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Chrome paint
I am looking for an over-the-counter spray paint that approximates a chrome finish as much as can be expected. I am finishing a small 4" x 4" metal part.
Thanks in advance...
David S [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]hobbyist - Toronto, Ontario, Canada
(2003)
If you're looking for really inexpensive "over-the-counter spray paint", you could try Plastikote Bumper Chrome Paint [linked by editor to product info at Amazon], David. From its name alone, you know they are trying to get the color right -- but this rattle-can paint doesn't truly approximate the look of chrome plating in my estimation.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey
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I agree that most spray commercial spray paints don't approximate chrome. This has to do with the differences in surface architecture between a plated surface and a conventional metallic pigment. (bounce angles of light, uniformity, dispersion...etc). However, there is a new generation of coatings based on VMP (vacuum metallized pigments) that do in fact approximate chrome. You see this in the automotive industry as many of the interior chrome parts are now a coating instead of conventional chrome.
Frank Thomas- Cleveland, Ohio
Thanks, Frank. Vacuum metallizing of auto interior parts may indeed be recently improved but is not new. The armrests, window cranks and dashboard parts of many 1960's automobiles used this technology of vacuum metallizing on plastic. The metallizing wore off quickly, exposing mustard color plastic underneath. Because most car buyers mistakenly thought that it was "chrome plating", the misidentification gave chrome plating of plastic an undeserved bad name. Real chrome plating of plastic is used for the grills and exterior parts of many if not most cars todays, and it stands up to decades of sun, salt, and ice.
Vacuum metallizing is also the technology used on the "jewelry" in Cracker Jax and gumball machine prizes. I believe you that it's better today than it was in the 1960's. But to the small degree that we can prevent it, we're not letting this cheaper technology ride the coattails of chrome plating's outstanding performance and ruin its reputation for a second time :-)
Readers may wish to see our "Introduction to Chrome Plating"
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey
(2004)
So, IS there any chrome spray paint that will come 'extremely close' to approximating the look of chrome plating? I did find a product by Alsa Corp. but wow...$150 for 8 oz! I would be willing to pay $50 for 8 oz. as long as I get a good finished look. Any suggestions as to what to use or where to get it? Thanks...
Ray Henry- Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania
++++ Concerning the question of chrome Paint and the claimed suppliers of such a product, I have extensive experience with a product called [deleted by editor] and a product called [deleted by editor]. First, [the first brand] is neither user friendly nor is it near as durable as suppliers of this product claim. After a substantial investment for equipment and the product itself a person can produce a sprayed on chrome finish on just about anything. The problem is this finish does not last more than six months, it appears to start discoloring most of the time around the edges (but not always) and eventually just peels right of the substrate. I could go on for some time about the poor quality of this product but I think it will suffice to say that this product does not work more than a very temporary basis. The supplier of [the first brand] will not confirm the shortcomings of this product if confronted, but just remember they only need to sell you the system and the supplies once and they have just made good money off one more sucker. [The second brand] is considerably more user friendly and much more cost efficient. If applied properly it looks very much like chrome until it is topcoated at which time it's reflectivity is reduced to about 85 to 90 percent. This a very nice effect to have in your bag of tricks as a custom painter, but if your looking for a chrome paint to replicate the look, feel, and durability of chrome plating, such a product does not exist.---- Just the truth. Larry Spencer- Dallas, Texas |
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Chrome plating is the application of very hard, slippery, corrosion resistant and abrasion resistant metal. You are right, Larry, no paint offers what a layer of real chrome metal offers. Chrome plating been the premium decorative finish for over 60 years.
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We ask that people not slam products here! As soon as we print your letter, do we owe Joe.Phony@hotmail.com the opportunity to write "The brand that Larry recommended is a cheat and no good at all!". If we don't print it, are we censoring, or are we deleting a phony plant? We get many suspicious postings every day, including some where the IP address proves they are plants :-)
We can't do a police background check to determine vested interests on a hundred postings a day, so it would be silly for a reader to try to determine the quality of a product from the number of complaints planted by their competitor; it's best to just not print slams in the first place. And it would a bit rude to ask our advertisers to provide a forum where people can discuss metal finishing issues, and thank them for that generosity by posting unverified slams of their product possible from competitors posting with fictitious names :-)
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 Ted Mooney, P.E. finishing.com Brick, New Jersey |
December 9, 2009
If you want REAL Chrome in a can you will find it at Alsa. Killer Chrome is REAL Chrome broken down in a spray form. I will forever use Alsa Corp's paints. Check the site out.
Sandi Propst- Ponte Vedra, Florida
December 9, 2009Hi, Sandi. I am glad that you are so pleased with Alsa, but be thankful that the shops who chrome plate the landing gear of airliners know better than to believe that chrome-look paint is "REAL Chrome broken down in a spray form" :-)
Chrome-look paint is NOT chrome; chrome is an electroplated layer of the element chromium. It is 100 percent metal, "grown" onto the metal substrate by electroplating for perfect adhesion. Chrome-look paint may look a lot like chrome plating, but is does not have the lubricity, low coefficient of friction, adhesion, electrical conductivity, oil-holding capacity, wear resistance, scratch resistance, corrosion resistance, emissivity/absorbtivity, or hardness of chrome. Please see our FAQ: "Introduction to Chrome Plating". Thanks!
I am not knocking chrome-look paint at all; I am simply saying that we mustn't pretend that it is real chrome plating.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey
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February 25, 2010 I have read over the chrome "paint" vs. Chrome "metal plating" - I am looking for a product that has the depth and shine of chrome for use on plastic scale model replicas. I am familiar with AlClad II metallic finishes for hobbyists => hobbyist - Tucson, Arizona February 26, 2010 Hi, John. Any of the major brands of chrome-like paint should be fine. What is required for durability is that, after the very thin layer of silvering or aluminum flake, that the paint system include a durable clear coat to cover and protect that metallizing from rubbing off easily. Regards, |
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Ted Mooney, P.E. finishing.com Brick, New Jersey |
August 3, 2010
I understand the actual difference between chrome and chrome paint. I also understand that real chrome finish is superior to paint. I need to chrome paint a part but am concerned with longevity, so my question is this, if the painted piece is not handled once installed and is not exposed to the elements should I be concerned with longevity? it will be exposed to direct sun as there is a clear lens over it, but that is it.
dan smith- morton, illinois, united states of america
August , 2010
Hi, Dan I personally would not expect this to be a problem. Good luck.
Regards,
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Ted Mooney, P.E. finishing.com Brick, New Jersey |