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Location: Rogersville, Tn. | Hey fellows, has any of you ever used the spray on chrome on your cars pot metal pieces. If so, what do you think of it and could you recommend it as an alternative to the expensive traditional re chroming.
Wayne |
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Location: Blythewood, SC | I've seen it, but I've never used it. It does not look exactly like chrome, but it is a fraction of the cost. For a car you drive a lot and not a trailer queen, it would be a great alternative. It is interesting to watch it applied! The tech paints it on, then washes the part with water. The guy that I saw doing it said it is twice the price of typical paint, but that is still much cheaper than chrome. I don't know how it holds up over time. |
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Location: Perth Australia | I think thats the one i saw where he painted a darth vader helmet, looked good when he finished but i wondered why his hands didnt get chromed as well? he wasnt carefull where he sprayed.
as for the pot metal, i guess if it had no pits it would be good otherwise it would look crappy
Mick |
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Location: Skaneateles,NY(summer)/Port St.Lucie,FL(winter) | Though not nearly as substantial as Chrome plating, it has it's advantages. It's basically the same as a base coat/clear coat type of finish...MUCH cheaper than refinishing and chroming, especially for pot metal. Which means that you can use bondo to fill pits, then finish with "spray Chrome". If care were used on the pieces they would probably last a long time...though not NEARLY as durable as Chrome...more like a paint finish... |
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Location: Rogersville, Tn. | Thanks for the information guys. I think I'm going to give it a try . If it will last as long as clear coat, it should do me the rest of my time as the car will be stored indoors.
Wayne |
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Location: Florida | I've also read that in most cases, it is better suitable for interior items, pieces that will not normally be exposed to the elements - I understand that it is less durable than regular automotive paint.
There's a provider of this service who maintains an interesting website: http://www.coatofchrome.com/
I'm not endorsing Coat of Chrome, just mentioning it here since it is pertinent to the thread. |
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Location: Rogersville, Tn. | Thanks for the information John. I have sent them an email requesting info. I would like to find someone in the East Tennessee area that uses this process, but so far no luck.
Wayne |
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Expert 5K+
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Location: Big pimpin' | Unless sprayed and prepped by a PRO. this stuff looks like REALLY shiney "Chrome Aluminum" spray paint complete with orange peel...
Edited by dukeboy 2010-12-22 8:41 PM
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Expert
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Location: Skaneateles,NY(summer)/Port St.Lucie,FL(winter) | This doesn't look like spray paint to me ...
http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/segment/restoration-blog/spray-on-chr...
Edited by 345 DeSoto 2010-12-22 10:33 PM
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Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | I just had a conversation with a local car guy, who has the time and $$$ to do high dollar restorations,( and does much of the work himself) but who also is an enthusiast who drives his cars all over. He also just happens to own a local powder coating shop - the shop where many around here, including myself, takes their old car parts and other items to be powder coated. I gave him the link to the Jay Leno video and he said he has looked into the process and it's not as good as they claim it to be. He is saying, in essence " if its not good enough for me, it's not good enough for my customers".
This is a link to his collection. He doesn't have any Forward Look cars YET... but I'm working on him. There are a number of Canadian only models pictured, and one Mercury he bought from Big-M. http://www.59ford.com/carfriends/themountaintop.html
Edited by imopar380 2010-12-23 3:31 PM
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Expert ,, George Passed away July 28th 2021, He will be Missed
Posts: 1295
Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | It is a cheaper and much poorer substitute for the chrome finish that should be on a car... I would rather save my money up for the rear thing!
George
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Location: cornpatch county, Southwest IOA | I have been interested in this process for some-time. And I have actually seen it. Looks very impressive. . Go to Spectra Chrome website and they will provide dealer listings . There may be one near you. I would have a professional do it altho Eastwood offers a kit for the do it yourselfers. . I think less than satisfactory on that.
I think I will have the "chrome" factory dash plastic done on my 64 Dodge. with this spray chrome.
Keep us informed . Anyone else have experience with it?......................MO |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
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Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | I'm sceptic, but then again it's a paint. I'll think that the instrument panel will be great with this product - to rechrome it will most probably cost a fortune! |
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Location: Big pimpin' | chrysler300c - 2010-12-23 12:42 AM
It is a cheaper and much poorer substitute for the chrome finish that should be on a car... I would rather save my money up for the rear thing!
George
Well George, When you send parts out to get the "Real" chrome, you will be gettin' the "Rear Thing" allright..
