Thread: Powdercoating verus Chrome???

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.....Hi everyone, I need to make a decission on what to powdercoat & what color to do it. Also I might add some chrome. I realize now I should have just ordered my chassis with a chrome front end but I guess this is an example of changing one's mind??? Anyway, is there a powdercoating that looks anything like chrome??? Also does anyone have any pictures of silver powdercoating??? What are you folks views on powdercoating verus chrome??? Thanks Bill

eatstwood has a powder i think its called mostly chrome, but its not super shiny, i heard they were coming out with a better one

Powdercoating doesn't cause hydrogen embrittlement like chrome does, so it's better on stressed parts. Stands up to road rash better, too, I think.

Have it galvanized

Sort of depends on the look you want. If the bright, reflective quality of Chrome is what you want there is no substitute...........yet. Powdercoats look good in their own right and are durable and, imho, are easier to maintain in the long run than chrome. If you're mixing parts that are polished stainless in the same area, chrome would be a closer look. Hydrogen embriddlement is an issue, all the more reason to find a quality/knowledgeable plater instead of one of those "gypsy" swapmeet types who may or maynot know what to do. If the plater bakes off the hydrogen it's no longer an issue, but that's an extra step that the quick and dirty bumper specialists can't and won't do.

One more note for either plating or powder coating, make sure you plug/mask, or insist at your direction, any threaded or tight clearance holes. Saves a bunch of headache later at reassembly.

One more option is coming on, vacuum metalizing. This is a variation on how plastic parts have been plated in the past, and has some similarities to powder coating. By chance the guys a Rod & Custom (see the Dec 06 issue) have just put up an article on the process. Looks very promising and doesn't have the hydrogen embrittlement issue.

The chrome powder coat is used quite a bit in open wheel dirt track racing,I know a guy who has his chassis done in it,and you see it alot on front axles.
It holds up reasonably well but it seems to dull out some over a seasons racing.
The stuff I've seen looks better than any other imitation chrome Iv'e ever seen,but I kinda understand that the dulling is UV related .

Originally Posted by billlsbird

.....Hi everyone, I need to make a decission on what to powdercoat & what color to do it. Also I might add some chrome. I realize now I should have just ordered my chassis with a chrome front end but I guess this is an example of changing one's mind??? Anyway, is there a powdercoating that looks anything like chrome??? Also does anyone have any pictures of silver powdercoating??? What are you folks views on powdercoating verus chrome??? Thanks Bill

Ceramic coating has a look that's similar to chrome., but the surface has less bling. It's often used on headers to simulate chrome, without the turning blue. I think it's applied like powdercoating, and priced somewhere between powdercoating and chrome plating.

There is also a chemical plating process (electroless) that would sidestep the issue of hydrogen embrittlement.