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Metal finishing Q&As since 1989
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Chrome Plating Plastic (aka vacuum depositing?)
I am searching for a company who can chrome plate plastic parts.
The material I will be plating is black ABS plastic. I am told this process is called "vacuum depositing". Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Scott Appe- Ponchatoula, Louisiana USA
2001
People sometimes use the phrase "chrome plated" as slang for anything that is shiny--and that can confuse the issue a bit.
ABS plastic can be chrome plated, and millions upon millions of automobile grills, headlight and taillight bezels are chrome plated ABS. This is not a vacuum process, though, but a wet process involving electroless deposition of metal, followed by copper, nickel, and chrome plating. It's a premium finish for rugged outdoor exposure, and it isn't cheap.
On the other hand, a "chrome plated" toy car, or a "chrome plated" plastic armrest on a 1960's vintage automobile would actually be vacuum-deposited aluminum, followed by a lacquer. This would be a cheap finish, but not suitable for outdoor exposure.
On the third hand, there are more robust chromium-like finishes (sputtering) that can be vacuum deposited. But it sounds to me like you are looking for real chrome plating on that ABS.
![Ted Mooney, finishing.com](../portraits/ted_mooney_beach.jpg)
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2001
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