The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
-----

Chroming or metallizing Computer Plastic

What's the best way to chrome computer plastic? Also can I give the parts a nice brushed aluminum look?

Al Barsky
Vital Group - New York, New York
2005

---

Hi Al. Is this a one-off job on your own personal computer, or thousands of OEM computer cases? Do you know what kind of plastic it is? Thanks.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2005

---

I just said computer plastic to show the type of plastic. It's actually a part for a child seat seat belt pass. So it will have some friction.

It's not a "one-off", but now thousands either. These will be custom made products, so I will need to do maybe 10 at a time.

I have read up on the Luminore product and think it will work well for my purpose.

Any other ideas?

Thanks.

Al Barsky
- New York, New York
2005

---

There are many alternative technologies if corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity and wear resistance aren't significant issues and appearance is the only significant requirement--including metal electroplating, chrome-look paint, and vacuum metallization. Vacuum metallization would probably be the least expensive in high volume; but in your volume range I would think that chrome-look paint would be the least expensive approach.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2005

finishing.com is made possible by ...