As an Amazon Associate & eBay Partner: we earn from qualifying purchases
Mr. Rogers: "Look for the Helpers. You'll always find people who are helping."

finishing.com -- The Home Page of the Finishing Industry

-----

"Chroming" Plastic Miniature Figures

I recently got into hobby painting of miniature figures and while digging through an old pile of toys, I uncovered an old Cylon Raider action figure (Battlestar Galactica). The action figure had a silver reflective paint job and I became intrigued and wanted to do something similar with a large number of miniatures (basically I want to assemble and paint an army of about 200 Cylon look-alikes in 1/25 scale). A similar paint job can be seen on old Kenner Star Wars action figures such as C-3P0 and R2-D2's head.

Anyways, I was wondering if there was a durable, efficient and economical way for me to realize my army.

Jason Cordes
- Houston, Texas USA
2001

I'm not a collector, and unfamiliar with these items. But the usual technology for shiny but inexpensive items is vacuum metallizing. A thin film of aluminum is vacuum deposited, then coated with a transparent lacquer.

The reason such things look kind of "special" compared to ordinary paints is that they are. You're not going to be able to do this without investing in a vacuum metallization unit (which is not cheap) or finding a vacuum metallizing shop who is interested in doing small quantities. Please see our jobshop directory below.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
(Ted is available for instant or longterm help)
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2001

Jason, we would like to see if we can help you. Give us a call.

Mandar Sunthankar
- Fort Collins, Colorado
2001

Some shops will do gold and silver chrome...even just 1 piece...also at least one shop will also do color chroming and they will also do 1 off runs...I am an action figure collector/customizer who has had some of my work featured on websites...I also belong to a collectors group that was consulted by Palisades toys for new designs for specific figures. I am currently working on the largest chromed action figure collection in the world. I myself deal with these shops and know quite a few individuals that do. ATR

Austin Richards
- Edm. AB. Canada
2003

(No "dead threads" here! If this page isn't currently on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will restore it)

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread

Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories: