[darkpuppet]

ZTWsquared,Feb 10 2009, 01:52 PM Wrote:

darkpuppet,Feb 10 2009, 01:28 PM Wrote:first check to make sure the front grill isn't plastic... 'cause you can't powdercoat plastic (the heat that melts the powdered paint to the surface would melt/warp the plastic).

if it's plastic, either spray it or chrome it.
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It is plastic ... and for what a wrecker wants for a used one here in Ontario, I'd rather spend a few bucks more and get a new one in the US.

I've been in touch with a company based out of Quebec called Cosmichrome that apparently has a really good process for "chroming" non-conductive materials using a water-based system. I'd appreciate comments about this system from any of the finishing experts on here (Bryan?)

There's a company in Belleville that has their system, but I can't find anyone closer.

I suppose I also have the option of painting the grille the body colour (good on a black car, but not so good on a Moss Green vehicle, which unfortunately is what I now have.)

But in any event, I'm not a real chrome fan and if I'm forced to have it, I'd prefer the black chrome or polished aluminum effect.

Daniel ... if you're serious about doing something about your chrome grille let me know and perhaps we could do something together. BTW - whatever I do to the grille I also plan on doing to the chrome strip on the trunk.
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I think the cosmichrome would probably do the job. If anything, you may want to clearcoat it after you get it back to protect the final colour layer, but since it appears to a be a wet application, it should provide nice results.

the other option is to spend a little more and send it to a shop that'll pre-impregnate the part with silver, then electro-plate it with the usual copper-nickel-chrome mix... which would be more durable than the spray coating.

not to mention that there's over a dozen chromers in the Toronto area alone.

I definitely put a vote in for black chrome.