Anyone ever have anything powder coated in Chrome? Does it look like real chrome? It's alot cheaper thats for sure.
Is it cheaper? Yes. Does it look like chrome? No. I've heard people drone on and on about how their powder coater is the best and how their chrome looks really close, but the shit I've seen looks like it's painted with chrome paint, at best. The other thing to consider is that once it's been powdercoated, and now you want to strip it all off and have it chromed for real because the powdercoat looks like dog shit, it's a huge job to get it stripped to the point that you can plate the part. At the chrome shop I used to work at we occasionally had to strip powdercoat off to have something chromed and we charged a good deal extra for it since the powdercoat is a bastard to strip. If anyone would like to challenge me that powdercoat chrome doesn't look like a bag of smashed assholes, feel free to post up a picture of a chrome powdercoated piece next to a properly rechromed piece so we can see. I would love to be proven wrong.
I did my valley cover and timing cover with it, trying to save a few bucks. Now I'm saving $ for new valley and timing covers. Yes, it looks exactly like chrome spray paint.
I worked in a powdercoating plant for a couple years. You can't beat powdercoating for powdercoating. Just like you can't beat chrome for chrome. There is no substitute.
I had all the suspension componets chrome powder coated on my 37 Willys. Not quite chrome looking, but it looks all the world of polished aluminum. I'm happy with most of what I had done. They did not let the reaend housing cure properly, and it has started to get a spotty look to it, but the rest looks good. All depens on who does it, and what products they use etc.
I have done some powder coating, and it takes ALOT of care and practice to get it right. I have watched a buddy put layers of clear on top of the chrome powder coat and then buff it out. It turned out really nice. Not chrome but a nice substitute. I will look for the picture I took.
My bag of smashed assholes. I wouldn't use it for bumpers but I like it for detail stuff like brackets etc. This was done in a house hold oven in my garage using the Eastwood stuff. The local chrome shop wanted 250 each to do these. I'm starting to like them better.
I run a powdercoating gig. Two things. First, the guy with the P/C bumpers that needed stripped...Just run a torch over the bumper and the powdercoating will give up the ghost. Then, it blasts right off like butter. All you have to do is wave it back and forth and the powder will char and soften. Second, all chrome powder must have a coat of clear powder on it for durability. Like the valve covers above, they look good now, but if they aren't cleared, they will deteriorate quickly. I'd say chrome powdercoat looks most like Jet-Hot header coating. Not like chrome.
Really, The Link I posted is where Edelbrock gets "Permastar"-I have one those Intake Manifolds, and they do look like Chrome-
its way cheaper than real chrome, but doesn't have the luster, The best and brightest powder chrome by far is the Caswell brand "Extreme Chrome" I have used every brand on the market and the Caswell is the only brand that allows for a clear coat. The chrome is not very weather durable and will water spot unless you clear coat it, I use a dupont high gloss, fuel resistant powered clear and the end result is like a highly polished aluminum look. There is no other in the industry that reflects like it, all the other brands are bright also, but when you hit the clear on them, they end up looking like a bright silver.
done, I never claimed it was as bright as true electrolytical chrome, there is just no comparison, but for less than 1/4 of the cost, either pay to get real chrome or go w/ powder. btw, none of my powder work looks like smashed assholes, even the chrome Its end result is like a highly polished aluminum, thats at best and the luster depends on bake time, thickness and also the clear and application of it. I have assloads of hours playing with all the different chromes offered, it is what it is, but if you pick the right product and the right place, all will be good for the small amount paid no doubt.
i receved a price sheet from permaster LOLOL Alternator Case & Fan: $145.00 set plus S&H (Most)<O></O> Blower Assembly: $950.00 set plus S&H (Most) <O></O> Coil Covers: $125.00 pair plus S&H (Most)<O></O> Intake Manifolds, Small Block: $250.00 each plus S&H. (Most)<O></O> Intake Manifolds, Big Block: $300.00 each plus S&H. (Call for size Oil Pan: $165.00 each plus S&H (Most)<O></O> Timing Cover: $250.00 plus S&H (Most)<O></O> Valve Covers, Once Piece: $96.00 each plus S&H (Most)<O></O> Valve Covers, Two Piece: $125.00 each plus S&H (Most)<O></O>
WOW! That is expensive-I was trying to decide how much it would cost to have those pieces done in real Chrome-I know someone posted in this Thread that to chrome Valve Covers was $250 each, so while I think it's kinda high (especially the Blower), maybe it's not too bad?
I've been thinking about using these types of products and doing some research. Nothing I've seen so far looks good enough (to me) to use. I was bouncing around the net and ran across this site, any experience, anyone? http://www.alsacorp.com/products/mirrachrome/mirrachrome.htm
As a powdercoater,and a good one. I can assure that powder chrome looks nothing like the real thing. There is a liquid painting process, I think it is some kind of a franhise. It is the closest to the chrome plating look I have seen. Some guy in Annapolis is doing it. Nothing looks like real chrome, the problem is,at least around here,its hard to get a good plating job.I don't know how many times peaple have had me powdercoat parts because the plater could not get them right.
Glad I saw this thread . I have an old set of Rocket 5 spoke mags I was gonna have done for the 55 but it looks like i'd be better off painting and clearing the things. I sent them to a "friend" of mine over a year ago and haven't seen them since cause they still aren't done. Guess I'll just take them back and go another route
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