Plastic chrome refinishing

[THOR]

Anybody ever use any type of restoration product/coating to brighten up the finish on the plastic chrome trim accents that sometimes get dull in the interiors of our GTOs?
I’m specifically referring to the gauge bezels, trim pieces for headrests, etc?
I have heard that people send their dash pieces to places that restore these also.
Some of these places may use a process called vacuum metalizing.
If anybody has used any of these services, I’m interested in learning about it.
Shine on ;D

[GPModJ]

I'm interested in learning whether you can treat the plastic too.

I'm also interested in what can be done to treat fiberglass to look like chrome. My Grand Prix has a bumper that weighs about 2,000 lbs and I've been toying with the idea of replacing it with a fiberglass repro. I have a spare bumper and would like to try making the mold from it and doing the fabrication myself. I don't want to paint the bumper the same colour as the car though.

Anyone have suggestions?

[MikeS]

Bruce, get ahold of Dad at the next meeting. He sent some pieces off of his Ranchero to an outfit he found in Hemmings that did an excellent job. He was very pleased with the results.

[THOR]

Will Do.
Thanks Mike!

[LonnieS]

Gonna see if I can find those pics myself - add them here then move the topic to automotive help.

[THOR]

Thx Webslinger Lonnie. In the meanwhile, I ordered some ALMOST CHROME paint pens from Eastwood for a bit o' touch up here and there. I'd like to know about the places that work on the bezels and stuff too though.

[Rick]

Bruce,

Let me know about those pens.....I need to send my dash/gauges in, but have not yet...but if they pens are almost like chrome, that would get me by for another season or so.

[theJUDGE]

Indeed,
I would like to check out the pens, as the bezels on DA JUDGE are hurtin'

[THOR]

Am awaiting delivery of the magic pens, will let ya know when I have a chance to try them out :)

[THOR]

Here's info for GPMod about your bumper.
I have a good buddy that is a fiberglass and carbon fiber structure specialist. He told me that if you are trying to make a fiberglass bumper look like chrome, your best chance is to consider going with a service that does vacuum metalizing.
Generally speaking, these types of operations have a procedure via which they "charge" the plastic or fiberglass, it's sorta like the static cling we sometimes find on our NW Legends T-shirts when they get out of the clothes dryer.
This, along with the vacuum process allows the plastic chrome type of finish to truly adhere to the part. Of course, this is best verified by the pros that do it, and you could try on a smallish piece of fiberglass before having a large piece like a bumper done. There are a few places that do this. You might try typing "vacuum metalizing" in at yahoo.com or google.com. I suggest keeping quotation marks on the search too. Good luck. Keep us posted if you try this out.

[GPModJ]

Hey, thanks a lot! I may get a chance to try it out this year. Although I don't really want to paint the car so soon after installing a new engine (I'd rather paint first), I may have an opportunity to repaint & the bumpers, of course will come off. While they're off, I've got a chance to do the bumper molds myself.

[THOR]

Sure, no prob!
Hey, here is an idea...For interior pieces (and exterior), seems like there are a few of us that could use the plastic re-chroming. Maybe we can get in touch with one of these places to give us a discount....because.....well because we're Legends for hecksake! ;D
We got a line on cool wheel deals, Year One extends a club member discount, why not the vacuum metalizer folks too?

[MikeS]

Bruce, Thinking back to when I was playing with smaller cars, is this what happens with model kits when you get that one group of parts thats all chromed - rear view mirrors, bumpers, rims, etc... It would seem that what ever is being done to those parts would work on a "slightly" bigger bumper.

[Flyingtiger]

For interior chrome plastic, I've had good luck using chrome paint and a product called Rub-n- Buff, both of which can be found in hobby shops.

[67DropTop455]

You may want to try this place for metali paints, chrome paints etc... best I've found yet! Looks pretty damn nice! Take a look. Hope to get some and try it myself soon....
http://www.alclad2.com/index2.html

Brett - 67 Drop Top 455!

[THOR]

I must agree that this stuff looks a lot like chrome !
More so than those chrome pens I have gotten from Eastman.
To get it on those thin bezels around the rally gauges would likely be difficult for me. I practically need a surgeon to get eye drops in :P
Thanks. I think I may send the part to the vacuum metalizer folks.

[GPModJ]

I did get in touch with a company that does vacuum metalizing in Oregon; however, they told me they do only small items. Bumpers & other large stuff is too big for their equipment.

There's a company in Toronto that does it too. I'm going to see if they can do the big stuff before I try using a paint finish.

[Rick]

I just received a sample from a vendor rep of a new Sanford Sharpie pen - Metallic Silver. I tried it on some black plastic and it covers fairly well, it is a nice bright silver.....but not chrome by anymeans. It might work in a pinch, or the paints mentioned earlier look like a solution. I might give the pen a try, I intend on getting the gauges and dash all redone sometime in the future.....so I don't think I can screw things up too bad.

[canonbkr]

Has anyone actually purchased the metallic paints? I scoured their web site and could find no prices anywhere? Anyone know the costs?

[Flyingtiger]

Rick and Bruce, if you would like, come on down to my place and I'll help you "paint" your small details and bezels. I have the equip. including an airbrush, to do small detail work, and would be happy to help.

[Rick]

Thanks for the help offer......you might be hearing from me...or I'll just show up for breakfast.

[Flyingtiger]

The door is always open, and the beer is always cold! 8)

[Rick]

You really get around.....I called and left a message with Lara tonight. keep that beer cold for me.