Chrome or no chrome?

[Kyle]

I prefer the look of Henkei in general over Classic/Universe 2.0. The plastics used and paint apps have been superior. While I agree some of the chrome details have been unnecessary and placements a little strange, they never bothered me that much and are things I can live with considering the other advantages of Henkei mentioned. If the chrome ever gets scratched or comes off, I can paint silver paint over it. I've also heard there're now new "chrome" modelling markers from Japan that look very good.

However, after reading one of the Hasbro Q & A's about how Hasbro prefers not to use chrome because it weakens the plastic, I've been thinking if the Henkei toys will stand the test of time and whether I should turn to Hasbro versions instead.

Hasbro versions:
- Cheaper plastics? (From some of you guys' observations.)
- Plastic colours and paint apps look cheaper. More noticeable mis-matchs of same colour occurring.
- No chrome.

Henkei:
- Nicer plastics?
- Plastic colours and paint apps I prefer.
- Chrome which might or might not make plastic weak or brittle over time.

Am I worrying too much? The chrome parts on all my childhood toys had been large pieces so I could never tell if smaller chrome pieces (the ones on Henkei) would become brittle and snap over time. What are you guys' experiences with chrome on your old toys?

[lcz128]

Wow - what chrome markers are these!?!?!

To answer the topic at hand:
CHROME CHROME CHROME! :D
I'm a big fan of chrome on the Henkeis - personally speaking, the choice of spots where the chrome has been applied works for me - there are the odd few where I go "huh?" but by and large they really add a touch of old-school awesome to the toys :)
True, chrome can chip and whatnot - but the thing you read about the markers sounds great! Also, gotta say I'm not fussed about the brittle-ness as I haven't seen it happen, nor do I roughly handle my toys-

so again - CHROME CHROME CHROME. I may be paying more for my henkei - but damn, they look good!

[kup]

Although I like the chrome application on most figures, I have to admit that when it comes to longitivity, I prefer good painted silver instead. Chrome is to prome to chipping as time passes just like the BW Transmetal toys.

My only real complaint abouy chrome application are Grimlock's excessiveness and Cyclonus' wings and to a lesser degree, Sideswipe's chromed gun/canon and rear spoiler. Aside from those I am happy with the chome applications.

[TheDirtyDigger]

However, after reading one of the Hasbro Q & A's about how Hasbro prefers not to use chrome because it weakens the plastic,

I smell bulls***! http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/5033/bullshitsg7.gif (http://imageshack.us)



Chrome looks much better in my opinion.

[GoktimusPrime]

Yeah... I've never encountered problems with chrome-weakening plastic on TFs as far as I can tell... no where near as bad as gold-plastic syndrome or that cheap brown plastic they used on Transmetal 2 Megatron. Then there's the el-cheapo plastic they used on Animated Blitzwing... gah.

I have a G1 Bluestreak reissue that's entirely covered in chrome and it doesn't seem any hardier or weaker than my regular Silverstreak reissue. Meh.

[Golden Phoenix]

I like chrome only when it is placed well. If they put it somewhere ridiculous it is pretty much a was of time

Henkei Sunstreaker has well placed chrome: The gun, the spoiler and vents.
It works. Chrome would probably be there on the actual car, maybe not the spoiler, but there it isn't in the way or likely to chip

Henkei Galvatron on the other hand is poorly placed chrome. If that was an actual tank, he'd be one blinged out tank. Not only that, but the turret is pretty much completely chrome, I was so afraid of transforming him the first time because I was scared of chipping. And I ended up doing it later when trying to get the arm in...

[autobreadticon]

I don't like it when chroming goes too far like e-hobby silverstreak, too much bling...

Chrome on henkei remind me of G1 toys.. :)

[kup]

Yeah... I've never encountered problems with chrome-weakening plastic on TFs as far as I can tell... no where near as bad as gold-plastic syndrome or that cheap brown plastic they used on Transmetal 2 Megatron. Then there's the el-cheapo plastic they used on Animated Blitzwing... gah.

