"Chrome" paint Options

[fsh2liv]

Wondering what you all prefer. I've tried Spaz Stix ultimate Mirror Chrome with the clear coat suggested of the same brand. Painted fog light grills (spares) and they look like "aluminum."
Thanks

[burton73]

The only real "chrome" look comes from silver nitrate dropped out of solution onto the part. There are several companies that do it, you can buy a kit for about $350 that kind of works. The process requires wet sanding down to about 1500, and any imperfections show. It's all in the prep work. We had thought to bring that process in house, but it's not as forgiving (needs a clean room) and it will still require a clear coat (paint booth )
and all the problems that come with it. If you're just wanting to do up a set of grills, not worth the effort to do much other than a rattle can. I haven't see a really good paint yet.
I agree.

Mirrors used to be done this way. Now they are done by Vacuum Metalizing on the back side of glass in China.

Vacuum Metalizing is the process of evaporating metals (most commonly
aluminum) inside a vacuum chamber, which then bonds to the desired substrate to achieve a uniform metalized layer. I have had cast parts done this way. Gold records are done this way and then sprayed with a orange tinted clear coating.

I did 1000 of production parts this way in the 70s not great innless you part is primo. Models are done this way.

This is also the way plastic chrome is done. Also real chrome plating can be done on PVC plastic the way radio knobs where done in the Late 60s

To much on this

Bob Burton