Chrome Plating Plastic ?

ZedzDead

Club Member
Its certainly what I'm talking about and this is one of the companies that I'm waiting for a reply from.
 

richiep

Club Member
For 240Z-style, you can buy replacement trim new that I suspect would be cheaper and far less hassle than getting originals replated. Not sure about 260/280/S31 style though. My own experience with replating plastic is that it is ineffective. The root problem is the old, dirty plastic substrate. Adhesion is variable. Might look good to start with, less so when it starts lifting off. That's when you can find somewhere willing to do it for private customers on a one-off basis, which is next to impossible.

Chrome paint finishes have progressed significantly in recent years and shouldn't be excluded as an option. Gloss black base, chrome tint, modern 2k lacquer. For UK light and heat conditions that should give a good finish if the base material is cleaned and prepared properly.
 

ZedzDead

Club Member
Haven't come across any new reproduction surrounds and suspect if OEM ones were available they'd be £1000.00's ! richiep.

Nothings discounted so far, although options are looking a little limited at the moment based on the lack of interest from all but one company contacted.
 

richiep

Club Member
240Z trim strips:
https://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/33-1169
Z Car Depot has them listed too but are out of stock at present. Can also be found on Yahoo Auctions Japan usually.
Obviously, the new reproduction rear light sets available from assorted vendors come with them, so ideal if one was converting an ex-US car to UK/Euro/JDM spec.

260/280Z bezels - someone really needs to start reproducing those! They stand out as a part crying out for some new supply.
 

Geoff-R

Club Member
Wonder if lockdown has had an effect on these places not being able to operate (lack of demand etc). Can't seem to find anything this side of the border really, hopefully some of these companies get back to you soon as I think these trims really need the job doing correctly on them, I just don't think it would be doing a restoration justice to have to wrap them or settle on painting them in a different colour.
 

ZedzDead

Club Member
Wonder if lockdown has had an effect on these places not being able to operate (lack of demand etc). Can't seem to find anything this side of the border really, hopefully some of these companies get back to you soon as I think these trims really need the job doing correctly on them, I just don't think it would be doing a restoration justice to have to wrap them or settle on painting them in a different colour.

Hopefully things will return to some sort of normality next year Geoff
 

candy red

Club Member
https://www.dual-metallising.co.uk/chrome-effect-on-plastic/

Spoke to a guy at this company a few years ago he was willing to have a look at what was required unfortunately he has now sold the company.But I didn't know that until I rang the number I had stored today.
Spoke to another guy he thinks theres a possibility they might do the rear light bezels but they don't do 1 offs ,mentioned that I'm in a car club and theres quite a few 0f us need these doing but we need to get a list and numbers :)

He did say it wasn't down to him to say yes or no :( But he gave me the name of the lady in charge who has took over the company told me to ring her on Monday we can hope:) Not looking to take over this thread just try to help;)

Please ad to list so i can tell them how many the more the better :thumbs:


Candyred x 2 sets
 

Dale

Club Member
Me too. Possibly two sets if it’s needed to help.

I wonder if casting new ones in metal to be actually chromed would be feasible?
 

ZedzDead

Club Member
Had an email back from Simon at Chrome Spray ( thanks for the link Peter ) and he's quoted £60.00 each for the surrounds.

I'm aware this isn't the same process as traditional chrome plating we're all looking for but certainly worth consideration if all else fails.
 
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