Maya Ellison
Chrome plating plastics is a difficult task. It is possible to gold plate a chrome-plated logo or vice versa, and it is also possible to rebuild and make chrome shiny. The cost of chrome plating plastic varies depending on the size and type of item. For example, small chrome caps can be gold-plated for $25 each, while large chrome caps cost $90 each. Chrome plating all hand levers, foot pegs, peg brackets and heat shields on a sport bike costs $425. There are cheaper alternatives to chrome plating, such as vacuum metallizing with aluminium or using chrome look paint, which involves hand spraying with silver nitrate and reducer or microscopic aluminium flakes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost of chrome plating plastic | $25 for small chrome caps |
| $20 per letter for small chrome lettering | |
| $90 for large chrome caps | |
| $30 per foot for satin chrome moulding | |
| $425 for chrome plating all hand levers, foot pegs, peg brackets and heat shields on a sport bike | |
| Cost of vacuum metallizing plastic with aluminium | Very inexpensive in volume |
| Cost of "chrome look paint" | More expensive than vacuum metallizing for high volume parts |
What You'll Learn
Chrome plating prices vary depending on the size of the plastic item
The cost of chrome plating plastic also depends on the volume of items being plated. Vacuum metallizing plastic with aluminium is very inexpensive in high volumes, but it requires expensive equipment (around $1/2 million). Therefore, it may be more cost-effective to use "chrome look paint", which involves hand-spraying a shiny layer of silver nitrate and reducer or microscopic aluminium flakes. This process is more expensive for high-volume parts due to the labour involved, but it is less capital-intensive for lower volumes because paint spraying equipment is much cheaper than vacuum metallizing chambers.
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Vacuum metallizing is a cheaper alternative to chrome plating
Vacuum metallizing is a process where a thin layer of aluminium is applied to a plastic surface. This can be done very cheaply in volume, but the equipment required is very expensive. A similar finish can be achieved using "chrome look paint", which involves a 3-step process of base coat, shiny layer, and clear coat. However, this process is more expensive for high-volume parts due to the labour involved in hand spraying.
Chrome plating, on the other hand, is a more labour-intensive process, especially for one-off jobs. This is because the parts need to be processed individually, which increases the cost. For example, chrome plating all the hand levers, foot pegs, peg brackets, and heat shields on a sport bike costs $425. This price may also include the cost of stripping and de-plating, as well as any necessary wheel repairs and restoration.
Overall, vacuum metallizing is a cheaper alternative to chrome plating for high-volume parts. The process is less labour-intensive and can be done very cheaply per part, although the initial investment in equipment is high. For low-volume parts, "chrome look paint" may be a more cost-effective option, as the equipment required is less expensive.
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Chrome plating plastic is possible on car parts
One company, Atlas Chrome, offers to rebuild a chrome-plated logo on a plastic piece, or vice versa, for $25. They also offer to rebuild a matte finish to make it shiny for an unspecified price. They can also send your plastics out for vacuum metalizing, which is a thin layer of aluminium. This is a very inexpensive process for high volumes of parts, but it requires an expensive ($1/2 million) metallizing chamber.
Another company offers to chrome plate all hand levers, foot pegs, peg brackets and heat shields on sport bikes for $425, with 5% off for active military personnel.
A third alternative is "chrome look paint", which is a finish very similar to vacuum metallizing, with the same 3-step process of base coat, shiny layer, and clear coat. However, this is more expensive for high-volume parts because of the labour of hand spraying.
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Gold plating is also an option
For small items such as caps or lettering, gold plating can cost around $20 to $25 per piece. Larger items, such as chrome caps, can cost up to $90 for gold plating.
Gold plating is a more expensive process than chrome plating, as gold is a precious metal with a higher value. However, gold plating can provide a more luxurious and elegant finish, making it a popular choice for decorative items or high-end products.
It's important to note that gold plating may not be suitable for all plastic surfaces. A conductive surface is required for gold plating to be effective, and it may not be possible to plate certain types of plastic. In some cases, a base layer of chrome or another metal may need to be applied first to create a conductive surface for the gold plating to adhere to.
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Chrome plating can be done on a range of items, from antiques to household items
Some companies offer special deals on chrome plating, such as 5% off for active military personnel. It is also possible to chrome plate specific parts of items, such as hand levers, foot pegs, and peg brackets, which can cost around $425. The cost of chrome plating plastic can vary depending on the specific process used, the volume of items, and the complexity of the item's shape and size.
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Frequently asked questions
The cost of chroming plastic depends on the size of the item and the company doing the work. For example, small chrome caps cost $25 each, while large chrome caps cost $90 each.
The cost of chroming plastic can be affected by the size of the item, the complexity of the design, and the company doing the work.
Yes, it is possible to chrome plastic at home using a process called vacuum metallizing. However, this requires expensive equipment (around $1/2 million).
Yes, there are alternatives to chroming plastic, such as "chrome look paint", which can be hand-sprayed to achieve a similar finish.
It is generally cheaper to chrome plastic in high volumes, as the cost of labour is spread out over more items. However, for low volumes, it may be more cost-effective to use paint spraying equipment, which is less expensive than vacuum metallizing chambers.