I've seen this stuff up close and while it isn't anywhere near chrome plating, it is a poor mans substitute
Edited by dukeboy 2010-12-23 2:02 PM
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Yeahbutt: if someone has a badly pitted piece of potmetal, as above mentioned, that guy could get to be repaired with
bondo, and then 'silvered', rather than have the re-chromer necessarily have to polish out the fine detail in/on that
piece.
Also, sending-out the piece to a PRO, like Chaney says, wouldn't be a big deal, either.
I'd give the process a 'shot', on small pieces or on tail light bezels, etc.
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Location: Perth Australia | I just watched the Jay Leno thing and it does look good and if you have a pot metal part that the chromers wont touch, then why not use it, lost nothing if it doesnt come out right.
When i first looked into it, I was thinking about doing plastic repo's of some badges ect as display things not really for cars but I got side tracked and sort of forgot about it.
I saw that you can get a small set up for about $2500.00 so if you wanted to try doing it yourself, you would want to be doing a lot.
I did wonder why you would need to spray it though as they just seem to drown the part with no real care, why cant you just dip it and save spraying stuff everywhere.
I would like to see a part done in this stuff
Mick |
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Location: Perth Australia | Ok
Just after much chasing around, found a guy that used to do it just down the road from me. He was doing it about 7 or 8 years
ago and had a lot of problems with adheasion and dis coloration after a couple of weeks. He told me that he didnt get much help
from the suppliers, they basically told him he was doing it wrong. He also told me the set up that he got cost him $40,000.00.
I dont know if the process has changed or got better since then, but at least the equipment has gotten cheaper. The only place
I found over this side of the world that does this is in Queensland (about 7000 km from me) and they didnt answer the phone.
I guess they are off for Christmas.
It would be hard for me to see a live demo of the process, but i did find someone in the US that will do it.
I have asked for the demo dvd, so will see what happens
Check out their web site and see what you think
http://www.sprayonchrome.com/Gallery.html
If someone decides to do it, I would love to know as If its good, I would like to do it over here as a little side line business
Thanks
Mick
Edited by ttotired 2010-12-23 9:37 PM
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Extreme Veteran
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Location: Upper East Tennessee | Wayne C. - 2010-12-22 7:24 PM
Thanks for the information John. I have sent them an email requesting info. I would like to find someone in the East Tennessee area that uses this process, but so far no luck.
Wayne
Wayne, I think there's a guy in Morristown TN who offers this service...or something very similar. I've seen the results...not quite as good as chrome but not far off. |
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Regular
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Location: Rogersville, Tn. | For all of you that are interested in this process, I'm going to give it a try. I hope to find someone local in east Tn. that uses this process, but if I can't, I talked with a company the other day that said that if I wanted to I could prep the items myself, send the items to them and they would spray them for me. I have a deburring wheel on order and when I get it I'm going to prep a few items, send them off and see how they come back.
Thanks to all of you for your input, and I will let you know what I think after receiving the items back.
Wayne |
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Expert
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Location: Skaneateles,NY(summer)/Port St.Lucie,FL(winter) | All it is is appying a mirror to the outside of something, then applying a clear protective coat over it. I don't understand why someone would need to pay thosands of dollars to set this up. I would NOT use this for a bumper, wheels, or side trim, but I would try it on small pitted up pot metal trim pieces that are impossible to replace or would loose their detail having the pits polished out. Here's a video... http://angelgilding.com/Mirror_Videos.html#TinSilverGlass
Edited by 345 DeSoto 2010-12-24 8:42 AM
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Expert 5K+
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Location: Perth Australia | I sent off for their promotion pac a while ago and it turned up yesterday
I havnt really looked at it all yet, but I was hopeing for a sample of something that had been done with it but the only shiney thing was the cd 
I am not sure the method from 345 DeSoto is the same as it looks like you have to be carefull about how you leave the metal solution, should watch it again to see (saw it a while ago).
My use for it would just be for interior items and perhaps emblems, but as it seems to be like a paint, polishing the vehicle would need extra care around items done with this stuff so it dont wear away.
Hey Wayne
any news yet?
Mick |
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Location: Rogersville, Tn. | I found a guy in Morristown Tn. (about 25 miles from my home)that uses this system. I talked with him, and he agreed to let me prep the items and bring them to him for spraying. He said he would not guarantee the work because he did not do the prep work, and he wanted to Waite for the weather to warm up some before spraying them. I have two mirrors and the hood ornament prepped and ready to take to him when the weather breaks. I'll post the results when I get them back. I also talked with a neighbor that used this person and he was pleased with the results, and he told me that his uncle had some of his stuff sprayed and he was pleased with the results. |
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Location: Perth Australia | Good stuff, Keep us posted
Mick |
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Location: Williams California | Several years ago I bought a set of interior garnish pieces off E-bay that were advertised as rechromed. Upon receiving them, I noticed it was some kind of paint process, as there was a spray 'texture' on it, although it looked quite a bit like chrome. I figured I'd use them anyways, as they did look quite nice. Several months down the road, they began to turn a dull grey at the edges, and within a year the color was almost purple!
