chroming plastic parts

[halicat]

I have discovered a company in Quebec Canada that specializes in chroming plastic.. I'm thinking of getting my rear fender stone chip guards and the front and rear mudflaps done also some smaller interior pcs.

here is the link, they say 3 weeks max for turn around time.....i will keep everyone posted as i negotiate with them...

http://www.lashopabandit.com/test/index.htm

[Kruisin Kat]

Jim, I am interested in how the items come out. I too have a few things that I've said need a chrome accent.

Keep us posted please.

[halicat]

sure thing Paul..

i've sent an email to them looking for info... i'll post what they say when i get a reply....

[Dreamcast18]

:tu: Good stuff! Keep us posted..

[TooHipCat]

I too have a few things that I've said need a chrome accent.



What's next???...I don't want to copy you "KK"!!! :lol:

[Kruisin Kat]

Brian, Like most, I have more ideas than money. I feel a few accents here and there are needed.

I don't have a problem with someone copying, they say it's a form of flattery. In fact, I would bet I've flattered many people in some way or another, lol.

[halicat]

I received this email today from Le Bandit....
i'm going to buy a new set of rear fender rock guards & front and rear mudflaps to get done after I put the car away in November, if it turns out good, i'll send in my grill and a few interior pcs...

here is the email:

Hello James!

. Our process is a water base spray that immediately reacts chemically with the surface special paint to produce a perfect chrome image. We have tested it and even ''brutalized'' the pieces that were first sent to us in demo and it is very durable. It is a paint with a clear over it so it is as durable as a car paint is.



It will cost you $1.25 per square inch (width X lenght) to have your pieces chromed plus shipping. Most people use Purolator to send us their pieces and we also have used Post express that ships us the pieces in less than 2 days. If you send all your pieces together they will be done in the same batch. Allow 3 to 4 weeks to have your pieces back to you.

If you need more information, please do not hesitate to call us

[Scott Drolet]

This sounds great . .I can't wait to see what the finished parts look like! Like you, I'd like to see the rear chip guards done. And, maybe a stock front grill. The interior would be cool as well. This may seem like a REALLLY naive question . . but I noticed the website is in French. Do i need a translator?

Scott

[halicat]

They should be able to do business in english ....my email reply was in english.

Quebec law states that french be the predominant language and all items for sale in Canada have both french and english labels.

There are not very many business that are only french.
I can't speak any french so i guess i'll find out when i phone...lol

I sent them another email with some more questions, I'll post the reply when i get it.

[halicat]

I got another reply back to a couple of questions I asked

Q:
Will the chrome withstand temperature changes ? My car is stored in an unheated garage and temps in the winter get -20c and of course the summer gets temps in the +30's ....has your product proven to be able to handle the temp changes without peeling or degradation ?
What type of preparation do you have to do to the plastic in order to get it ready for the chrome. I'm thinking of my windshield washer reservoir.


A:
To answer your question, the chrome is as resistant as the paint on a car since it is cleared after.

It can withstand heat up to 165 F meaning we could not chrome part of a pipe under a car or parts of the motor that are close to heat. To prepare the pieces we have to sand a little to ensure there are not marks on the piece since chrome is a reflecting paint and any fault in the piece will show. There would be no problem painting your washer reservoir.

[halicat]

I'm going to pick up a new set of front and back splash guards on Saturday and mail them off to LeBandit for the chrome paint process.

Should have them back around the beginning of November, I'll post some pictures at that time.....

if they go well..

I will do the rear fender stone guards ...

[Kruisin Kat]

I was thinking that if I ever put chrome wheels on my kat I could have the plastic trailer wheel covers chromed to match. Looks like it's possible but very pricey!

Small items wouldn't be to bad though.

[halicat]

hey paul,

the small stuff should be pretty cheap, they quoted me $1.25 / sq inch... I will post some photos and the cost of the mudflaps when they get back....

I'm thinking of the grill as well....I wonder what a chrome grill with black door edge trim would look like....???

[Krzy Kat]

Jim, how would your grill look in like a black chrome?

(Don't know where to get that done at though ....

[halicat]

the car looked good with just the black grill but I thought it was better after i applied the chrome pcs.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/halicat/S6000041a.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/halicat/S6000445.jpg

[Dreamcast18]

Has someone checked this one out here?

http://alsacorp.com/

[halicat]

wow.. !

looks cool....

a bit pricey... $129.00 for the kit but if you think about it, if that much would do a good job on the mud flaps, grill, & stone guards it would be well worth it.....

the demonstration video is pretty impressive...


ok who wants to try it first...??

