Chrome, chrome, more chrome

[TexasTater]

Hey y’all! I bought a new heritage edition Sasquatch bronco this week. It nods to the classics in a lot of different ways. However if I wanted big black and plastic, I would look in my ex-wife’s nightstand. Please help me find a Chromer in the DFW or surrounding areas. Especially one that can do metalizing on plastic. Have checkcard, will travel. I already put the sheepskin seat covers on!

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[Doc TOC]

You are looking for a place that does "Plating on Plastic", often referred to as Chrome POP. That is a very specialized process. Etching, prep layer, pre-plate layer, and several chrome layers. Requires chemical baths, specialized process equipment, and toxic/hazardous waste handling procedures. Usually not offered on a piece-part basis.

Try Industrial Plating Company (817) 332-2252 or Metroplex Custom Chrome (972) 399-0378. They do custom chroming on metal parts. They may be able to refer you to a local industrial processor willing to do a one-off.

Advanced Plating (615) 225-6900 in Nashville, TN and Artcraft Plating & Finishing (818) 845-9292 in Burbank, CA do chrome POP. You can ship your parts to them.

There is also chrome deposition spray technology. That uses a a heat and electronic vapor deposition method to lay down the chrome. The results on plastic depends highly on the surface finish quality of the plastic. Every nook and cranny shows. There is a lot of prep to get the plastic ready, particularly on ABS. Usually requires an overlay film to close the pores. It's a thin metallic chrome finish which is moderately durable.

You may have your best luck with a shop that does Spectrachrome/Cosmichrome spray finishes. These produce a chrome-look mirror finish on plastic. NCAA Oregon Ducks used Spectrachrome on their helmets for the 2012 Rose Bowl. There are several companies that do it in the DFW area. Just google them. Keep in mind this is a thin film technology, which will not hold up well long term in off-roading. But for show, it is a good, least expensive alternative.

Don't forget to come back and show us what you finally decided to do. You will probably inspire a lot of forum user that want to add retro chrome to their Bronco.

I vote for fender flares and moon hub caps in chrome.

 

[TexasTater]

You are looking for a place that does "Plating on Plastic", often referred to as Chrome POP. That is a very specialized process. Etching, prep layer, pre-plate layer, and several chrome layers. Requires chemical baths, specialized process equipment, and toxic/hazardous waste handling procedures. Usually not offered on a piece-part basis.

Try Industrial Plating Company (817) 332-2252 or Metroplex Custom Chrome (972) 399-0378. They do custom chroming on metal parts. They may be able to refer you to a local industrial processor willing to do a one-off.

Advanced Plating (615) 225-6900 in Nashville, TN and Artcraft Plating & Finishing (818) 845-9292 in Burbank, CA do chrome POP. You can ship your parts to them.

There is also chrome deposition spray technology. That uses a a heat and electronic vapor deposition method to lay down the chrome. The results on plastic depends highly on the surface finish quality of the plastic. Every nook and cranny shows. There is a lot of prep to get the plastic ready, particularly on ABS. Usually requires an overlay film to close the pores. It's a thin metallic chrome finish which is moderately durable.

You may have your best luck with a shop that does Spectrachrome/Cosmichrome spray finishes. These produce a chrome-look mirror finish on plastic. NCAA Oregon Ducks used Spectrachrome on their helmets for the 2012 Rose Bowl. There are several companies that do it in the DFW area. Just google them. Keep in mind this is a thin film technology, which will not hold up well long term in off-roading. But for show, it is a good, least expensive alternative.

Don't forget to come back and show us what you finally decided to do. You will probably inspire a lot of forum user that want to add retro chrome to their Bronco.

I vote for fender flares and moon hub caps in chrome.

That is above and beyond the best response I’ve ever gotten to a question on any forum!
I also forgot to add that I’m working with my company to get a set of diamond plate running boards made for it lol

 

[Sparkie]

I wonder if getting the bumpers wrapped in "chrome" would get that "1970s look" that OP is seeking.
I know typical car wraps only last 2 to 3 years, but based on @Doc TOC 's detailed research, nothing else seems to last long on modern plastic bumper anyway.
Maybe the "chrome wrap" would be less toxic and possibly less expensive.

Has anyone taken their bumpers off and brought them to a shop to be wrapped?

 

[NC_Oak]

if you're considering the bumpers, a steel aftermarket bumper could be legitimately chromed. My barnes bumper came unfinished / raw steel. Likely others out there too.

 

[bastardsonofelvis]

I tried to have the plastic grill off my 75 Scout “chromed”. It looked ok to begin with but in short order looked like hell. Total waste of money.

My recommendation would be to get body paint matched fenders and find aftermarket steel bumpers to chrome plate if that’s your thing.

 

[bodie_38]

Reproduction chrome 1G bumpers are available and not too expensive if they can be attached. Probably need to fab mounting points. I'd love to see it with chrome bumpers and white flares (see avatar).

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