea for a guitar, been lookin' to do the same somehow.
ROCK ON!!!
ROCK ON!!!
I used to own an Ovation acoustic that belonged to him at one time.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 3
From: Florissant MO
Originally Posted by jackson
One of my clients is the leading Tier 1 supplier of painted, vacuum metalized & plated "emblems" for virtually all OE marques assembled in North America. This manufacturer has been doing this since shortly after WWII and remains headquartered in St. Louis; most sites in MO, TN & AR. I have intimate knowledge of this client's processes; details I will not share.
I'm comfortable in saying:
(1) Vacuum metalized plastics I'm familiar with involves aluminum & not chromium; looks like chrome but is aluminum.
(2) Both gold & chromium have been electroplated onto auto plastics for years; requires a "plating-grade" molding polymer substrate that conducts electricity.
(3) Both methods are in use today.
(4) Same as for hundreds of OE emblems for everything from Nissan to Cadillac, I personally helped develop & execute PFMEA, PPAP, Control Plan, Gage R&R etc for the "King of the Hill" ZR-1 vette's OE multi-color exterior emblem ... my initial appears on each part number's Warrant.
(5) I value my professional relationship w/ this client & maintain several close friendships within; I plan to keep it that way.
(6) This supplier does not process nor replate a handful of old or new car parts.
I'm comfortable in saying:
(1) Vacuum metalized plastics I'm familiar with involves aluminum & not chromium; looks like chrome but is aluminum.
(2) Both gold & chromium have been electroplated onto auto plastics for years; requires a "plating-grade" molding polymer substrate that conducts electricity.
(3) Both methods are in use today.
(4) Same as for hundreds of OE emblems for everything from Nissan to Cadillac, I personally helped develop & execute PFMEA, PPAP, Control Plan, Gage R&R etc for the "King of the Hill" ZR-1 vette's OE multi-color exterior emblem ... my initial appears on each part number's Warrant.
(5) I value my professional relationship w/ this client & maintain several close friendships within; I plan to keep it that way.
(6) This supplier does not process nor replate a handful of old or new car parts.