[Krzy Kat]

Jim, sounds VERY similar to the process that you've been quoted. Wouldn't be surprised if it IS THE SAME

[halicat]

Jim, sounds VERY similar to the process that you've been quoted. Wouldn't be surprised if it IS THE SAME

thats exactly what I was thinking...

did you watch any of the videos ?

that FX product is really cool.....

[Dreamcast18]

Well..if 50 cents trust them..they must be good? Wonder if the paint makes the car bullet proof too! :wink:

http://hybrids.autoblog.com/2006/03/03/50-cent-set-to-floss-in-chromed-out-lamborghini-murcielago/2

Scott: They are right here in LA. Maybe we can contact them and get a bunch of Prowler folks to go there together and have them demo some of the paint stuff for us? Someone can bring a rocker panel or a spare grill?

[halicat]

The grill would be cool...

I'll donate mine for the demo....

[Kruisin Kat]

Very neat products!

Thanks for the link.

[halicat]

looks like I won't be buying any soon...

the shipping is more than the product. :(

here is the email i just got:

Dear Jim,

Thank you for your inquiry and interest in Alsa Corporation. For shipping these cans into your region we estimate a cost of $100-150 US via Federal Express. Unfortunately we are unable to ship these products via any other method as they are considered dangerous goods due to their flammable rating. Attached you will find an order form and price lists if still interested in purchasing these items.

[Krzy Kat]

that BITES ... maybe we can get some of your yankee friends to try it out, and if anyone heads north of the border, they could get it to you.

Do you guys end up with issues like this all the time up there? Sounds like getting product into Canada is harder than USA

[halicat]

Its not usually a problem if i ship by USPS... anyone else seems to want to make me a new butthole ...
UPS is really bad...

I've talked to my paint guy and offered to buy a QT of the Mirra Chrome to test on my car... at $350 US plus shipping, here's what i expect to have done.

front and rear mudflaps,
grill,
rear bumpers,
front suspension parts,
assorted under hood items including the air intake tube and wiper grill that goes from the bottom of the windshield under the hood.
some small interior parts,

and if theres enough left, the stock plenum I took off the car.


i'm inventing a new personality dissorder...

obsessive / excessive.... :lol:

[Dreamcast18]

Never knew the pain of shipping HAZMAT:

http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/prepare/hazardous/index.html?WT.svl=SubNav

That's alot of work!

[Krzy Kat]

JIM - I like the idea of course ;)

Interested bystanders will be watching curiously with baited breath

[halicat]

well... i just measured up my new front mud flaps and came to the conclusion that they are going to cost me $150 each to have them chrome painted by LeBandit.....Sorry... no can do...way to much.

The plan is now to buy the MirraChrome quart kit for $450 plus the $150 shipping and get a airbrush kit from Eastwood and do everything myself.

http://www.alsacorp.com/products/mirrachrome/mirra_prodinfo.htm

http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=15993&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=1334&iSubCat=1347&iProductID=15993

[Krzy Kat]

Jim, sorry - I thought they already quoted you a price for some items that was WAY below that ?? $150 PER ... that's RIDICULOUS !! :shock:

On the positive side ... if this works how they "SELL" it working .. could be a new revenue stream for you. I'd GLADLY give you some business.

[halicat]

$1.25 per sq inch doesn't sound like much ... untill you calulate that a mud flap has 120 sq in on one side.....10" X 12"....

I should have figured that out long ago...brain cramp....

I am just waiting to get a email back from Alsa for a total shipped $,
i've already picked out an airbrush kit and a cheap sandblast unit. Then i will pick up a compressor locally and be ready to try it out.

my paint shop didn't sound interested in buying the paint even if I gave them the money up front so i've explored this route....

in my world a "no" makes me think "get out of my way" ....lol

[Krzy Kat]

You know, there are people that turn their hobbies into money making situations. If this product works out how you expect it to, you might find yourself with a new revenue stream. Then showing your car at shows would be fun PLUS profitable. "All chrome work done by HellKat Chroming"

[halicat]

Damn,

Randy I like your style...

I'm lookin for a change anyway, this workin for the man , doing paperwork and solving problems is bringing me down.... but i'm really good at it so it keeps the bills paid.

Gotta get this car and house paid off so I can spread my wings....and fly the f**k away...lol

I could always make Stained glass.... Sold $10,000 worth one year but now this car has absorbed alot of my spare time...

Actually today one of my things to do is look for another job...lots of work out west, maybe I'll relocate to BC where my heart is...

[Dreamcast18]

B.C is nice....plus I heard Vancouver has the best cantonese food in North America!

Plus, you can take a truck, drive to California for a day, meet ur SoCal posse, pickup those hazmat supplies, and drive back. :wink:

[halicat]

i'd love to move to Victoria...

no winters, drive the Kat year round...

one of the most beautiful places i've ever been...

maybe at 52 I should think about settling down..lol

[Krzy Kat]

You know - never thought about it - but when Jay was selling his business and going to retirement .... damn - that might have been a nice fit for you. Yeah, got to keep the bills paid, I know how it goes.

