Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Putting a chrome finish on a doll

I am working on an art piece which involves plating a doll in chrome. Is this possible? Would it be more beneficial to use a plastic doll or a porcelain one? Where can I get this done, or is there a way to achieve the effect myself?

Julia Morris
- Los Angeles, California
2002

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Anything, including insects, bones, and leaves is plateable, Julia. Virtually all automobile grills, headlamp fascia, and taillight surrounds are chrome plated plastic, so it's certainly doable. This ultra robust type of plating is only for ABS plastic though.

Porcelain, and other grades of plastic, would need to employ a lacquer and a silvering solution as the base for the plating, so they wouldn't be up to outdoor exposure and really rough handling, but that doesn't seem like a problem for a doll.

Alternately, the part could be vacuum metallized (like a reflective mylar balloon), or it could be painted with "chrome-look" paint

You really can't do chrome plating yourself though, and vacuum metallizing equipment is probably too expensive for you. Try searching our Directory of Jobshops.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2002