re-chroming

[Marku]

Putting the 450SE back together after repainting and came to refitting the chrome work. Most of it is pretty good but on looking at the boot rail, a casting that goes right across the edge of the boot holds the lock and across the rear lights, I thought it could do with brightening up. It wasn't too bad but there were a few spots of corrosion on the underside but the platers refused to do it. Said I would accept the best possible but no. Leaves me rather stuck as I don't want to refit it in its current state but I would think that the chances of a good replacement are slim. Can anything be done with these zinc alloy castings? Or even a plater that would re-chrome it.

 

[SH0X]

Hi Im not familiar with your trims but could you not get it polished up rather than re plated? and then maybe laqcuered? similar to how they diamond cut wheels? Even the raw polished metal would look great (but need regular polishing to maintain)

Just a thought? Ive heard of chrome effect paint aswell... probably not what youre after but some options out there I guess..

edit . Could you not repair these trims with epoxy?

 

[Martin 1]

Hi, that part is made of the evil Mazak, that stuff can be repaired and replated, but it's very specialist and expensive, google Mazak repair. The whole thing has to be de-plated, chrome and copper, then the corroded pits individually cleaned out, then filled with conductive solder, after that, thickly plated with copper, then chrome. It's certainly worth enquiring before bursting into tears, guess how I know ? I'd love to know how you get on. PS, it's too soft to use without plating and will turn black within days, evil stuff.

 

[Trickythemerc]

chromerestoration,co,uk should be able to sort that out for you .

 

[SH0X]

Flippin eck sounds way above my head . Get the old plastic dip out or matt black simoniz and truly de chrome it atleast thats what I thought when I first saw this post

 

[GeordieN]

Hydro dip places use a chrome paint. Basically it's water and a solution that uses the same stuff as used for mirrors. Place our way has done some classic car parts with very good results.
Hydromonkeys is the place our way on, they have a web page and FB.

 

[GeordieN]

Hydro dip places use a chrome paint. Basically it's water and a solution that uses the same stuff as used for mirrors. Place our way has done some classic car parts with very good results.
Hydromonkeys is the place our way on, they have a web page and FB.

 

[GeordieN]

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[Martin 1]

That's astonishing ! looks like a trick !

 

[GeordieN]

That's astonishing ! looks like a trick !

It's good isn't it, looks grey for a while then just turns to chrome. They can Tint the chrome too. They did Christmas stuff for Covent garden and done all the snow dogs for the charity's. And done a load of tint chrome trainers for Nike. Little back street unit and cracking lads.

 

[Marku]

Thanks for all the info. Tried aerosol although a good finish not quite "chrome". Looked at Hydromonkeys really expensive. Might tackle repair as there is some pitting I didn't know you could do it with solder.

 

[GeordieN]

Thanks for all the info. Tried aerosol although a good finish not quite "chrome". Looked at Hydromonkeys really expensive. Might tackle repair as there is some pitting I didn't know you could do it with solder.

Expensive as in kit or them to do it? These lads started business restoring 'vw buses so know the score. Although i havnt had anything chrome painted before, almost had my better half prosthetic leg shadow chromed but ended up getting dipped in candy skulls, her choice not mine