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plating, anodizing, & finishing Q&As since 1989

"Plating abs plastic"

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2003

Interested in chroming abs plastic. Can this be done? If so is there any prep work that has to be done to my product before I take it to some one and have them scratch there head on what needs to be done? Also reading other related issues on this topic what makes the plating stick to the plastic?

Thanks,

Ryan Hope
a custom bike shop - Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada

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2003

No prep is needed, but you do want to make sure that your resin is defined as "plating grade".

The ABS is etched to give it a lot of tooth, then it is seeded with a catalyst that causes an electroless plating solution to directly plate out onto the seeds. This thin layer of conductive electroless plating is then electroplated.

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

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2003

Thanks for the information.

Ryan Hope
- Burnaby, Canada

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2007

Ryan,
How did you make out getting that ABS plated?
Were you able to find someone local?
I am interested in getting some ABS plated, just wondering if you could pass on any local leads.
Thanks
Neal

Neal Fu
- Richmond, British Columbia, Canada