| Search our quarter-million Q&As |
Home of the finishing HOTLINE since 1989
-----Replating Christmas Ornament
1998
I have a Christmas ornament that has been in my family for at least 50 years. It is the top for our Christmas tree. It looks like a bowl that was chrome plated. The reason for this was to reflect heat so that a Red color fan spinned and reflected the color onto the back of this "chrome" piece. My question is, can this be replated? It is faded and In some places it looks like the plastic is amber . Thanks for any help. My family really wants me to fix this but the only thing I can think of is to paint it that ugly aluminum color.
Thanks
RonIt wasn't electroplated, Ron, it was probably vacuum metallized. Yes, it is theoretically possible to plate it, but the price is probably prohibitive. My suggestion would be to inquire of lacquer manufacturers, such as G.J. Nikolas [a finishing.com supporting advertiser], into whether they have a tinted metallic lacquer that may do a better job for you than aluminum paint.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
1998
Sorry! Finishing.com is temporarily Read-Only.
Please maintain your bookmarks! Although Ted Mooney is retiring, finishing.com is not!
It will have a new owner/curator very shortly!
