Powdercoat Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

67-70c10 · 08-06-2004, 04:27 PM

Can plastic pieces be powder coated? I thought it would be a great idea to powdercoat a few plastic trim pieces. Anyone know if this is possible?

Thanks!
Jim Smith

Bobalouie · 08-06-2004, 04:56 PM

No, plastic cant be powder coated. Plastic is electrically inert for the most part, and cannot hold the charge needed to attract the powder. Plus the 400° F or so temps would be a bit much for some plastics.

cdowns · 08-06-2004, 06:39 PM

no to powdercoating yes to chromeplating

incoma · 08-06-2004, 10:00 PM

cdowns - you peaked my curiousity. chrome plating plastic is a special process isn't it? I thought it was not like plating metal.

**gregfull** · 08-08-2004, 11:15 AM

incoma,

Yes it is a special process, it is done in a vacuum. Years ago I used to send gage clusters and a/c balls to a place in Michigan called American Plastic Chrome. The other day I spoke to Mitch @ BeCool Radiators, they have their electric fans chrome plated in Florida. I'm sure if you called Mitch @ BeCool he would give you a name and number.

Good Luck!

JimKshortstep4x4 · 08-08-2004, 08:22 PM

We used to have a plastic plater in our plant. The plastic went through a "preplating" process where it was coated prior to going through the plating process. In the plating process, the parts were dipped in three baths of copper, then dipped in nickel baths, with final dips in the chrome tanks. It was a quite extensive process.

The plating that gregful described is still done in the plant. What he described is "Vacuum Metalizing". Parts are coated, placed in a vacuum chamber where they are charged with electricity. Strips of aluminum are placed on copper rods in the chamber which have the opposite charge as the parts. At an extremely low vacuum the aluminum vaporizes and since the particles are charged they are deposited onto the parts. The result looks very much like chrome.

Jim

incoma · 08-08-2004, 08:37 PM

Thanks for the input. I'd like to see this process. I've watched powder coating and various painting processes, but coating plastic sounds like a wicked process. Are there any places to have stuff "re-plated"? I've been buying re-coated parts, but it sure would be nice to have my own stuff re-plated/coated.

08-06-2004, 04:27 PM	#1
67-70c10 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Baltimore Maryland Posts: 10	Powdercoat Question Can plastic pieces be powder coated? I thought it would be a great idea to powdercoat a few plastic trim pieces. Anyone know if this is possible? Thanks! Jim Smith

08-06-2004, 04:56 PM	#2
Bobalouie Fetzer Valve Technician Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Stillwater, OK Posts: 205	No, plastic cant be powder coated. Plastic is electrically inert for the most part, and cannot hold the charge needed to attract the powder. Plus the 400° F or so temps would be a bit much for some plastics. __________________ 1972 Chevy K10 SWB

08-06-2004, 06:39 PM	#3
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	no to powdercoating yes to chromeplating __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

08-08-2004, 11:15 AM	#5
gregfull Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Richmond, Texas Posts: 598	incoma, Yes it is a special process, it is done in a vacuum. Years ago I used to send gage clusters and a/c balls to a place in Michigan called American Plastic Chrome. The other day I spoke to Mitch @ BeCool Radiators, they have their electric fans chrome plated in Florida. I'm sure if you called Mitch @ BeCool he would give you a name and number. Good Luck! __________________ My Suburban Project 72 Suburban 68 SWB 57 Belair 55 Cameo 06 Chevy 1/2 ton crew 09 Suburban

08-06-2004, 10:00 PM	#4
incoma Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 865	cdowns - you peaked my curiousity. chrome plating plastic is a special process isn't it? I thought it was not like plating metal.

08-08-2004, 08:22 PM	#6
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	We used to have a plastic plater in our plant. The plastic went through a "preplating" process where it was coated prior to going through the plating process. In the plating process, the parts were dipped in three baths of copper, then dipped in nickel baths, with final dips in the chrome tanks. It was a quite extensive process. The plating that gregful described is still done in the plant. What he described is "Vacuum Metalizing". Parts are coated, placed in a vacuum chamber where they are charged with electricity. Strips of aluminum are placed on copper rods in the chamber which have the opposite charge as the parts. At an extremely low vacuum the aluminum vaporizes and since the particles are charged they are deposited onto the parts. The result looks very much like chrome. Jim

08-08-2004, 08:37 PM	#7
incoma Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 865	Thanks for the input. I'd like to see this process. I've watched powder coating and various painting processes, but coating plastic sounds like a wicked process. Are there any places to have stuff "re-plated"? I've been buying re-coated parts, but it sure would be nice to have my own stuff re-plated/coated.



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