[halicat]

Did he sell his business ?

I wasn't aware of that..

I kinda assumed the hurricanes wiped him out....

I would have jumped at that....

[Krzy Kat]

yeah, he was looking for someone to take it over. Sorry man - just wasn't thinking. I imagine if he had a clue you'd be willing to move this way - he would have contacted you.

I don't know if he sold it or closed the doors, might be worth a jingle to Mr. Fun Fun Fun. He definately had all the contacts down here - did lots of aftermarket work for the dealers in South Florida.

Give him a yell - great guy to BS with anyhow.

[halicat]

I always love talking to Jay....

i'd like to buy his Shimmers technology

I think a move south is out for me anyways....

go west old man, go west..

[halicat]

I am just waiting to get a email back from Alsa for a total shipped $,
i've already picked out an airbrush kit and a cheap sandblast unit. Then i will pick up a compressor locally and be ready to try it out.

my paint shop didn't sound interested in buying the paint even if I gave them the money up front so i've explored this route....



guys,

I failing miserably... I have a bunch of stuff waiting to buy at Eastwood, a powder coating kit, a sandblaster, and an airbrush kit.

I emailed Alsa on the 13th and never got a reply.....

I told them i was ready to buy, just give me a total and i'll purchase.

this bad service bullshit gets me angry....

I'm going to email them again and see if they forgot about me or if its to much trouble to ship to Canada..

[Krzy Kat]

Can it be mailed to USA, and then one of us in USA ship it to you easier, and maybe even cheaper?

[halicat]

I'm trying to work this out without imposing on my friends....

if I can't get it done this way... then I have a friend who's brother lives in conneticut I can have it shipped to, then brought up the next time they go for a visit....

I'm just anxious to get started.....

Maybe there will be an email for me when I get home tonight....

[Krzy Kat]

OK, yeah I thought they were shipping with only one shipper, so that if someone in the US got it, they could sihp it with any shipper, one less expensive.

If you need any help - just yell ... that's what friends are for.

[halicat]

10-4

thanks for the offer,

we'll see how things play out... :tu:

[halicat]

Maybe there will be an email for me when I get home tonight....

no email tonight... :roll:

[halicat]

never got any replys.....

someone should contact them to see what the cost is for shipping within the US....

I've got to give up on this myself if the only supplier of the product won't return my requests.

[Krzy Kat]

Jim, what do you want? I went on Alsacorp and to ship 1 quart mirrachrome to me costs 350 + shipping:

Fedex Group 6.59
UPS ground 8.35

The faster shipping methods require air and the HazMat and an additional $30 on top of the air shipping costs.

I just went through saying I wanted to buy it - went to checkout and got to that stage without entering anything. I tried to find a referral code or coupon code on the net to make it cheaper but couldn't find any. Let me know what you want.

[halicat]

Hey Randy,

I'll get back to you on this tonight when i get home, I was going to buy the kit for $450 that came with the black and the clear.....

I can't look at the website here from work so i can't give you anymore particulars...

I'll be back to you later...

Thanks

Jim

[halicat]

here is the kit I wanted to get.....

http://www.alsacorp.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=Alsa_B&Product_Code=MC-101Q-KIT

I wonder how much trouble it would be to ship it via usps to Canada ?


I just ordered a powder coating kit and sandblaster from Eastwood... If i can be sure to buy this mirrachrome, I will order the airbrush kit right away.

[Krzy Kat]

I'm in zipcode 33409 (west palm beach, FL) - just check with whichever shipper is easiest to sent items ground to your destination for the cost. Then tell me what you want and I'll do it for you.

[halicat]

Thanks Randy

USPS won't carry international freight if :

"Shipments bearing caution labels indicating the contents are flammable"

I will have to check with some other carriers to see what can be done.

[Krzy Kat]

My best luck with international has been DHL. But sure - check UPS, Fedex, and whoever else you may think of. What if box didn't say that ?? :?

[halicat]

I just called FED-EX, they say I will have to call Dangerous goods department on monday...

i think customs would catch it if it didn't have the proper documentation... then it would be lost.

I'll try DHL...

[halicat]

DHL is closed until monday...I'll pick this up then..

[halicat]

I have found a Canadian Supplier for the Alsa products.........

all is good... :D

[halicat]

I just talked to Eddie Powell regarding the Mirrachrome product... he tells me that it is very difficult to get right, and in the end looks like polished aluminum more than chrome.For the cost of it I'm re-thinking this mod. I may just try to paint the items with regular paint....