I believe this link shows the process Paul is talking about.
http://www.advancedplating.com/process/process.htm
They are located in Tennessee and do plating work for autos and motorcycles. I don't know if they would do a plastic pickup cover. Perhaps someone wants to give them a call?
Re-'chroming' plastic?
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jingle_jangle
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Actually, that link shows the process which car restoration platers use to recondition a part with severe pitting, where copper is used as a filler and is replated and buffed back to fill the pits with solid metal, at which point the nickel and chromium take over to make it look "like new", which it seldom does because the guys who do the buffing and rebuffing will usually lose all of the sharper character lines besides changing all the radii. It's a job that requires a sympathetic eye and the touch of a jeweler, and at plating shops it's left to semi-skilled laborers.
Anywhooo, this has little to do with plating plastic, though I know that Jocelyn's heart is big and in the right place.
The process of plating plastics is the same as triple chroming, except the plating baths are of a different formulation and the times are different, too; this is why the local bumper shop will not touch plastic parts.
"Local bumper shop"...there are about 5% as many of these as there were 35 years ago, as there's little demand for chrome anymore and the EPA has come down hard on them for toxic waste disposal compliance...when I was a kid they used to dump their waste down the drain...
Anywhooo, this has little to do with plating plastic, though I know that Jocelyn's heart is big and in the right place.
The process of plating plastics is the same as triple chroming, except the plating baths are of a different formulation and the times are different, too; this is why the local bumper shop will not touch plastic parts.
"Local bumper shop"...there are about 5% as many of these as there were 35 years ago, as there's little demand for chrome anymore and the EPA has come down hard on them for toxic waste disposal compliance...when I was a kid they used to dump their waste down the drain...
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
― Kurt Vonnegut
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dr_wahnsinn
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Ok Paul, let's have a discussion of hexavalent and trivalent methods of plating - JUST KIDDING! Thanks for the info, Paul.
Seriously, I have an interest in this as the (rather thick) plating on the cover on my '74 has a few flakes missing on the edge. So, if anyone ever does find a shop that can do this…
Scotty, beam me up! I believe one of my feet is not in its usual position.
Seriously, I have an interest in this as the (rather thick) plating on the cover on my '74 has a few flakes missing on the edge. So, if anyone ever does find a shop that can do this…
Scotty, beam me up! I believe one of my feet is not in its usual position.
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jingle_jangle
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Nonsense.
It's the heart's position that counts, anyway. Now, all hold hands and sing "Kum Ba Ya".
Over and out.
It's the heart's position that counts, anyway. Now, all hold hands and sing "Kum Ba Ya".
Over and out.
“I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
― Kurt Vonnegut