Can aluminum trim be chrome plated?

[CN Spots]

Pop passed down his '68 Ford Ranger to me last weekend and I've been trying to get a plan together to do a resto/mild hot-rod job on her over the next few years.<br /><br />Question # 1 of 4538:<br /><br />That model has a ton of trim on it and it's mostly anodized aluminum. It's pretty light gauge stuff. Can it be plated or am I stuck with that dull finish forever? Thanks.<br /><br />spots

 

[ob]

Re: Can aluminum trim be chrome plated?

It can be done ,but it requires a specific preparation procedure.Touch base with your nearest chrome plating shop.Might be easier just locating some replacement mouldings.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Can aluminum trim be chrome plated?

Even plastic can be chrome plated. Aluminum wheels are chromed all the time. Like ob says, talk to the platers to find the cost and practicality.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Can aluminum trim be chrome plated?

Originally posted by Boomyal:<br /> Even plastic can be chrome plated.

Does that mean these Bayliner owners can have their boat chrome plated?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Can aluminum trim be chrome plated?

Why not polish and clear coat the aluminum?

 

[CN Spots]

Re: Can aluminum trim be chrome plated?

Why not polish and clear coat the aluminum?

I thought about that but I was afraid of the maintenance. People on this forum have had a hard enough time getting paint to stick to roughed-up aluminum boat hulls... What kind of paint would stick to mirror-smooth buffed aluminum? It WOULD be cheaper than plating.<br /><br />spots

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Can aluminum trim be chrome plated?

Most every aluminum wheel you see on cars & trucks these days is clearcoated polished aluminum. If you like that look, it does last with minimal care. Not mirror-like the way chrome is, but can look very nice in my opinion. Probably cheaper than plating also.