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Designer wants metal-look plastic forklift step that doesn't wear into junk

Our lowest level truck does great, but "looks cheap" ... how can we make the plastic step look rugged, and stay looking rugged, through possible decades of abuse?

Dusty Marie
Product Designer - Portland, Oregon, USA
January 31, 2011

Hi, Dusty.

The grills on most cars are chrome plated plastic, so it's certainly possible to make the step look like metal and be reasonably durable and robust. Top quality copper-nickel-chrome plating isn't cheap though. It's a bit hard to say, without fully understanding your step, whether years of good looking life can be expected. A very thin stainless steel skin filled with hard foam might be more durable.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
January 31, 2011

Thanks, Ted!

Dusty Marie
Product Designer - Portland, Oregon, USA
February 10, 2011

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