I do not know if the process used was Spectra-Chrome, but I was not pleased with the product. I sent my original cores to my plater and got them done properly this time. Until someone has had lasting results with these products, I, personally, will shy away from them.
---John |
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Location: Perth Australia | I think thats the whole thing about it John, I was hopeing they would send me something, even just a plastic square or whatever and I was going to put it on the roof of my house and see what happened. I will at some stage be trying to make the plastic part that goes around the gauges in the dash, as it looks like that is hard to get and very fragile but I dont want to get it plated because I will probably make it out of fibreglass or something. Dont think it would stand up to the riggors of plating.
Mick |
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Account Suspended
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Location: At "The Rock" in upper East Tennessee | Wayne, Drop me a PM sometime and let's swap phone numbers. I have been thinking about doing this for some small stuff and on some Harley parts. Maybe we could partner up of a system and both get some use out of it.
I fool with these old cars, you might have seen my thread in the vendor section "Let me build your Christine or Forward look car" I might not be a "PRO" but I'm a pretty fair hand.
My shop is just over in Sneedville. (Cool Branch rd right in front of War Creek church)
Edited by 58Donnie 2011-01-11 9:12 PM
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Expert 5K+
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Location: cornpatch county, Southwest IOA | I wonder what the factory used. I have seen chrome plated plastic , and it has some " thickness" similar to chrome on steel. My 64 dodge project has a thin " chrome" finish around the guages etc. and it has worn or faded off down to the plastic color. It is not plating, but appears to be a coating or something like this spectra chrome without the clear urathane top coating. Anyone know how the factory did it?......................MO |
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Location: Perth Australia | Mo
Eactly what i have been thinking, the plastic dashes ect on the okd falcons ect over here ar not that strong and i think this stuff would be perfect.
A while ago i was looking at that hydrogen gas from water to run a car and the contraversy with this st uff is almost the same.
By the way, the hydrogen went nowhere, I couldnt get the circuit to work
Mick |
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Expert 5K+
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Location: Perth Australia | Sorry about the typing lol had a couple tonight
Mick |
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Location: At "The Rock" in upper East Tennessee | For lack of a better description Mo it's like foil. You can look at a process that model car builders use for it, I don't think this is have car makers did it but it might be an option.
I can't think of a name right off the top of my head but there are places that will restore plastic chrome. |
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Location: Springville, CA | Plastic is "chrome plated" using the vacuum depostition process where aluminum is "sputtered" onto the parts in a fairly strong vacuum.
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Location: cornpatch county, Southwest IOA | 56Fanatic - 2011-01-12 9:49 AM
Plastic is "chrome plated" using the vacuum depostition process where aluminum is "sputtered" onto the parts in a fairly strong vacuum.
Loyd Loyd, I'm not sure, but I think you are describing the thicker chrome surface that dash restorers use.
I am talking about the chrome dash like on 64-65-66 Chevelles. That stuff is thin and wears off. I have never seen one of these dashes that is original factory and still looks good...............................MO |
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Expert
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Location: Snohomish, WA. | From I've seen, there are two different systems on the market.
Alsa Corporation was the 1st on the scene several years ago. Apparently though their system was not standng up to outdoor use very well and was susceptible to peeling and had adhesion issues.
Spray On Chrome is a different system, although related to the Alsa system as far as the process is concerned.
Spray On Chrome has much better adhesion properties, has passed the standard tests for durability in the outdoors (salt tests etc) and reportedly looks much more like real chrome than the Alsa product. This is test by electronics on a reflectivity measurement.
Yeah, they are not chrome, but for a lot of folks it's a better alternative than paying big bucks for driver quality chrome and even bigger bucks for show quality chrome.
I tend to believe that if a guy like Leno or the show car guys think it's a decent product, it likely is. Can a guy do it himself? The Spray On Chrome folks do sell it in a spray can system (it takes a couple of different cans I think), but the best quality is going to come from using the spray guns they recommend (apparently they sell the entire system in a complete kit form).