I have a G1 Bluestreak reissue that's entirely covered in chrome and it doesn't seem any hardier or weaker than my regular Silverstreak reissue. Meh.

Yeah I have never seen chrome weaken the plastic. At worse the chrome chips off and you get the plastic underneath but that's it. As mentioned, cheapo plastic which stresses easily is much worse.

[Lint]

If done properly it doesn't weaken the plastic deppreciably at all. I think the problem is that in the past manufacturers used to coat el-cheapo plastic with chrome because it was cheaper/easier to do. I don't believe this is the case with the henkei line.

[turtle boy]

Working on "truck model" alot, I see and use alot of chromed plastic. And, the plastic used for the kits is by far the weakest plastic I have come across. But it is ALL of the plastic on the model, not just the chrome.. If chroming parts made plastic weaker, then all truck models would be stuffed in what, 3 months. And plastic on TF is 1000% stronger then the plastic used in say revell kits.

I think that hasbro are just covering up the tightness of the company and thinking that "they" are just collectors. How would "they" tell the difference..

[d*r*j*]

I like chrome a lot on the great g1 toys (prime, megatron) and think it added to the look of parts that were obviously intended to look metal.

I think that a lot of the classics/universe lack a certain finished quality, not just because of the lack of chrome... but because the chrome has been replaced with a light gray colour that looks like plastic rather than metal. Still my bottle of gun metal gray enamel paint cost me $5 from the hobby store and is still going strong.
Touching up the toys like this also gives you a sense of participating in the creative process and more control over the finish of the toys you are purchasing. How can that be a bad thing?

With Henkei I think that the chroming has become a gimmick... sometimes it looks great, but sometimes it ruins the look of the toy. I really like the henkei Rodimus though... one day I might break down and buy that.

[1orion2many]

`:)It all depends if you madly play with your toys or your like me and only transform them once in a blue moon. We have all seen the results of overly loved transformers with worn chrome:(, go Universe if you intend to hammer your TF's, Go Henkei if your gentle:D.

[GoktimusPrime]

I don't like it when chroming goes too far like e-hobby silverstreak, too much bling...
It was a free lucky-draw prize, so I ain't complaining. :) It would be a bit of a rort if they expected people to pay for them. :p

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

I say go the chrome!! Hell yeh! Especially when they bust out something a little bit extra special. I was impressed with Henkei Rodimus yellow chrome, but for some reason Hound's gun-metal chromed bull bar really wowed my pants off!

Some of it is just for show I think, especially when you have a squizz on the back of the box and it lists the chroming as a cool feature. Henkei boxes fo this well.

Eg Back of Cheetas' Box.
Special 2; whip becomes tail, Special 3; Chi-merangs* stored in legs. Special 1; Face is chromed!! etc etc



*I am not making that name up! Thats what his ninja stars are called.

[Robzy]

Yeah, chrome all the way! Especially weapons... it has a nice G1 feel about it!

[Kyle]

I was impressed with Henkei Rodimus yellow chrome, but for some reason Hound's gun-metal chromed bull bar really wowed my pants off!

I agree the chrome on these two work VERY well. :)

Chi-merangs sounds interesting... :p

[dirge]

I'm a fan of chrome, when used properly - which is the case for most of the Henkei toys. There are some occasions where it's used poorly - TMII Iguanus springs to mind.

I agree with the sentiments above that Hasbro's avoidance of chrome is not related to durablity of plastic - we're seeing weaker plastics (compared to previous lines) being used on the Universe & Animated toys anyway - so I don't buy into the great concern about durability. Especially when sources within Hasbro have told us how tight the paint applications budgets are already.

[roller]

perhaps they should start releasing the toys with no colours and spend the money on Chrome, making it like a model kit where you have to paint it yourself, that would cut costs im sure :D

[kup]

perhaps they should start releasing the toys with no colours and spend the money on Chrome, making it like a model kit where you have to paint it yourself, that would cut costs im sure :D

Actually I would prefer that than some pen marker pink or neon blue. At least I can paint it myself without having to scrape off the crappy factory paint first.