Re-'chroming' plastic?

brycycle · Post by **brycycle** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 9:46 am

can anyone recommend a company that would be able to re-finish a bridge pup cover? i'd like to re-finish it as opposed to replace it as it is the low-profile type from a '72 40001.

thanks in advance.

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 10:04 am

Bryce - try looking for a small plastics company that makes parts for the auto industry in your area. I'd think that would be a decent first start. Dash parts, light fixtures, and such have chromed plastic.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 10:47 am

There are two ways to "replate" plastic parts.

The first is called "vacuum metallizing" or "vacuum deposition". It's done by attaching the parts to a metal frame, usually with wire or alligator clips, coating them with a clear lacquer to provide a perfectly smooth surface, and then fastening the metal frame to a sort of a rotisserie which spins rapidly inside a large vacuum chamber. An aluminum electrode is heated until the aluminum begins to vaporize. The aluminum molecules adhere to the parts.

http://www.muellercorp.com/vacuum.htm This is a good basic lesson on the process.

This process is not too durable; the SECOND method (actual plating)is a more complex process but good for high-wear parts like the pickup cover. Here's a good reference:

http://www.astroelectroplating.com/

These folks are in Long Island, NY. I've had larger runs plated by them; I don't know their small run capabilities, but perhaps they could refer you to a custom shop.

In the plating process, several different types of metallic depositions are done in a chemical bath, just like plating on metal. As with triple-plating on metal, the first material is copper, followed by nickel and then chromium.

This will not be cheap to have done, however--be forewarned!

brycycle · Post by **brycycle** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 11:00 am

thanks for that Paul, very thorough.

i think i may be better off sticking to my first plan of tracking down a replacement...

thumper · Post by **thumper** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 2:01 pm

has anyone ever made one of metal ?

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 4:20 pm

I don't see any advantage to doing this, although it is a fairly easy billet machining task...but unless it was made of stainless steel, it would have to be plated anyway...aluminum, brass, or mild steel would corrode from perspiration in a very short time.

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 5:20 pm

I wonder if JH ever found a metal cover - he posted on the RIC forums a long time ago asking if anyone had one to contact him. Evidently at one time RIC used metal.

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 5:54 pm

I thought Gene Schillaci had a 4001 with a metal pickup cover.

elgranluis · Post by **elgranluis** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 3:57 pm

ive seen numerous auto body shops that will chrome all sorts of things. Try one of those places that do car customization.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 3:56 am

With all due respect, Luis, I have yet to see an auto body shop or car customizer who can plate plastic or metal on premises.

If they are even willing to take it on (which is doubtful), they would only send it to a shop that does this sort of thing, and then mark it up...

Plating job shops are a dying breed...if you find a good one, chances are in a few years, it'll be out of business, due to local and national regs. The guys who do production contract work manage to stick around due to a more stable and larger client base, but they almost never take on onesies...too much hassle and they are set up and trained for production.

stevebasshead · Post by **stevebasshead** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 1:52 am

I'd suggest checking the classic car magazines for adverts by companies who re-plate old car bits'n'pieces.

Steve.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 8:11 am

Please refer to my original post...many (if not most) of the companies that do this, do vacuum metallizing, which is not durable. You would want a company that can actually triple-plate metal (copper, nickel, chromium) on plating-grade Cycolac (ABS).

If you do find someone, and they do a good job, please post photos and share the knowledge so that we can all benefit!

teeder · Post by **teeder** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 9:43 am

There is a plating co. less than 1/2 mile down the road from me. With all the mold and tooling shops in the area, they get a lot of work.
Let me know if you want contact info.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 9:48 am

Do they do plastic plating?

teeder · Post by **teeder** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 10:21 am

Nevermind! I just called 6 places within 30 miles and no one plates plastic here.
Sorry!