Chrome paint (1:1 model 911)

[gary71]

Hi, I’m asking for advice for my full scale model car

I’m restoring my old 911 and the light housings have seen better days and need a vaguely reflective finish on the inside. It’s only the indicators/brake lights so optical quality isn’t too important.

I can’t get them chrome plated as they are made from heavily corroded Mazak or some equivalent nasty metal, and will have repairs from various materials by the time I’ve finished. They will then be filled and primed. Probably with a 2k epoxy to stop further corrosion.

I know you guys use chrome paints so what would you recommend in this circumstance? I have full scale compressed air but no air brush.

This pic shows the rear housing in the quarter panel and yes that rear part is all rotted out!


What it used to look like:


It’s current state:


For the purposes of posting in the model section I have built a scale replica, but it’s not great!

Edited by gary71 on Monday 3rd August 21:29

[dr_gn]

I think you'll be lucky to end up with something thats both reflective and durable. I've had zero luck with chrome paints, but that's not to say it's impossible by any means. How long it would last is a different matter. I know you do need a perfectly smooth gloss black base coat for it to work.

You could try Bare Metal Foil, which is a self-adhesive, available in chrome finish. You cut it to profile, and burnish it down with some kind of soft stick. You can polish it as well. It's actually pretty easy to use. How long it would last on a car I have no idea.

Can't you polish the originals and get them chrome plated? The sidelights and rear lights on my E-Type are chrome plated Mazak.

[gary71]

Cheers for the tip. No chance of polishing as the surface is one of two thingS #1 missing completely or #2 like the surface of the moon.

I’ve used aluminium tape to line them before but was hoping for something a bit more professional looking as I’m trying to make a fairly good job of the car this time without getting carried away or doing something silly like spending £400 a side on new ones!

[henryk001]

Hi! If i was in your position based on what you have posted,i would try using chrome wrap as its flexible using a hair dryer, concidering your filling and priming the unit and if its only for your indicators should do the trick. Possibly may want to convert the bulbs to LED,s which dont generate any way near the heat that a bulb would..
KPMF premium marking films might be worth a try.
The other way could be to send them to a transfer dipping company, the industry supports applications such as wheels so heat is generated there and could also be your solution to the problem

https://www.kpmf.com/.
Trust these ideas helps you

[dhutch]

Can you get a 'gold leaf' type metallic silver transfer?

[The_Jackal]

I would get all the filling, sanding etc done so you have a nice smooth complete part first. Then see if a car paint shop can spray them with the best chrome they can get.
If you mess around with hobby level paints it will be st. I take it you cant buy a restored part?
Its a Porsche not a Lada.

[Drawweight]

I bought an aerosol of chrome paint from my local hardware shop that gave surprisingly good results.

I don’t know how resistant it would be in your situation but it only cost 4 quid so maybe worth a go.

[Starfighter]

Alsa Easy Chrome

https://alsacorp.com/product/easy-chrome/

[droopsnoot]

I got in touch with one of the spray-on chrome people about refinishing my headlamps. Mipa was the company, they do Vicrom paints. They said "But the brilliance of all products are not high enough, to create a reflective surface for headlamps!". But that might be good enough for smaller lamps.

I've tried a range of chrome aerosol paints, and they all should be called "bright silver", none of them are anywhere near chrome effect. I liked the idea of the Alsa chrome spray, I just couldn't find anyone near me (north west) that was doing it, as I'd like to see it before I commit. Drew Pritchard used one of the spray chrome products on the Volvo Amazon boot handle that they did on "Salvage Hunters Classic Cars", for much the same reason - the metal isn't good enough to chrome - and it looked good. But it was quite expensive, I thought.

[lemmingjames]

Molotow liquid chrome pens

[caterhamnut]

As above - Molotow pens - you can buy a small refill bottle.
You can spray it on, but it will also brush on well - don't dab - brush it on and wait for it to 'settle'.
I've used it on the rear lights of my VW, and also on the front headlamp where it had a water line inside...

[Yertis]

Can you not just get new ones? Yours looks completely shot.

[ecsrobin]

Yertis said:

Can you not just get new ones? Yours looks completely shot.

Yep Porsche make them. From memory having browsed the catalogues at Goodwood revival they’re not overly expensive. https://content.eu.porsche.com/prod/pag/Classic/Cl...