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Spray on Chrome finish

Submitted by john_shorter on Sat, 25/05/2019
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Nortons - General

I have seen spray on chrome mentioned, several times, on these pages.  Am I correct in assuming this is a plastic, and, unsuitable for hot surfaces (e.g. silencers)?

Submitted by anthony_curzon on Sat, 25/05/2019

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I saw a programme on the TV that was I think called Counting Cars, that was bases in Las Vegas, and they had developed a paint that was just like a chrome finish. If it can be obtained in a rattle can, that would be a good idea, as chrome platers refuse to chrome used exhaust pipes and silencers.

Submitted by john_sunderland on Sat, 25/05/2019

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John, absolutely correct. The usual spay on chrome finish is a paint type of coating. Although some of these will produce a good chrome finish on plastics they are not suitable for hot areas such as exhausts as they will burn off quicker than snow melting in the desert, and, will not stand up to the weather or corrosion. Soft chrome is ok for decorative use only in my opinion.

There are spray on chrome processes available as an industrial repair but are generally only used to repair minor surface wear and scratches as it is normally soft chrome.

Exhausts etc are hard chrome applied over a prepared copper plated surface.  Chrome plated parts used in the automotive industry and other industries that are producing stuff that may be prone to the weather and subsequent corrosion is hard chrome.

I hope this answers your question.

John

 

Submitted by john_shorter on Sat, 25/05/2019

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Thanks John, that is what I expected.  There are a few firms that will 're-chrome silencers, I found one in Valencia last year.  I had my original peardrop ones done last year (cost around 70 Euros each).  Unfortunately, my battery vent tube dropped off, causing some acid damage.  Not too bad, at a casual glance, but, I know it's there!

Submitted by paul_dudill on Sat, 25/05/2019

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Just wondered if anyone had tried it on say a headlight for example. How does it look? Thanks Paul.

Submitted by tony_wood on Sun, 26/05/2019

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Hi . I tried spray on chrome (rattle can) but the finish was very poor. I prepared a piece of bare steel to a good bright finish then gave it two good coats of the spray. It produced more of a satin finish rather than a reflective finish. I left it for a week to make sure it was fully cured then tried to buff it to a shine but all that happened was that the finish came off on the cloth and I was left back at bare steel. I won’t be using it again.

Regards

Tony

Submitted by david_cooper on Sun, 26/05/2019

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The website of a firm called 'Chromespray.co.uk' gives full instructions for their process, and they sell DIY kits. Having read the instructions, it's put me right off the DIY approach! It actually deposits real silver as in a mirror, so needs two pack lacquer. So OK for tanks and cycle parts  but not exhausts by the look of it.

Submitted by paul_dudill on Sun, 26/05/2019

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Thanks for the replies, think I'll give it a miss.

 


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