Hood and fender grilles
- Thread starter Stefano_b
- Start date
Chromed plastic... if they're intact with no cracks or breaks, you can have them re-chromed. There should be a source in Europe, but if not try https://www.mmmetalizing.com/
There are also convincing chrome paints available if you want to DIY on a budget.
There are also convincing chrome paints available if you want to DIY on a budget.
I've tried this on other parts as long as you prep your surface well it comes out like real chromed plastic:
Rek
Well-Known Member
Agreed. I renovated the insides of my rear lens cluster using this film.
Rek
Well-Known Member
Also, I bought new chrome grills but didn't think the 'one use only' clips were that good for such expensive items. I broke off the prongs, drilled four small holes and used stainless steel screws to attach them. It's a fake grill anyway but adding the screws improves the look. Obviously not standard but neither is many aspects of my car.
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Rek
Well-Known Member
'are' not 'is' for grammar wonks. I know there are a few.
Very nice, but rather tricky for grilles, in my opinion .
Walloth still sells these grill repops at a reasonable price?
Depends on the process...
For "painted" chrome all the imperfections has to be filled and the surface needs to be extremely flat as it will impact the effect.
For the real chrome plastic is made conducting and later on copper is electroplated. After it is polished. In case of any imperfections it is copper plating applied once again. There might be several iterations which makes the cost of chroming high.
Answering in one sentence: for mirror like effect all has to be perfectly flat. Very difficult for used parts.
I think my grilles are still original chromed plastic: has the chrome to be removed mechanically or maybe has electroplating shop a procedure to reverse the process in order to remove chrome from plastic?
I was told general rule is that it is difficult to make a full chrome process on the plastic again.
Chrome shop is making de-greasing and acid dipping to strip the chrome, nickel and copper. But hard to say if they will be able to reuse the plastic once again (apply conductive film on it to be able to electroplate the copper on it).
Also chrome shop told me it has to be specific plastic even of the part is new.
That is why used plastic are Vacuum-based (plus high voltage) chromed (like the reflectors) but such a surface has to be protected by the clear paint (2K) after to make it more durable.
Totally agree, I actually was in the process of thinking through how I would do this and decided to just buy a new set at W&N!