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Formulation of spray on silvering and best overcoat to protect process

I am attempting to get a small spray silvering venture going in my small town as an alternative to plating. I am not much of a scientist, so I need low tech terms I can easily understand. From what I have researched, I want to use a Tinning solution to sensitise my surfaces made of ABS or other plastics, after getting some sort of ultra smooth base coat. I get all of this. BUT! can I use a copper paint sprayed on a plastic surface instead.AND...

What is a formula for a glucose reducer using table sugar, and
What do I need to add to the silver Nitrate ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] to get a good deposition water, ammonia ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] etc.
Also what do I need to do to get a deposition on sheet steel?
And finally can I use an automotive or poly coat to protect my new finish water or solvent based that will keep the shine of the new silver

Any help would be appreciated.

Klent Steele
hobbyist - Niles, Michigan, USA
February 12, 2011

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Hi, Klent. You are certainly welcome to try to develop a chrome-look paint system yourself, but others have spent years and small fortunes on it already, perfecting the best base coat for adhesion and corrosion resistance, the best bright layer for chrome-like appearance, and the best top coat to avoid yellowing. If your objective is to get a chrome-look paint application business going, you will be years ahead buying or licensing the process, especially if, as you claim, you're not much of a scientist. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
February 15, 2011