chrome spray paint ?

[PCSAM]

hi i have picked up a spare set of bonnet grills for my z3 .
im thinking of having them painted chrome
has anybody ever painted them or any recommendations on what chrome spray paint to get ....

[hornel Z3M]

Its all rubbish in the aerosols so dont waste your money and put it towards a new set

[wella_fella]

Can you have them chrome plated or does it have to be metal to do this?

[Robert T]

Electroplating involves passing a current through the electrolyte with the object you are plating forming one of the electrodes in the circuit - this means it has to conduct electricity - so no you can't electroplate plastic.

Which part are you thinking of chroming? The surrounds come ready chromed, and the slats come either all black or with the leading edges chromed. Alternatively you could stick chrome strips to the front of the slats - there is at least one person here who has done this.

Cheers R.

[Robert T]

The procedure for “Plating on Plastic” consists of a highly complex chemical & electro-chemical process, during which the components go though total immersion in numerous tanks of solution. This includes etching the surface of the mouldings, at a molecular level, to chemically deposit a conductive coating, prior to building up a layer of Copper and Nickel before the final decorative finish.

So it is possible, but is not exactly a home use kit.

Cheers R.

[pingu]

I believe you can do it at home, I have seen the kit on ebay for gold plating plastic phone fascias. But I imagine you got to be careful as acid is involved.

It was on Dragons' Den as a franchise idea.

[PCSAM]

well I went to see a panel-beater friend who did them in matt chrome for me .
I quite like the matt chrome look . but i think i will have to do the door handles matt also .......... what do you think

[Zedona]

Sorry but there isn't enough contrast that just looks like someone failed to match the body colour.
Matt black or carbon would work better than such a similar colour.