A guy could buy the system, use it to complete his car, and sell it afterward to make some money back. One of the best uses is for rechroming the chromes plastic stuff that is normally done by vacuum deposition of vaporized aluminum such as the chrome on a lot of the plastic dash bezels etc. Remove the original stuff, polish the plastic to remove any light scrathes and such, mask it and shoot the base color; let dry and shoot the chrome layer,and follow with a clear coat.
Or send it to a vendor like Mr G's and have it done professionally with the original vacuum deposited aluminum. But it will cost you.
The thing is, it's an alternative. Both systems have made improvements to address the shortcomings and have come a long way.
None of the systems, actual chrome included, take care of the real problem with re-chroming; getting the original part cleaned of the copper and chrome without losing the original detail of the part. especially on pot metal pieces. But the painted systems are much more "pit friendly" than the electrolysis deposition chrome system.
In the end, as always, it's up to the guy who owns the car to decide what to do with the chrome stuff. This is just another alternative.
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Location: Williams California | Good info, Mike.
---John |
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Location: cornpatch county, Southwest IOA | There are probably different systems. The one I researched said that theirs was like the material that mirrors are made with and it was very important to spray liberally with certain kind of water- I think it said "ionized" then final step was to coat with a clear urathane.........................MO |
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Location: Snohomish, WA. | All of the systems use deionized(distilled) water. No impurities, Mo. Grocery store sells it. The Spectra Chrome folks (also found under Spray on Chrome) have passed all the outdoor tests. I have never seen where the Alsa system has been subjected to the same test.
The adhesion test is where they do a crosshatch pattern with a knife, cutting all the way through the base coat, then putting tape down on it and peeling it back off. If the squares created by the crosshatch cutting come off, there isn't sufficient adhesion.
The Spectra Chrome system also lets you store premixed material for a while; less waste.
I'm still trying to find someone local that may be doing the Spectra Chrome jobs. No luck yet. Might be a worthy side business.
Mike |
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Expert 5K+
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Location: cornpatch county, Southwest IOA | Thanks Mike --that is interesting. A couple of years ago when I first heard about spray on chrome ( and I believe it was the Spectra Chrome company in particular-and I think out of Florida) I looked it up on the internet. They showed the process and provided a dealership list. There is one not far from me in Kansas City. And they were looking for dealers to buy all the needed equipment and training. It was pricey and certainly not affordable for occasional use. Since then so many have jumped on the band wagon with all sorts of spray on chrome process, that it is hard to find the leaders in that process. and get no BS information......................MO |
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Location: Snohomish, WA. | The biggest concern I have, overall, on the spray chrome paint is it's ability to withstand UV. The other version (Not Alsa) has a definite problem of yellowing and peeling.
To be truly a replacement alternative to real chrome, it needs to retain it's bluish black highlights over years in the sun, like real three layer chrome does.
Jury is still out.
Mike |
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Location: Rogersville, Tn. | Well I have the items in the photograph below all packed up and ready to mail off tomorrow to have the sprayed with spectra chrome. They say I should have them back in 3-4 weeks after they receive them. I'll post photographs of the finished product and my thoughts of the quality when I get them back.
 (preped mirrows 002.JPG)
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 preped mirrows 002.JPG (132KB - 377 downloads)
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Location: cornpatch county, Southwest IOA | Wayne C. - 2011-01-17 6:09 PM
Well I have the items in the photograph below all packed up and ready to mail off tomorrow to have the sprayed with spectra chrome. They say I should have them back in 3-4 weeks after they receive them. I'll post photographs of the finished product and my thoughts of the quality when I get them back. ```````````````````````````````````` Is the name of the company actually Spectra Chrome - or a similar company? What city-state are you sending it to? Is the parts to the right interior or exterior? Did they tell you if it would have a UV protecting coating? I am reall interested in this for plastic parts in particular. Thanks .............MO |
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Location: Rogersville, Tn. | The parts are going to Class Glass & Performance Inc. Cumberland Md. Google the name and it will get you to there web sight. All the parts I am sending are exterior parts (mirrors and hood ornaments) As far as UV protection, the way I understand it is that they use a high quality auto clear coat over the chrome. In my way of thinking it would be as well protected as painted mirrors on today's cars. |
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Location: Snohomish, WA. | Mo, their clear coat is the UV protecting coat as well. And the company name is Spectra Chrome.
Here's their site: http://www.sprayonchrome.com/index2.html
and here's their spec page: http://www.sprayonchrome.com/techdata.htm
Street Rodder magazine just did a spread on it for the rear tailight bezels on and old Plymouth as well.
http://www.streetrodderweb.com/tech/1101sr_spectra_chrome/index.htm...
I can find nothing on their web site about finding local folks using their system though. gonna have to email them for that I guess.
Mike |
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Location: cornpatch county, Southwest IOA | Mike--I don't care what everyone eles says---you ARE worth a hoot!------------Thanks I had lost their link.
Wayne, please let us know your first hand experience...................MO |
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Location: Perth Australia | Cant wait Wayne
Did you grind the chrome ect off?
Mick |
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Location: Rogersville, Tn. | I used a sand blaster to remove the chrome plating down to the copper, filled the pits with bondo then primed the metal with etching primer and then a few coats of catalyzed primer. I then sanded up to a 1000 grit.
Mo, I will let you know and post pic. when the items return. |
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Location: Perth Australia | Thanks Wayne
Taking it all in
Mick |
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Location: Oley, PA | Wayne. I'm looking forward to seeing the results of what you get back. Did they give you a cost estimate? |
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Location: Rogersville, Tn. | Greg, they gave a ball park est. of $200.00 for the 4 pcs. with me doing the prep work. I don't know what they would want with them doing the prep. I checked with another company and they wanted 325 each with them doing everything. |
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Madison, Wisconsin | It would have been interesting to get a comparison bid on re-chrome. |
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Location: Perth Australia | Last time I priced up chrome, I think it would have been $200 for each piece
Mick |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 444
Location: Victoria, AUSTRALIA | HI Guys,
I can add some info for you. I own a business in Victoria, Australia called "ChromeFX" www.chromefx.com.au
yes same as Alsa Corp. I bought the spray chrome system. to clarify its not a painted silver. yes you paint the bascoat and the clearcoat but the silver is actually applied with distilled water which acts as a carrier for the silver. You cannot co and buy the stuff off the shelf or paint it with a normal spray gun. the process is very precise. you also need to bake the basecoat. you also need a booth to apply the basecoat and top coat. In my opinion and I sell the service to many customers
if you want a top quality show car, then get real chrome. if you want the next best thing this is it. I wouldn't go and paint a bumper as it will chip like factory paint. the clear is hard but will still chip. interior stuff and badges not worries. engine compartment stuff ok, rocker covers probably not. While i'm still learning the chrome coating trade its really getting there.
yellowing issues are gone, and most of the time, user fault. I can tell you its a very precise process and if you stuff it up at any stage ( 3 stages ) you start right back at the start. not like normal spraying you can rub it out and keep going.
Bascially as some of you said, repair the part or item as you would to paint it normally, then final rub wet with 1200
very smooth. then in the chrome coating, you paint a basecoat on the item. one heavy coat. it floods out and evens out really shiny and flat. you have to bake the item at 140 for 2 hours. then you mix your chemicals with the distilled water and spray on the item. what it on youtube its running off the part - the stuff is 90% water. rinse, blow dry, the heat for 1/2 hr to make sure part is really dry. then you clearcoat the item and add colour with tinters if you want coloured chrome.
The Orange peel is usually from, the part not rubbed super flat first off. the basecoat not flat enough or the top coat to heavy.
yep I have dulled the process down but i'm a signmaker / painter and i'm telling you its not as easy as it sounds. but some of the results I have got, they look awesome. As its a side line for me I usually turn parts around in 2 weeks.
I have done a football boot, helmet, car parts, horse bits ( for show only ), roll cage, and some dash fascias. I even did a 1934 hotrod grill and a full grill and bumper from a FC holden ute. so if you have trouble finding someone, go to my website and email me a photo and I can price it for you. or even if you want to ask me more questions go for it. I plan to do my plymouth grill and interior parts when i'm up to that stage but dont need the bumpers done as they are already chrome.
so if you can afford the real deal do it it is the best but the alternative is very good.
knighty
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Location: cornpatch county, Southwest IOA | Tim, thank you very much for inside info we can trust--no hype. I have researched several sources on this system- the more I read, the more confusing. Evedently there are more than one systens. I had never seen that a heating is needed- probably makes a difference in quality work. Did you get your system from Spectra Chrome out of Florida? Not that I would want to start up doing it, but would like to find a dealer near me that can do it right. . I need plastic dash parts done . Thanks, you can PM me if you would rather...............MO |
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Extreme Veteran
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Location: Victoria, AUSTRALIA | HI Steve,
I bought the system from Alsa went to LA and got training and wil be going back in April this year to follow up. I bought the system
to expand our sign business. and obviously do some of my own in the process. I can ask Alsa who does it in your area but
at this stage I couldn't tell you. There is about 3 companies that are the suppliers of the system. Alsa, Spectra Chrome, Gold touch.
