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-----Need real Chrome plating of plastic parts
RFQ: Looking for a supplier capable of Chrome Plating and molding a PC/ABS or ABS brite for a license plate eyebrow. Vehicle volume estimated at 240,000 yr. Must be QS or ISO certified. Part size is approximately 22 mm x 270 mm. Targeted cost ~$3.00 each. More details available if interested.
Jeff D. [surname deleted for privacy by Editor]- Boyne City, Michigan
2004
Ed. note: This RFQ is outdated, but technical replies are welcome, and readers are encouraged to post their own RFQs. But no public commercial suggestions please ( huh? why?).
RFQ: Presently having trim parts and script re-cast in plastic by outfit in Tucson who can only supply Al vapor coating. Notice that GM exterior trim parts of cast plastic have some much more durable finish, probably of electroplated Cu-Ni-Cr or something similar.
Q. Considering your comments on plastic plating, who provides this service once the parts are cast? And, what exactly should I ask for?
Thanks for your help,
James T [surname deleted for privacy by Editor]Collectable Autos and Resto. - Afton, Minnesota, USA
2004
Ed. note: This RFQ is outdated, but technical replies are welcome, and readers are encouraged to post their own RFQs. But no public commercial suggestions please ( huh? why?).
A. Hi, James.
Yes,for exterior automotive use, you need real chrome plating. Aluminum vacuum metallizing is for interior parts and won't hold up.
by American Society for Electroplated Plastics
on Amazon or eBay
or AbeBooks
(affil link)
First, the plastic material should be plating grade ABS if possible. ABS is the most plateable of plastics because it's two-component composition allows a deep and secure etching for plenty of mechanical key.
Then you want to specify automotive quality copper-nickel-chrome plating. It's probably not just a matter of specifying it, but insuring that the shop has existing customers for automotive exterior chrome plating because it's very difficult to exactly specify the plating layers you want and the testing you want for quality assurance. It's much easier if the shops says they offer exterior automotive chrome plating on plastic per Chrysler spec xxxx or GM spec yyyy or Honda spec zzzz, etc, and you can ride that spec's coattails. Good luck with it.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
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