Model Boat Mayhem

Mess Deck: General Section => Model Boating => Topic started by: ukmike on February 01, 2020, 03:17:54 pm

Title: Reasonably priced Chrome Platers
Post by: ukmike on February 01, 2020, 03:17:54 pm

Hello all.


My nearest plating company can only do Nickel plating, I drove over there this morning, windscreen frame in hand, to see some samples of Nickel plated parts and it really doesn't stand up to Chrome.


I need the windscreen frame plated and he said it would be around probably be around £70, which I thought was rather expensive.


Does anyone know of any Chrome Platers that charge reasonable prices, well, more reasonable than £70 ?

Could post a photo with dimensions if it would help.


Mike.

Title: Re: Reasonably priced Chrome Platers
Post by: CGAux26 on February 01, 2020, 05:43:19 pm

There are chrome paints for air brushing, if you Google them.  Much cheaper than 70 pounds.  I bought some but I don't air brush and regular brushing failed.

Title: Re: Reasonably priced Chrome Platers
Post by: Colin Bishop on February 01, 2020, 05:58:02 pm

I recently bought a couple of Moltow Chrome markers which are effective.

https://www.molotow.com/en/applications/marker-applications/liquid-chrome

You might need a bit of practice. I got the 1mm and 4mm nib sizes which might do the job on a windscreen frame. If you Google Moltow chrome there are quite a lot of hits with modelling applications including You Tube videos.

I do rather think that genuine chrome plating will indeed be pretty expensive!

Colin

Title: Re: Reasonably priced Chrome Platers
Post by: coch y bonddu on February 01, 2020, 08:58:03 pm

 I can vouch for these pens as i use then on my scaletrix cars as Colin has said they take a bit of practise




Dave

Title: Re: Reasonably priced Chrome Platers
Post by: Subculture on February 02, 2020, 07:51:00 am

http://www.chromefix.co.uk/

Title: Re: Reasonably priced Chrome Platers
Post by: TomHugill on February 02, 2020, 08:32:16 am

Those pens are great but you need to get them a long time to cure and you need to clear coat them with alclad aquagloss. Other clears will diminish the effect and water will also if not sealed. Theres some good articles if you look online

Title: Re: Reasonably priced Chrome Platers
Post by: malcolmfrary on February 02, 2020, 09:53:21 am

What is generally thought of as "chrome" is actually nickel plating followed by a protective layer of chrome, which is thin enough to be transparent. 
A group of workmates a lot of years ago had a crib board made.  Dark wood plinth with a brass score plate, suitably drilled and scribed.  Asked it they wanted it to be chromed, they said "YES", and were surprised to get it back as very shiny brasss.  Never needed polishing, though.
The usual process is to give the item a layer of copper plating.  This provides a suitable surface for the nickel to stick to, which provides the white metallic colour.  The chrome then gives the shine and protection. 
Doing all that with one layer of paint is never going to be easy.

Title: Re: Reasonably priced Chrome Platers
Post by: ukmike on February 02, 2020, 12:18:14 pm

Thanks everyone for the replies so far.


It seems that most people use some sort of chrome effect paint, mainly for small parts,some with good results, some with not so good.
Have looked at the possibility of using the paint method, but due to the size of my windscreen and the finished quality that I'm looking for, I think the only way forward is by using the traditional chroming method.


There has been only one reply so far, ( thanks Subculture ), to my original question which I will follow it up tomorrow.
Given the size, and importance of my windscreen frame, I have decided to go with conventional chrome plating.


Just for information, the dimensions here are the dimensions of the offending frame and a couple of pictures.


Overall length 690mm, height at the centre 100mm, thickness of the metal 2mm x 7.5mm but 8.75mm for the central upright.


Mike.


 

Title: Re: Reasonably priced Chrome Platers
Post by: CGAux26 on February 02, 2020, 04:40:37 pm

Fancy metal work!  :-))  Is that copper with silver solder?

Title: Re: Reasonably priced Chrome Platers
Post by: ukmike on February 02, 2020, 05:30:20 pm

Quote from: CGAux26 on February 02, 2020, 04:40:37 pm

Fancy metal work!  :-))  Is that copper with silver solder?

Yes it is, Copper silver soldered and lead free solder for the odd bit of filling.


Mile. As

Title: Re: Reasonably priced Chrome Platers
Post by: Taranis on February 02, 2020, 05:45:14 pm

Lovely frame and it deserves chrome. I have recently started using this Tamiya TS-83 metallic silver. It doesn't tarnish when touched after drying so needs no lacquer over it. Not as shiny as chrome but it does for my small parts.


(https://photos.smugmug.com/Shannon/n-MfgVDR/MBD-Shannon-II/i-GkzZjcK/0/57e12af7/X3/B0F595A7-CC03-457A-A0BC-4CCB71B12C53-X3.jpg)

Title: Re: Reasonably priced Chrome Platers
Post by: Akira on February 02, 2020, 10:10:56 pm

Taranis, That looks to be a perfect stand in for stainless steel! Nice!

Title: Re: Reasonably priced Chrome Platers
Post by: Taranis on February 02, 2020, 10:14:01 pm

Expensive though  :((
Uk price £14.99 but £9.99 at Time Tunnel models
Plus recommended to apply on gloss black
For metal Tamiya FINE primer
So three coats is costly

Title: Re: Reasonably priced Chrome Platers
Post by: ChrisF on February 03, 2020, 01:08:34 pm

As said, deserves chrome. Chrome platers seem to be getting less and less due to the nasty chemicals used. Thing is, there is as much work in a smaller piece as in a big one.