I'm in no position to say either way which is best as I have only bought the Alsa system. But my initial research is the way the process is
are the same. chemical ratios, basecoats and clears would be there own i'm sure but thats all I know. and Yes to speed up the chroming process
baking is a must. for example if you dropped off a price to me at 7am when I start work the paret would be basecoated, chromed and cleared by 3pm
( not working on it the whole time, maybe 30mins total ) you could pickup and be gentle with it the next morning. so it happens pretty quick.
the setup time, backtime, washup time is the time consuming bit, reason I batch most stuff up. Its not worth the money just to do you project say, or as a hobby.
lot of wasted time getting it sorted. but if you wanted to start up a small business on the side with many contacts it would work for sure.
I will ask Alsa who they recommend and get back to you. There are some other chrome options, one is called vacuum chroming, maybe goggle it.
no idea what it costs, but it looks awesome on plastic.
knighty
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Expert
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Location: Snohomish, WA. | That's all I want it for too, Steve; interior pieces that were originally vacuum deposited aluminum as faux-chrome would look better in the newer spray-on chrome.
The only thing I'd be concerned with is like when the gauge face is done on clear plastic, the basecoat would be visible at the edges inside the face. Maybe a suitable paint color laid down first with the basecoat over that and then the silvering and clear. The first coat could be maybe a spray can silver or something to disguise it all.
There may be some places outside the car it is suitable for, but there would be many places it shouldn't be used on the exterior. Tim, you may know this, not sure, but one of the competing systems puts up the baking need of the Alsa system as a drawback and point out that their system doesn't require it. I've also seen several threads on other boards that the Alsa system chips and peels easier than it's competitors; and video tests are done to show it in a direct comparison. I do know that Alsa has apparently reformulated a few times in an attempt to address some of these issues.
Please don't think I am disparaging Alsa. Theirs was the first such system commercially available and undoubtedly there would be issues arise over time that could not have been known. I'm still interested in finding someone locally who offers the service, but so far have not found a source.
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Location: Victoria, AUSTRALIA | HI Mike,
Not sure I follow you in the guage face. Any paints put down before must be 2PAK compatible not a pressure pack can.
any 2PAKs over other 2PAKs can cause issues.
I probably told you the incorrect info. you don't have to bake the basecoat it will dry in 24hrs, but if you want it chromed in the same day you do.
the drying time is important as it has to be 24hrs at normal temperature, cooler temps will be 48hrs. so you don't need to bake it , it just speeds up the process.
Before I bought the alsa system I got some parts done by a spectra chrome company. the stuff they did and what I do they can both chip off the same.
it is mostly paint not raw metal, so if you dig at it it can chip. it passes the adhesion tests which is cutting the face with a exacto blade I think you call them
cross hatch then apply masking tape and then rip off. my advice go spray chrome for exterior diecast, trim, headlight trims, no worries.
if your part is already stainless repair & polish it, if its a bumper electroplate it.
I know all systems have had issues, I had read people have bought all three main systems and go with Cosmichrome( the 3rd one ). The best offer I give to my customers is if it fails
I will fix it or give a refund. at this point I have offered a discount to stuff i;m not over happy with ( not perfect) and they take that option everytime so the result can't be to bad.
just ask any supplier what happens if some fails what there stand on it is. then go by your gut. will ask alsa who they recommend anyway
knighty
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Location: Rogersville, Tn. | Hey fellows. I finally got the pieces I sent off for the Spectra Chrome spray process, and this is my opinion of the results. If you want
chrome for a show car I don't think you would be satisfied with this system. If you are like me and doing a car on a budget I think it looks pretty good. Just looking from a few feet away I can't tell the difference. I also think it would be great for the knobs and bezels inside the car. For the price, compared to having the pot metal re plated I an well satisfied.
I will post below one of the mirrors before prepping it and another picture of the mirror after spraying.
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Location: Rogersville, Tn. | Finished product
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Extreme Veteran
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Location: Victoria, AUSTRALIA | HI Wayne,
from a guy who is a Fellow car restorer and also a new Chrome FX applier, agree exactly with what you are saying.
they come up nice, can I ask and if you don;t want to say thats ok.
what did it cost to chrome coat the 4 items? did you do any prep work yourself?
tim
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Location: Perth Australia | Hi Wayne
They look good
Sort of looks like polished aluminium.
I am interested in the cost as well.
I saw the prep work you did.
