chrome plating

[thatz4u]

anyone here that does it?

[Art Anderson]

If you mean "chrome plating" of plastic model parts, there are only two that I am aware of in the US who do this. It's a very specialized process, called "vacuum plating" in which a micro-thin layer of pure aluminum is deposited, electrostatically (at least I think that would be the description) onto specially prepared plastic pieces (prepared by their being coated with a shiny lacquer surface), in a vacuum tank that is drawn down to a mechanically perfect vacuum. It's not something that any of us are likely to do at home, on our workbenches.

Chrome Tech USA is Robert Shebilski in Wisconsin. Bob pulls together a run of parts that modelers send in, delivers them to a vacuum-plating shop which actually does the plating, then sends the plated parts back to his customers. The other vendor is Little Motor Kar Company, in Pennsylvania, who actually does the work in his own shop.

Art

[chunkypeanutbutter]

You could just use a metal-effect paint and some polishing compound.

[sjordan2]

Not to rehash a subject that's been beaten to death, but neither I nor a lot of other modelers have found a paint that successfully replicates mirror-like chrome, not even the leading paint, Alclad. Art's recommendations are always at the top of the list of plating services.

[Maindrian Pace]

Chrome Tech:

Alclad is nice, but it looks like polished aluminum. Nothing looks more like chrome than vacuum metallizing.

-MJS

[StevenGuthmiller]

I have all of my work done with Chrome Tech. They do very nice work. My only complaint is turn around time. The web site says 3-4 weeks. I've never recieved my shipment in less than 6. Many times it's approaching 2 months. Steve

[Bob Ellis]

I had somebody in the Boston area do it for my model parts years ago. BTW, it's called vacuum metallizing and that is how you can search for those companies.

The biggest problem may be that you might not be able to fill the minimum order.

[Guest]

I had somebody in the Boston area do it for my model parts years ago. BTW, it's called vacuum metallizing and that is how you can search for those companies.

The biggest problem may be that you might not be able to fill the minimum order.

Do you remember who it was?

[pharoah]

I've used Chrome Tech USA several times. He has even replaced a part that got broken somehow. It's not cheap,but it's really worth the finished look.

[slusher]

I've used Chrome Tech USA several times. He has even replaced a part that got broken somehow. It's not cheap,but it's really worth the finished look.

I agree, used him several times.

[Art Anderson]

I have all of my work done with Chrome Tech. They do very nice work. My only complaint is turn around time. The web site says 3-4 weeks. I've never recieved my shipment in less than 6. Many times it's approaching 2 months. Steve

Steven,

I've used ChromeTech many times in the past, and found that "timing" is everything: Robert takes in his run of plating somewhere in the neighborhood of once a month or so. If you can contact him, find out just when his next run will be, and how soon you need to get your parts to him, that cuts down the lead time considerably.

Art

[Bob Ellis]

Anthony, it's been a few years and I forgot the name. I just googled vacuum metallizing in Boston and it came up with a few companies. So, they are out there. Just call.

I sent Chrome Tech business back in the '90s. I decided to find a local place later. Art is correct. Unless CT has the equipment, customer orders are batched together and sent to one of these vacuum metallizing houses.