GOLD DIP FOR PLATING CHROME PARTS

[cyclepsych0]

this is in regards to a comment i left about changing chrome parts to gold in an earlier forum.

http://tamiyaclub.com/CS/forums/thread/145599.aspx

i figured i'd start a new topic since this wasn't really related to shodog's original question.

anyhow, i tried a local trophy shop for the gold dip and he had some of the exact stuff i used to use. however, i learned that it is made by the company that also makes the trophy figures and it only adheres well to their products. the guy said he try one of my wheels for free, but couldn't promise a successful result. long story short.......i chanced it and was unsuccessful. it didn't stick well and just made my new chrome wheel look like a used 'rusty' piece 'o junk. i was able to salvage it back to life with some nail polish remover.

so i guess we could all forget i mentioned it and i'm still open to anyone's ideas on how to change chrome plated plastic parts to gold (like the finish on stock monster beetle wheels).

[rroodd]

I looked into getting some bare plastic rims "Gold Chromed"  a while back, and found out that the process used to coat bare plastic (ie. unpainted/ unchromed plastic) is called 'Vacuum Metalizing', and involves the parts being put inside a vacuum chamber, while the chrome is sprayed into the chamber, and coats the parts. (This is how they are done by Tamiya, which is why you can sometimes see the chrome 'overspray' on the back side of various parts, sprues, rims, etc).

Not too sure about any methods used to coat an existing layer of chrome though......

 I really haven't seen ANY of the "Chrome Spray Paints" (in an aerosol can) that give a true chrome effect finish. (some people might say they get an awesome finish, but it's still nowhere like real chrome.

Rod.

[DeeMiller]

I hope to have more info and pics of a fully gold plated body and rims in the next couple of weeks.

It is possible, don't worry.[]

Can't tell you more at this point.

 

Grtz Dee.

[pleiku68]

Seeing as I have been in the plating supply business for over 40 years i will give you some information..

Most of the Tamiya stuff is, as previously mentioned, vacuume metalized not electoplated..The Vacuume process will allow non conductors to be covered with a very thin coating of a metal around 2 millionths of an inch....Like the Monster Beetle wheels..This kind of plate is almost impossibe to plate over because an organic coating is on top of the vacuume metalizing to prevent wear and tarnish.....

Chrome over nickel like on a Toaster for example can be replated but the Chrome must be removed with Hydochloric acid exposing the nickel..then gold or something can be applied...

I do a lot of Gold and Rhodium plating on my own cars..Check out my showroom...The SRB's that I plate have three different metals..Aluminum, Pot Metal and Stainless Steel...Each metal has to be processed differently...Usually twenty different step before the final finish....Regards Jerry

Oh, I hate the word DIP.....