On another forum Gild Silver Enamel from e.g. J Perkins was recommended and looks to do a lovely job and can be used on a wide range of materials. Looks to be the best "paint" so far and I will certainly be using it on my screens and windows etc. £19.99 is quite expensive but if it does the job it's worth it. And no primer required.

Chris

Title: Re: Reasonably priced Chrome Platers
Post by: ukmike on February 03, 2020, 01:43:17 pm

Thanks everyone for the input, much appreciated.


Have sent off to a couple of Platers for quotes for the Chroming. Will post the results when they arrive.


Meanwhile, will look at the J.Perkins offering, thanks for that Chris.


Mike,

Title: Re: Reasonably priced Chrome Platers
Post by: ukmike on February 03, 2020, 02:38:38 pm

Further to J.Perkins Gild chrome paint.


The finish looks good, if a little plastic looking on the website. I notice from the data sheet that the "Chrome" element is Aluminium powder.
It probably looks OK on small parts but my frame is quite large. Won't be risking it, could be a £20 mistake.


Here is a picture of my chromed exhausts and instrument bezels that I had done a while ago and that is the finish that I want.
Alas, the firm that I used can't be contacted, shame.!!


Mike.

Title: Re: Reasonably priced Chrome Platers
Post by: ukmike on February 03, 2020, 10:16:45 pm

Result  :-) :-) .


A Manchester company will do it for £35.00 plus delivery. Their website is excellent and very quick email responses.


Sending it tomorrow.


Mike

Title: Re: Reasonably priced Chrome Platers
Post by: ChrisF on February 04, 2020, 01:01:48 pm

That's more like it, as you say a result. Glad you're sorted.

Chris

Title: Re: Reasonably priced Chrome Platers
Post by: DaveM on February 04, 2020, 05:21:01 pm

Quote from: ukmike on February 03, 2020, 10:16:45 pm

Result  :-) :-) .
A Manchester company will do it for £35.00 plus delivery. Their website is excellent and very quick email responses.
Sending it tomorrow.
Mike

Any chance of a link to that website, Mike? I like to keep these things as Bookmarks because sooner or later I'll need stuff like this.

DaveM

Title: Re: Reasonably priced Chrome Platers
Post by: ukmike on February 04, 2020, 06:35:41 pm

Sorry Dave, should have included that in my last post, must have been overcome by the price !!

Here it is.... www.rschrome.co.uk (http://www.rschrome.co.uk)   It says that they are offline but ignore that as the site works perfectly

I will post a picture of the results when it comes back.

Mike.

Title: Re: Reasonably priced Chrome Platers
Post by: DaveM on February 04, 2020, 07:05:19 pm

Many thanks, Mike.
DaveM

Title: Re: Reasonably priced Chrome Platers
Post by: red181 on February 08, 2020, 06:51:32 pm

I used a company called chrome illusion, near St Helens, had to wait a bit for him to have a "bigger job" being done. The metal parts turned out real nice and have lasted the time, the plastic parts suffered from some water ingress


http://www.chromeillusion.com/

Title: Re: Reasonably priced Chrome Platers
Post by: ChrisF on February 09, 2020, 01:42:43 pm

Nice job. What metal did you use for the window frames?

My latest thinking is to draw them up, get them 3D printed and then paint them with the Gild Silver paint I referred to earlier.

Chris

Title: Re: Reasonably priced Chrome Platers
Post by: SJG001 on February 09, 2020, 04:16:21 pm

There are several companies which do home metal plating kits on Amazon. You can also paint plastic, etc items with a conductive paint and and electroplate them.


I am looking at using one of these for a small restoration project I am working on

Title: Re: Reasonably priced Chrome Platers
Post by: Geoff on February 11, 2020, 01:10:09 pm

There was an episode on "Wheeler Dealers" I caught and they found a firm that paints chrome which was significantly less expensive. I don't recall the name but you couldn't tell the difference. Maybe a further search may help.


Geoff

Title: Re: Reasonably priced Chrome Platers
Post by: ukmike on February 11, 2020, 02:00:16 pm

Quote from: Geoff on February 11, 2020, 01:10:09 pm

There was an episode on "Wheeler Dealers" I caught and they found a firm that paints chrome which was significantly less expensive. I don't recall the name but you couldn't tell the difference. Maybe a further search may help.


Geoff

Thanks Geoff.
I saw that episode and did try to find out the firm that they used, alas without success.


On another note, the carrier that I used to deliver the parcel have LOSSED IT, so I may have to make another one.  Gutted and angry at the same time !!!


Mike.

Title: Re: Reasonably priced Chrome Platers
Post by: red181 on February 23, 2020, 06:57:26 pm

Quote

Nice job. What metal did you use for the window frames?

The frames are plastic trim,  (u profile) just pushed over 3mm lexan, which is the screen. I heated it with a hair drier, and pushed it over a wood template when it was soft. I was after "proper" glazing, not thin plastic sheet!


After some time, water has ingressed behind the chrome paint, due to the prep of the plastic not being as good as it could have been, however the metal parts such as alloy and brass have remained perfect