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."Click to view attachment
Thanks

Looks more satin than mirror.

I had the same parts done and wasn’t happy with the outcome. Ended up buying new one. I think I got them from a place called 914rubber......

They look right now

I watched west coast custom's over the weekend,..and they showed some parts being spayed with some type of system ( looked like powder coating). but when they were finished they looked like chrome,.I have no clue who did the spray work,..maybe they did IDK

There are some spray chrome products out there (ALSA is one I seem to remember), but most of the OTC ones (like Duplicolor, etc.) seem rather disappointing.

I have a set of 914 rubber's grill and they look great. Price was not bad. And, no, Mikey did not bribe me. 914 Rubber is a great resource.

The guys who did mine had samples of other plastic parts that looked great. They said the d plastic on my grills just would work right. I had sanded off all the original chrome coating myself. They made multiple attempts. Sometimes it turned yellow. Sometimes it flaked off.

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.


If you just want some shinny stuff and don't mine some imperfections I may be able to find some seconds hanging around I could cut you a deal on.

It is not 'chrome' but it looks fine to use IMO. Unless you are going concours, I don't see a problem using them.

I have used another brand of "chrome paint" before (dont remember which) and found that how you apply it makes a big difference. Multiple lighter coats produced the chrome color but without the gloss while a really wet coat would give it more of a shine after it dried. Surface prep makes a difference too.

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

How are you putting the shinny Chrome on your fog light grills?

Vacuum metalizing. And yes the part has to be prepped as any imperfections show. Thats why we have a few seconds when we do production.

That is what I thought you were doing. They look fantastic BTW

Vacuum metalizing. And yes the part has to be prepped as any imperfections show. Thats why we have a few seconds when we do production.

Sorry guys on the phone here having some issues

This guy compared a bunch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL4IYoxJqu4

Looks like a good material for a daily driver.

I found this product that seems like the holy grail of chrome paints. It seems all most too good to be true but thinking of buying it to find out only thing stopping me is the price a bit on the pricey side especially if it doesn't work like promised. Has anybody tried this product?

https://youtu.be/GY0iNcApC8s

$300.00 for a 6oz can! Wow! pricey is an understatement

Looks like a winner if it sticks well and can handle bulb heat

At $300 a can, new grills are a bargain!

Agreed. I wonder how many would this amount paint. It really makes a per part expensive. It would sure help on parts no longer available though

I was thinking outside the box on this chrome paint. Was wanting to paint my fiberglass bumpers cut out for oil cooler. This option would be more cost effective and lighter than custom made with cut out for oil cooler chrome steel bumpers. So 30 sq ft coverage for front and rear bumpers painted chrome for $300.

EASY CHROME’s shine is near equal to our silver nitrate system. It’s the same level of gloss as real chrome. So it can repair chrome as well.

Fix your chrome with just a can of Easy Chrome in the trunk. As easy as that!

The same shine as our Chroming machines but in a simple spray!

It will not dull out after topcoat (top coat is optional; this stuff is pretty tough without it)
This will not fade for many years. 10 year warranty.
Basecoat 70% solids. It is like Glass! Same for topcoat.
Pretty crazy and durable without top coat. (Wheels will need topcoat)
Shines like real chrome!
So easy to use!

$239. But you could do 3 bumpers or more with it. Better have a super smooth straight plastic part. It will show every imperfection. Glass parts are not that clean.

Bob B