Does anyone know how plastic gets chromed?

DaveS · 10-05-2005, 01:05 PM

The chrome on my mirrors (Big Tow-style) is getting a little beat up, but not worse than any other car I've had with plastic that's been chromed.

I know how metal gets chromed, but the process for plastic must be entirely different - some sort of spray coating perhaps?

Anyway, it's got to be a lot less expensive than metal, and it sure is less durable. I'd gladly pay a little more for actual metal on the mirrors that I knew would fight off the dings and chips better.

pi3yeargrad · 10-05-2005, 01:08 PM

Maybe u should try asking the same people that put the door pillars made of stainless and stuff like that. I hear the MAIN company (not the people off ebay and stuff) makes other products as well. I wonder if they make or CAN make something for u. Ive also heard of a company in CALI that chromes plastics...it was on the discovery channel a WHILE back...u might wanna check around and see if anyone knows the company name or anything...Im pretty sure it was cali, if not it was near there...

Nestor · 10-05-2005, 01:51 PM

I believe the surface has to be prepped with a metallized coating of some sort, allowing the one to proceed with the chroming process. It's not easy for DIY'ers. Check out Casswell for more info.

*Boogers* · 10-05-2005, 01:54 PM

The chrome part of our tow mirrors is metal....

pi3yeargrad · 10-05-2005, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boogers

The chrome part of our tow mirrors is metal....

no way...Ive scratched mine pretty deep and u can tell its plastic...

DaveS · 10-05-2005, 02:18 PM

Thump your mirrors with your knuckles and you can tell they are plastic.

*Boogers* · 10-05-2005, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pi3yeargrad

no way...Ive scratched mine pretty deep and u can tell its plastic...

I stand corrected.

DeTitan · 10-05-2005, 10:37 PM

It is my understanding that during the formation process a thin film of chrome stuff is placed in the mold and the plastic is then poured in behind or over it. This is the same process they use for making plastic with a pearl type finish etc. NOTE: I am not an expert in this area but remember reading something about it way back when I was working on a proposal.

GO_VOLS! · 10-06-2005, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeTitan

It is my understanding that during the formation process a thin film of chrome stuff is placed in the mold and the plastic is then poured in behind or over it.

Yep, think of it like a giant piece of scotch tape that's painted on 1 side then adhered to the plastic. The "tape" is run in GIANT rolls and shipped after being painted. It's then die cut to size, then placed into the mold for the back side of the mirror. The molten plastic is injected over the back side of the film and when cured and a few minutes later you got yourself a hellova side dish for your ****tail!