Seeing what you started with, I think its great, I would have concidered scrapping that mirror
Mick |
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Location: Rogersville, Tn. | Tim, I paid $214.00 for six pieces and I did the prep work myself. The two mirrors, two pieces of hood ornament and two small connectors for the eyebrow molding. |
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Location: Victoria, AUSTRALIA | HI Wayne
thats a good price. I would have thought it would be more like $ 300-$350
tim |
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Location: Rogersville, Tn. | Thanks Mick. If I had it to do over I would have tossed the mirrors too. I could have found some a lot better on eBay.
Wayne |
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Location: cornpatch county, Southwest IOA | Thanks Wayne, I was hopeing you would report back. Until I can see this chrome paint in person, I will hesitate painting exterior pieces. However I think it looks very good for doing dash plastic and other interior parts. I have found a vendor for this process about 120 miles from me. He says to take a picture of the parts with a tape measure beside it and he will give a price quote. It will be a while, but I will give a report of what I find out...........................MO
BTW wayne, what all did you have to do to get that mirror prepped?
Edited by MOPAR-TO-YA 2011-03-09 1:55 AM
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Location: Perth Australia | I was just having a close look at those parts and I was thinking with the mirrors more then the bonnet emblem, but how do you think they would
look tinted to close to the color of the car eg red or blue whatever
I recon they would be a talking point at a car show
Mick |
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Location: Rogersville, Tn. | MO-PAR-To-Ya, I first sandblasted the parts and then used a 3M deburring wheel on them. After that I filled all the pits and rough area with evercoat bondo. I then used self etching primer on the first coat ( on the metal) after that I used several coats of catalyzed primer sanding to 600 grit between coats. On the last coat I sanded to 12O0 grit. They want as slick and smooth as possible, but nothing over 1200 grit. |
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Location: cornpatch county, Southwest IOA | Wayne C. - 2011-03-09 7:35 PM
MO-PAR-To-Ya, I first sandblasted the parts and then used a 3M deburring wheel on them. After that I filled all the pits and rough area with evercoat bondo. I then used self etching primer on the first coat ( on the metal) after that I used several coats of catalyzed primer sanding to 600 grit between coats. On the last coat I sanded to 12O0 grit. They want as slick and smooth as possible, but nothing over 1200 grit. You did a great job--must have a lot of patience 8-) .......MO |
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Veteran
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Location: Ben Lomond CA in the Santa Cruz Mtns | I'm looking into having the plastic dash parts redone on my '64 Plymouth. Would I have them done with the spray-on stuff or vacuum metalized. Anyone know what process was originally done on these cars? |
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Expert
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Location: Springville, CA | I would bet dollars to donuts that they were originally vacuum plated.
Loyd |
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New User
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| You are all missing the point of the spectra chrome. Yes, you can spray rims and bumpers. You can use spectra chrome on a million other things as well. If you can paint it, you can spray it with spectra chrome. You can use SC(spectra chrome) on things you wouldn't have been able to chrome before. And the chrome can be tinted a color. Think about fairings on a motorcycle. snow mobile bodies, parts on a boat or waverunner! Think outside of bumpers and rims. I bet some of you hillbillies would like a chrome or green chrome john deere! Anything! Gary Watson, of Creations n' Chrome, is the proof you need to see the real deal. He is constructing an empire due to how well Spectra chrome works! Google him or check out his website at http://www.creationsnchrome.com/ And by the way, Real chrome bumpers do scratch.
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Location: Perth Australia | No point missed Joey
We were comparing painted chrome to real chrome and by what was seen, its not bad,but its not chrome.
Personally, I thought the parts that Wayne got done were a bit pricey concidering he did all the prep work.
I am still thinking about wether or not to buy a kit to do it (I have something I would like to use it on, but I dont want to ship it anywhere).
The Mercedes F1 cars that are painted with it look good.
About chrome getting scratched, of coarse it can be scratched, anything can if you try hard enough, but chrome is much harder (tougher) than paint.
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Extreme Veteran
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Location: Victoria, AUSTRALIA | HI Guys,
I have tried both and I can tell you coming form a guy who bought the chrome kit to the real thing, dont buy it.
No matter how good finish, its not the same, in look, feel and hardness. But to spray chrome defence, if its a price thing then I would go that way
but expect it not to be as good as chrome. I bought the unit to try and make a business from it. it failed. I was going to do my grill, etc and glad I didn't
so my advice is.
ask the provider what guarantee they provide. Ask to see samples of what they have done. get a price
compare the price to rechroming. then make your decision. Yes the spray chrome does look good but dont compare it to vacuum or electroplating
as its not as good as that.
my issues were the clear pealing, the chrome fading and some items slight peel, slight yellow tinge.
