What is the best way to do chrome?

[Rob D]

I have masked and hand painted chrome for years, but a lot of the pics I've seen on here in a short time appear to use something instead of silver chrome paint as they are a lot shinier and even more sharply cut than I can get with tape and a fine point brush. Anybody have any advice on what the secret/ trick of the trade is? I seen a few references to "foil" but am not sure exactly what that is or where to get it.

Thanks

RD

[Jantrix]

http://www.bare-metal.com/

Enjoy pardner. It's a little tricky to use at first, but this is the stuff. Order direct from the manufacturer as this stuff has a shelf life. Get the 001 CHROME BARE-METAL FOIL

Ignore the ultra-bright stuff, it's not very good.

[sjordan2]

Here's a pretty good tutorial on the subject.

http://www.italianhorses.net/Tutorials/BareMetalFoil/bmf.htm

The Bare-Metal Foil site that Jantrix gave you also has a good tutorial.

However, it can get pretty tricky if you're dealing with multiple compound curves such as those found on grilles and bumpers.

[Cato]

If you want the same plating as kits originally have, this is the only way:

http://www.chrometechusa.com/modelplate.html

There are others I'm sure who provide this service.

[Harry P.]

Foil is the easiest and best way to do things like window moldings, side trim and emblems, but like Skip says, it doesn't go around compound curves very well, like the ends of a front bumper. The only way to get a piece like that to look like chrome is to send it out and have it actually vacuum-plated... the way kit parts are "chrome" plated. An alternative is to use Alclad paint. It's tricky to apply, has to be applied in a particular way and over a particular basecoat, and it doesn't really look exactly like chrome (but sort of close).