brianZortiz Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 Hi, I have some fiberglass bumpers from MSA and I like the availability and weight savings. My 260z which is getting most attention out of my 2 s30z is 904 white. A color I Prefer to keep since its in good condition. Anyway, I dont like black white color combo, I'm more of a white and chrome (or similar shine) type of guy. I have seen the spray on chrome method which is really impressive, but its kind of expensive. I was wondering if anyone has ever powder coated chrome on their z FG bumpers or fiberglass parts or even spray can powdercoat? Powdercoat chrome and black chrome are available for relatively inexpensive prices for the powder. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meph Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 I looked into it a little and it seems possible to powder coat fiberglass if you use the correct primer powders. Id be worried about warping at 400 degs though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cockerstar Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 I haven't seen chrome laid on fiberglass, but check out columbia chrome from columbia coatings. It's the best "chrome" powder on the market. You'll want to make sure the part is outgassed properly and I'd personally shoot a light layer of outgassing primer over it too. Be sure to use an acrylic clear over it. Keep in mind, "chrome" powder coating is just a shiny silver and will never look like real chrome plating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onyx_riddle Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 If you are willing to make a minor compromise, I suggest checking out "paint mods" on YouTube. This is what I have planned to do. They use a special paint that requires no baking and gives pain a very metallic chrome finish. I believe the video is called "how to paint chrome". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianZortiz Posted April 15, 2013 Author Share Posted April 15, 2013 Cool. Thanks for info and input. Yes, I'm not looking for a full chrome shine and look, but similar. I think there are low temp coats in chrome. Thanks Onyx. I will try to find video. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m1ghtymaxXx Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 What about a chrome vinyl wrap? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R3VO 3VOM Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 I'm in the same boat. I have some fiberglass bumpers and I want to chrome them to match all the trim on the car. interesting ideas.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heroez Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 (edited) You know what I see? A bunch of people with fake bumpers and cheap mentality. You want the look of chrome... but not the price or effort involved. Not going to happen folks. You are stuck with the grade B or even grade C look by your own doing. What kind of person cheaps out on the final touches like that? The cars jewelry. I will tell ya. The same people spray painting stainless steel. People with no taste. Fiberglass bumpers, pfffft. Dont worry about justifying your purchase in a response, I wont be reading. If it makes you feel better, just imagine that you really educated me on the finer points of your Fisher Price bumpers. Edited April 19, 2013 by Heroez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtmny1999 Posted April 19, 2013 Share Posted April 19, 2013 An idea , why not just wrap your bumpers with chrome vinyl should look just like chrome, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R3VO 3VOM Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 (edited) You know what I see? A bunch of people with fake bumpers and cheap mentality. You want the look of chrome... but not the price or effort involved. Not going to happen folks. You are stuck with the grade B or even grade C look by your own doing. What kind of person cheaps out on the final touches like that? The cars jewelry. I will tell ya. The same people spray painting stainless steel. People with no taste. Fiberglass bumpers, pfffft. Dont worry about justifying your purchase in a response, I wont be reading. If it makes you feel better, just imagine that you really educated me on the finer points of your Fisher Price bumpers. Did we really need this? Just trying to help others out on this forum. Why did you feel obligated to post this? This isn't zilvia. Anyway, I'd be interested to see someone do a chrome wrap. To see how it looks. Edited April 21, 2013 by R3VO 3VOM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LanceVance Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 There are plating shops that will chrome plastic and fiberglass parts (It's a little more involved, but doable), is there a reason you don't want to just use real chrome? ...I'd even trade my real bumpers for your FG ones if you were remotely close by. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianZortiz Posted April 21, 2013 Author Share Posted April 21, 2013 (edited) . Edited April 21, 2013 by brianZortiz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianZortiz Posted April 21, 2013 Author Share Posted April 21, 2013 I have a rear chrome bumper. It's all dinged up. The FG bumpers are cheap and available, lighter. I really don't want to imitate chrome, but along those lines. @Jimmy thanks. I'll look into that. @Heroez, grow up. We all have different taste. Im not trying to cheap out. If it doesn't look good then I would try something else. Let me know when your z taste gets noticed, to me you just have a stock s30z with thin chrome 240z bumpers. Real taste you got there chief. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianZortiz Posted April 21, 2013 Author Share Posted April 21, 2013 Jimmy, thanks. I looked up chrome wrap and I think I will go that route. I will order a roll this week and give it a try. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snailed Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 There are plating shops that will chrome plastic and fiberglass parts (It's a little more involved, but doable), is there a reason you don't want to just use real chrome? ...I'd even trade my real bumpers for your FG ones if you were remotely close by. Yup, I have Paul's Chrome in PA do a lot of chrome for my work and they also do chrome on plastic. I saw some examples (dash and grill parts) when I visited their shop and it looks just like chrome over steel. This particular shop is extremely picky about making the part straight first also. I would have no doubt that you could not tell fiberglass vs metal if they did it. I'm pretty sure it would be more money than just having some good OE ones rechromed though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9teen7t240z Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 For those of you that prefer to go for real chrome plating, I have a service that specializes in electroplating of plastic parts. I've been sending many Z car plastic pieces overseas for replating and have generally had good results with the finished product. This week, for the first time, I am sending a set of fiberglass bumpers to be chrome plated. This is a "test run" for the bumpers to see if I can achieve the same quality results and to ascertain what the costs are to plate an item this large. I will post before and after pics of the bumpers through the process, and will let everyone know whether I'll be offering to plate fiberglass bumpers in the future.. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianZortiz Posted April 22, 2013 Author Share Posted April 22, 2013 Cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LanceVance Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 Mike, Why send overseas? I'm sure you could find an equally qualified shop in in the U.S., if not local to you in California. That said, I'm eager to see your results; do you have any pictures of the plastic bits you've had done already? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9teen7t240z Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 Lance (or Tim), A much less restrictive regulatory environment, coupled with lower labor costs, enable me to offer a good quality product at prices that are typically 50-60% off of locally quoted prices. Additionally, there arent many facilities here in the US that will still do custom chrome plating on plastic.......most of the remaining players just do production plating. Finally, many of us Z guys want our cars to look awesome, but we frequently don't want to spend alot of money to make them look good. So, in a nutshell, that is why I began this service ........to make traditional chrome plating more affordable to more people. Yes, I will keep the community updated with the progress with the fiberglass bumper trial run. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9teen7t240z Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 Lance, Sorry......I missed your second question. Yes, I have pics of past work done and will post them here. (If I can figure out how to do it:)) Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.