Another Alclad question

[Mark W]

I’m not new to Alclad, but I do have a new issue.

I have a few sets of 3D printed wire wheels, USCP, the detail is very sharp and very small spokes.

The high shine Alclads require a gloss black base, but the regular ones don’t.

I don’t want to cover the details, so the gloss base will be skipped.

Looking for suggestions on what color and if anyone has tried this method. Doesn’t need to be chrome, just a shiny silver, as most wires were.

 

[peteski]

Mark, chromed parts on 1:1 cars get their mirror-like finish because their surface is glass-smooth. That prevents the reflected light from scattering, resulting in mirror-like reflectivity.  Before the chrome layer 1:1 automotive parts are first plated with other metals (like copper) which produce that very smooth surface for the final plating of Chromium. 

Alclad II Chrome paint (just like 1:1 chrome layer) requires the painted surface to be glass-smooth for the mirror-like effect.  You can apply that paint to any surface (without a glossy base coat) and it will end up looking silver, but since the surface is rough, the reflected light will be scattered it will look like silver paint instead of chrome.  Your bare 3-D printed parts are already not smooth because unlike injection-molder parts, they are printed in very thin layers which are visible.  Alclad II metallic paints go on very thin, so the 3-D painted surface will result in rough finish, making the chrome paint look like silver paint.  So yes, you can paint those bare wheels with any Alclad metallic paints, but the result will look like unpolished silver metal. Using the chrome paint might give a slightly brighter finish than just using Alclad aluminum or other metallic paints. It seems like you are ok with that. 

Edited yesterday at 02:43 AM by peteski

[Mark W]

2 hours ago, peteski said:

Mark, chromed parts on 1:1 cars get their mirror-like finish because their surface is glass-smooth. That prevents the reflected light from scattering, resulting in mirror-like reflectivity.  Before the chrome layer 1:1 automotive parts are first plated with other metals (like copper) which produce that very smooth surface for the final plating of Chromium. 

Alclad II Chrome paint (just like 1:1 chrome layer) requires the painted surface to be glass-smooth for the mirror-like effect.  You can apply that paint to any surface (without a glossy base coat) and it will end up looking silver, but since the surface is rough, the reflected light will be scattered it t will look like silver paint instead of chrome.  Your bare 3-D printed parts are already not smooth because unlike injection-molder parts, they are printed in very thin layers which are visible.  Alclad II metallic paints go on very thin, so the 3-D painted surface will result in rough finish, making the chrome paint look like silver paint.  So yes, you can paint those bare wheels with any Alclad metallic paints, but the result will look like unpolished silver metal. Using the chrome paint might giver a slightly brighter finish than just using Alclad aluminum or other metallic paints. It seems like you are ok with that. 

Peter, lots of good information here. 
I know a lot of what you are saying, but reading it brings it all together.

Your analogy between 1:1 chrome and Alclad makes a good point. Nickel plated guns are copper plated first.

I have used Green Stuff World on some printed wheel covers with a very shiny result. 
Time to put the Alclad aside, it will definitely turn out like silver paint. If you can’t make it smooth, you have silver.

Incidentally, the wires on my once owned Austin Healey, I painted them silver. But these printed wires are intended for my AMT AC Cobra, it would look a lot nicer with shiny wheels. 

I appreciate your taking the time. I’ll let you know what I end up with.