Preserving chrome trim?

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LJV

LJV

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This might be over-optimistic, but whenever I've sent emails to manufacturers to inquire about discontinued models in various areas of electronics, tech. assistance for same etc. they always came forward.

So, my humble suggestion would be that perhaps forum owners, in the name of all interested forum members, sends an email to let's say 10 or 20 famous boombox manufacturers worldwide, explains the situation with metalized plastic parts restoration problem, and asks for their suggestions, help, guide... whatever.

It would be important to point out obviously different procedure and materials needed for plastic parts coated with aluminum and those coated with chrome, since aluminum is non-ferrite unlike chrome.

It would be of no expense to them to help out, they could only benefit from photos and adds of shiny restored boomboxes which are carrying their name. Perhaps there is a simple solution we don't know of, like diy mixture of certain chemicals to be sprayed over. Perhaps even some of them would come forward and give us possibility to order coating directly?

What are your thoughts?
 
LJV

LJV

Member (SA)
I've talked today with several people who do metalization of plastic professionally.

There are two methods; Galvanic and Vacuum

The price is not the problem, as they can do it for small fee when they work on big orders, BUT, what is the problem, is the fact, that both methods require absolutely clean plastic, and not just clean even if you could strip all old layers of, but also polished plastic, in order to get shiny effect.

So, it is definitely the most problematic part of boombox restoration, and the only salvation would be spray paint that is good enough, but all I've heard about existing ones was :thumbsdown:
 
Line Out

Line Out

Member (SA)
And there is no way to get the plastic clean again after ~30 years? I would like to see what soda blasting would do to the plastic... Maybe a short acetone bath(!) or something like that could help.... :hmmm:

I think the plastic was never actually polished, but the mold. So the knobs, trims etc. are ready for metallizing. But still I think the plastic originally had some kind of mold release on it after it was taken from the mold. Maybe it was then washed...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metallizing there's something (and the inevitable add on the last chapter)

Which leads to VeroMetal. If the plastic could actually be coated with this almost metal layer, maybe it could be almost chromed as a real metal. Just maybe.
 
BoomboxLover48

BoomboxLover48

Boomus Fidelis
Line Out said:
And there is no way to get the plastic clean again after ~30 years? I would like to see what soda blasting would do to the plastic... Maybe a short acetone bath(!) or something like that could help.... :hmmm:

I think the plastic was never actually polished, but the mold. So the knobs, trims etc. are ready for metallizing. But still I think the plastic originally had some kind of mold release on it after it was taken from the mold. Maybe it was then washed...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metallizing there's something (and the inevitable add on the last chapter)

Which leads to VeroMetal. If the plastic could actually be coated with this almost metal layer, maybe it could be almost chromed as a real metal. Just maybe.
Click to expand...


Don't use Acetone! :no: :no: :no:
In many cases it will melt plastic and swell it also.

Use isopropanol and clean it. :yes:
 
LJV

LJV

Member (SA)
Molds are polished when they are made, so the plastic comes out of them all smooth.

I think that it is reasonable to get into removing layers and re-metalizing, only of boombox has really great value.
 
Line Out

Line Out

Member (SA)
BoomboxLover48 said:
Don't use Acetone! :no: :no: :no:
In many cases it will melt plastic and swell it also.

Use isopropanol and clean it. :yes:
Click to expand...

I know exactly what acetone does :angelic: I was thinking that it could give the plastic a smooth surface again, if dipped really quickly... but maybe not. :no:
 
LJV

LJV

Member (SA)
Check this http://blog.makezine.com/2012/08/17/etching-metalized-plastic/

etching-metallized-plastics.jpg
 
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