I have the spray chrome unit gathering dust in my shop and i'm one of many people who were promised a lot and didn't get it.
as technology progresses it may get there but not at this point I believe. Honestly I think its fine for decorative indoor or short term outdoor stuff.
I ended up having my grill, eyebrows, headlight trim, rear tailight housings and front hood trim all chrome dipped
as a company can do this over aluminium products and its actually made the items heavier, it has real metal on there
but its expensive
knighty
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Elite Veteran
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| Knighty - I'm considering chroming the exact same pieces you did.
If not too inconvenient, can you post pics of them after installation and you thoughts on the before/after of how they look?
I'm particularly interested in how the tail light towers look and if you had any trouble with re-install due to the extra thickness....
I'm guessing not, and hoping not....I don't think the tolerances are so small on my Belv that it would matter. Thanks. |
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Extreme Veteran
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Location: Victoria, AUSTRALIA | Hey Allen,
I will take some photos for sure. I can tell you right from the get go, they look bloody awesome.
better than I had expected. The work these guys did is unreal. All the parts now look like steel chromed
probably not the look if your going for a concourse as its much brighter than the anodised trim but thats what I wanted.
The grill, etc look like the polished lower stainless bars. no trouble fitting, they are snug, but my car was a 57 so all the bars i'm fitting
only had a dry fit and check before chroming.
knighty
Edited by Knighty 2012-08-15 5:14 PM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 424
Location: Harrison, NY | Question Folk's.... While on the way to Carlisle I decided to drop off ALL my 58 Fury Chrome. We all know, there is not lot's of Chrome, however Anondized Alluminum. I was recommended to LiBrandi's Chrome Plating in Middletown, PA(Harrisburg A/P area) where I had to leave the Chrome to be inspected and receive an estimate. Ok, sounded great so that's what I did. My Chrome was from my 60K orig mile Arizona 58 in which the Chrome was in driver quality with no dent's, rust, pitting or anything else on any part I dropped off. Well.........
I received a call 3 week's later and was told the estimate was $12,300.00 plus tax!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I asked them if they had the correct order, Person and amount of boxes I left? The Owner said it was my Part's in 4 small/Med Boxes, interior moulding's and Bumper Wing's. I asked what is up with that price and he said sorry that's what it cost's.....
I was stunned, now Friday returning to the shop to retrieve my Chrome.
Does that price sound crazy to you Folk's???????
Thanks, Joe C NY |
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Extreme Veteran
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Location: Victoria, AUSTRALIA | HI joe,
this is what I have spent.
Headlight eyebrows x 2, bezels x 2, grillx 2 halves, rear tailight housings x 2. tailight extensions ( small x 2 ), front hood strip x 1 - these where all anodised
and had chrome coated - cost $ 1900
Chrome plating of guage surround x 1, interior trim x 14 items I think, horn ring, radio plate, radio plate and others - $2500
All sportone and window stainless being repaired and polished - esitmate $ 1000
so your quote is BS to me
knighty
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Elite Veteran
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| Uh....yeah, Joe, that's freakin insane; based on what Knighty spent and - there are a dozens of chrome shops around the country that do stuff for big rigs - no way they could stay in business if chroming 'actually' cost that much.
I sense you took your stuff to someone who specializes in high end customers and their high end wallets.
Looking forward to the pics Knighty.
My car is not a concours type of girl, and I'm not concours type of guy, so can't wait to see your pics.
I'm also not drop dead rich, so I'll avoid Joe's chrome shop.
Red, white, and chrome...does it get any better than that?  |
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Extreme Veteran
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Location: Victoria, AUSTRALIA | These aluminium parts I had Chrome plated. They are heavy than before so its real metal.
they look as good if not better than the polished stainless. Doesn't really match the factory
anodised if thats what your after but for $ 1900 they are awesome, which includes repairs.
so 1 x grill, 2 x headlight bezels, 2 x headlight eyebrows, 1 x hood strip, 2 x taillight housings, 2 x tailight inserts.
these are no spray chrome, these are actually electroplated.
Edited by Knighty 2012-08-20 2:41 AM
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New User
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| can you help with a problem with spectra crome turning gold after about 8 mouths ?Was nice crome while in storage after installing on vehicle it turned gold. |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 5006
| See if the guy will reshoot it under warranty?... This is a known issue with Spectra chrome, garbage product.
Cosmi Chrome is the way to go...
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