Clear Over Chrome Kit Parts ?

[Metalmad]

Has anyone used Future Floor Polish over your chrome parts that come with the kit ?  

[stitchdup]

A member of another forum I frequent uses future on all the chrome and clear pieces of his kits. He just dips the whole sprue in it then leans it on some kitchen paper to dry. I use tamiya light smoke clear for chrome, it knocks a little of the shine off and makes it look more like metal than plastic chrome

[espo]

14 hours ago, Metalmad said:

Has anyone used Future Floor Polish over your chrome parts that come with the kit ?  

I have in the past. The problem is that many bumpers and such have mold lines left on the finish and these really need to be refinished before chroming. 

[peteski]

Yes, it is safe to  apply Future (or whatever the current name is) floor finish acrylic coating over kit "chrome"  Unlike the recent "chrome" paints or inks which use microscopic reflective particles suspended in a vehicle (the clear part of liquid coatings), kit "chrome is actually a very thin layer of metallic aluminum deposited in a vacuum over plastic. The process is called vacuum metalizing.  Because it is a thin solid layer of metal, spraying a liquid clear will not disturb the metalization.  With "chrome" paint's the reflective layer consists of millions of individual reflective particles, and clear coat can disturb them or change their reflective quality (make them look dull).

Why the lengthy explanation? I firmly believe that one can be a better modeler by understanding at least some basic principals and chemistry of the products we use.

Edited October 27, 2023 by peteski