Electroplating plastic
Discussion
Dear Simond001,
in a previous job I looked at a plastic bezel for a car clock that appeared as chrome plated, my memory is somewhat hazy so hopefully someone more up to date will correct me.
The short answer is yes you can plate plastic but...
...for it to last the plastic needs to be of a certain kind (ABS or an alloy majoring in ABS?).
I think the process is to treate the surface to ensure it is rough-ish so that what you're about to do sticks - a bit like sanding before painting.
Then the item is plated chemically with something conductive as plastic is an insulator.
Then there's an electroplating process depositing the metal.
Of course whether there's a shop that offers this sort of service to individuals is another matter. Google or Yell is your friend,
regards,
Jet
in a previous job I looked at a plastic bezel for a car clock that appeared as chrome plated, my memory is somewhat hazy so hopefully someone more up to date will correct me.
The short answer is yes you can plate plastic but...
...for it to last the plastic needs to be of a certain kind (ABS or an alloy majoring in ABS?).
I think the process is to treate the surface to ensure it is rough-ish so that what you're about to do sticks - a bit like sanding before painting.
Then the item is plated chemically with something conductive as plastic is an insulator.
Then there's an electroplating process depositing the metal.
Of course whether there's a shop that offers this sort of service to individuals is another matter. Google or Yell is your friend,
regards,
Jet
jet_noise said:
Dear Simond001,
in a previous job I looked at a plastic bezel for a car clock that appeared as chrome plated, my memory is somewhat hazy so hopefully someone more up to date will correct me.
The short answer is yes you can plate plastic but...
...for it to last the plastic needs to be of a certain kind (ABS or an alloy majoring in ABS?).
I think the process is to treate the surface to ensure it is rough-ish so that what you're about to do sticks - a bit like sanding before painting.
Then the item is plated chemically with something conductive as plastic is an insulator.
Then there's an electroplating process depositing the metal.
Of course whether there's a shop that offers this sort of service to individuals is another matter. Google or Yell is your friend,
regards,
Jet
Appreciate the reply, you seem to have the same thoughts on it as me, but I cant find anyone to do it.in a previous job I looked at a plastic bezel for a car clock that appeared as chrome plated, my memory is somewhat hazy so hopefully someone more up to date will correct me.
The short answer is yes you can plate plastic but...
...for it to last the plastic needs to be of a certain kind (ABS or an alloy majoring in ABS?).
I think the process is to treate the surface to ensure it is rough-ish so that what you're about to do sticks - a bit like sanding before painting.
Then the item is plated chemically with something conductive as plastic is an insulator.
Then there's an electroplating process depositing the metal.
Of course whether there's a shop that offers this sort of service to individuals is another matter. Google or Yell is your friend,
regards,
Jet
Tamiya do plate (i believe) some of their chassis for the M03 mini, I just want to do it in a different colour (prize for mini world cup!)
davido140 said:
maybe these will do it for you? http://www.dmsplastics.co.uk/eplating_services.htm... or http://www.dual-metallising.co.uk/services.htm
Edited by duff-man on Thursday 23 April 16:14
It's a specialised process that few regular plating shops can do. The other poster who said you have to treat the material first is correct. ABS is the usual material and it is etched, electroless nickel coated, then the usual copper/nickel/chrome process. It always looks cheap in my view, and is a poor substitute for a metal part plated. It doesn't really adhere in the same way as on metal and appears like an encapsulation rather than a proper coating. Thermal cycling - freezing, heating, freezing etc. - can crack it and it then tends to fall off. I must admit to not having worked on the process for many years but I can't see how it can be much better than it was then.
ThatPhilBrettGuy said:
Does the finish have to stand any handling or is it just for show? If it's just for show gold leaf isn't very expensive, and that'd work.
ideally it wont flake off at the first contact, but it doesnt have to be a teflon hard finish.Vacuum metalising seems to be another option?
Talk to the "mad proffessor" who owns this outfithe will plate anything, even biscuits. Not cheap mind £300 minimun charge. You may be able to get him to add it to another batch. The stuff he does is mind blowing. And he just happens to work from the HOGs back brewery yard, so you could get a beer as well.
Morganic Metal Ltd Electroplaters & Metal Finishers
Tel: 01252 783900| Unit 7, Manor Farm Business Centre, The Street, Tongham, Farnham, Surrey GU10 1DE
Morganic Metal Ltd Electroplaters & Metal Finishers
Tel: 01252 783900| Unit 7, Manor Farm Business Centre, The Street, Tongham, Farnham, Surrey GU10 1DE
Red Firecracker said:
Alclad is good, but can't be handled or it comes off. It isn't very durable and is better for show models rather than functional ones. You can't lacquer it either for protection, as it goes dull and matte.Simond001 said:
The item (a tamiya mini chassis) has a value of £8.99
i cant spend £300 making it look special as it is going to be given away as a prize, we just wanted it to look a bit special.
I really want to spend £30 - £50 tops on this.
Then look again at gold leaf as I said. It's about £15 a book and I can't see you using more than one or two to cover it. I think 6 cover 1sq meter and a chassis will be tiny area.i cant spend £300 making it look special as it is going to be given away as a prize, we just wanted it to look a bit special.
I really want to spend £30 - £50 tops on this.
ThatPhilBrettGuy said:
Simond001 said:
The item (a tamiya mini chassis) has a value of £8.99
i cant spend £300 making it look special as it is going to be given away as a prize, we just wanted it to look a bit special.
I really want to spend £30 - £50 tops on this.
Then look again at gold leaf as I said. It's about £15 a book and I can't see you using more than one or two to cover it. I think 6 cover 1sq meter and a chassis will be tiny area.i cant spend £300 making it look special as it is going to be given away as a prize, we just wanted it to look a bit special.
I really want to spend £30 - £50 tops on this.
Also, any idea where i buy them, also need to consider that the chassis' aren't flat, but moulded with lots of indents atc..
Simond001 said:
ThatPhilBrettGuy said:
Simond001 said:
The item (a tamiya mini chassis) has a value of £8.99
i cant spend £300 making it look special as it is going to be given away as a prize, we just wanted it to look a bit special.
I really want to spend £30 - £50 tops on this.
Then look again at gold leaf as I said. It's about £15 a book and I can't see you using more than one or two to cover it. I think 6 cover 1sq meter and a chassis will be tiny area.i cant spend £300 making it look special as it is going to be given away as a prize, we just wanted it to look a bit special.
I really want to spend £30 - £50 tops on this.
Also, any idea where i buy them, also need to consider that the chassis' aren't flat, but moulded with lots of indents atc..
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