It is a whole bunch cheaper than re-chroming....anyone tried it? Advanced Plating wants $1500 for each bumper, I can get them powdercoated chrome for $300 each...
Ask to see a sample of a heavy metal piece that has been coated before handing over your bumpers. I have used a chrome powder on some pieces of extruded aluminum and it looked real nice, but not exactly like good-old shiny chrome. Plus, ask them if they have to add a powder clear on top of the chrome powder. The powder I used had about a 94 gloss, but it had to be cleared or every fingerprint showed and I recall it was not UV resistant without the clear.
I had some brackets done with the chrome powdercoat. Like chopolds said, it is shiny but doesn't look exactly like chrome. It looks very similar to the Edelbrock Endurashine finish. It has a grayish tone to it.
Chrome is Chrome. Everything else is not. You get what you pay for. Take your beating up front and get the real stuff.
What Chaz said...Im paying $1500 to get my garnish moldings chromed.... Sometimes you have to bite the bullet.
powder coat chrome is as close to real chrome plating as tweed is to mohair, it's apples and oranges...
The powdercoated chrome MUST be covered with clear, otherwise the UV rays will dull it in a matter of weeks...chrome is chrome, but the powdercoated stuff does have its place...I have some engine brackets powdercoated with the chrome stuff and it looks good on the engine... R-
The new stuff is pretty cool. I don't think I would like it for bumpers or grills. I'm still on the learning curve but this VC came out reasonably well for my standards. This is the "shiny chrome" that Eastwood now sells. You can see the reflection. I actually liked the old "almost chrome" for the look that it gave. More of a polished aluminum look or the ceramic header coating look. This stuff is great for small parts like linkage and coil brackets etc. It's the best stuff I've ever seen. Some of you perfectionists will scoff but it's pretty damn good especially if cost is a factor. On an engine in a car with fenders I don't believe you could tell that they are not real chrome. We get our bumpers from Tri City plating in Tenn. 375.00 exchange I believe for most of them. I'll continue to use them and save this stuff for accessories etc. We drove over to Delaware yesterday to a chrome shop that was supposed to have excellent prices as quoted by a friend that used them. The exact same VC as above was quoted at 250.00...EACH!!! Needless to say we did not leave them. This stuff does not have to be clear coated like the stuff of a few years ago...(almost chrome) It ain't perfect but it is way better than what they used to have. A picture doesn't do it justice but the old stuff is on the top one and the new stuff is on the bottom. This is the Eastwood stuff done by me a non professional. It ain't perfect but only the perfectionists will wag their finger at you. But I want real chrome on my bumpers. I think I can actually do better. I get better results each time I do it. It's like anything else you have to get the feel for it. I don't think I used enough at first and got a pebbly surface. I'm going to do some aluminum hub caps and I'll let you know how good they turn out.
I used "Almost Chrome" powder on my front axle and other suspension parts... LOOKS COOL like a semi polished aluminum it's has a shine but no reflection!!! Chrome is always the coolest!!! I like it on my suspension but it just depends on the look you want... Remember, if you like it that's all that matters!
I'm with the rest of these guys. I had some small parts powdercoated chrome and there is a big difference in looks over traditional chrome. What are your bumpers off of? $1500 seems pricey for each. I had both front and rear done on my '57 Ranchero with overriders by Leonards Plating in Nitro WV and it was only $800 for the whole shooting match. And they look as good as any I have seen.
I have found the same. Far from chrome. I use it to match aluminum but polished aluminum is shinier. The stuff I have is comparable to aluminum spray paint but stands up better. I also have to cover it with clear. Attached is a picture of a water heater cover with the powder coating vs. polished aluminum on a camper. Neal
I think that the powder coat chrome is not close to the real deal at all. But, there is a guy in Pa. that does chrome coating. It looks just like chrome, it's the closest thing I've every seen without being actual chrome. And it's better priced than chrome. The name of the company is Coat of Chrome, and the number is 570-656-5001. The website is coatofchrome.com.
Advanced is expensive but beautiful. If you search around you should find a shop that will chrome them for 300-400 a piece. It won't be show quality, but better lookin than powdercoat. Try straightening and polishing your bumpers, then take them to a shop. They might give you a break...
i saw some of the earlier stuff on a 40 chevy grill it looked more like buffed aluminum than chrome ,
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