ok.. I looked real quick last night and only found one that I know for sure is good. And if memory serves correctly.. I've used it without clear coats several times and it holds up decent on the exterior which may be a bonus. It's called "The original Chrome" by Nybco. http://inventoryco-op.com/inventory/product/1539 Not sure if they even make it anymore though(yeah.. that makes me feel even older).. so I will look through my paint shops fire cabinets for a larger supply and alternatives(I've tried a lot of them through the years). I'm pretty sure I have a partial case left and will share if anyone wants to pay the few bucks shipping to try it out. I also need to look through several boxes of modeling supplies since there are some variations of chrome-look products hidden away there too.
Great information, guys! I will definitely give this a shot. My chrome has almost completely peeled off of the door panels and the rear window trim looks like crap. I have been eyeballing some of the finishes on the newer wheels especially the darker(than chrome) reflective paints since the price on rechroming has skyrocketed. groberts101, I spoke to our wheel repair guy about painting the bumpers and other chrome with the same finish as on the aforementioned wheels and he didn't think he could make it look right on that large scale(bumpers). I don't know if it's the process or his abilities that are the limitation, do you think the process you mentioned would work for the bumpers and other exterior trim and have a smooth semi-reflective finish that would look acceptable?
Personally, I wouldn't do it. But to be honest.. I don't really keep up on the newest auto coatings so I'm not really sure what's out there right now. There is always the house of color stuff($$$).. called "Kosmic Krome". Never wortked with that particular product before.. but I have seen it at car shows and it does look especially nice on thinner stripes and small parts. Larger parts look more like polished aluminum from a color standpoint and as you'd expect.. don't have the clarity or reflectivity that true chrome does. I almost did my work vans stripes and lettering with it.. but went with chrome vinyl instead since it was much cheaper and simpler to get done. Then I do know there is another system called mekki that can be applied to look almost exactly like chrome. Although, I would have to guess that durability would not be the greatest for exterior surfaces that see road debri like a front bumper would be exposed to. Maybe check around to see who does that stuff in the states? Looks promising and I will be checking into it later on when I get down to the details with my build.
I pulled the chrome off my passenger door panel on my stallion about 10 years ago. Drivers side is still decent after all these years. Thanks for this great info. Going to correct my bad side lol.
I know this is an older thread but I need to know how to pull the small chrome (really plastic) off of the door panels. Is it simply glued on? Dan, does it look okay when the chrome is removed? It doesn't damage the panel material? Not used to the new look!
Since Dan doesn't come on here much, I think he just pealed the chrome off, and left the plastic. The chrome is kinda like a thin plastic film.
Thank you! And yes, the actual plastic strip that is chromed is a part of the whole assembly and does not come off at all, but the chroming is easy enough to peel off.
how about using the chrome vinyl instead? I was considering doing a fiberglass bumper with this stuff.. http://www.aliexpress.com/item/1-pc...h-bubble-free-chrome-car-wrap/1656854523.html