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View Full Version : Re-Chroming bits and pieces how to guide



loophole
3rd March 2010, 02:23 PM
I have been asked about re-chroming G1 bits and pieces, and thought to share with you all on how i have done it to a couple of my figures

now here i have a junker Springer a G1 Pipes that just needs a touch up, 1200 wet and dry sand paper, a silver uni paint marker from any local newsagent, chrome in a spray can, and some 2inch tape that is available from Bunnings or most automotive stores
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/rechrome/_1014247.jpg

first of all i'll start with Springer now what i have done here is sand the chromed area with 1200sandpaper with a little bit of water, after which i dryed off with a towel
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/rechrome/_1014250.jpg

now i have masked out the chrome parts so that none of the paint will go on the rest of the figure like so
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/rechrome/_1014251.jpg

then after the masking out just spray enough coats of paint to cover the plastic with the chrome paint and leave to dry for at least an hour or so then unmask and your done
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/rechrome/_1014254.jpg

next up will do the tip of Pipes smokestacks here is the before shot
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/rechrome/_1014257.jpg

and now i just grabbed the pen marker and coloured the worn part of the chrome and ta do!!! this only really works for small areas like ends of gun tips and such
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/rechrome/_1014258.jpg

and the two together with the end results
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll214/Loophole83/rechrome/_1014260.jpg

i hope that helps

kup
3rd March 2010, 02:38 PM
That's what I did with some of my worn toys too and although it is a massive improvement, it doesn't have the same shine as real chrome.

How does your result look in person? If its as good as it looks on the pics, you have a really good brand name paint pen.

loophole
3rd March 2010, 02:58 PM
looks good in person and yeah the spray does dull off a bit but still a massive improvement and the pen works really well as you tend not to notice it as i only use it for minor touch ups

kup
3rd March 2010, 03:01 PM
It is a pretty good result. Where did you get the can?

5FDP
3rd March 2010, 03:57 PM
I got the same stuff... bought it from Bunnings. Can't remember how much though.

loophole
3rd March 2010, 04:26 PM
It is a pretty good result. Where did you get the can?

i dont know where the can is from as my dad bought it maybe big w:confused:

canofwhoopass_87
3rd March 2010, 05:47 PM
Thanks heaps for the guide loopy. The touchups done on pipes' smokestacks look great. It would've been good to see the springer chrome piece stay the same after the paint app, but it did dull off a little after drying. It still looks much better than the untouched original though.

I'm going to give this a test shot on some worn g1 tape weapons first and see how I go.

I've got the same question too though - Where to get the spray can?

loophole
3rd March 2010, 05:51 PM
Thanks heaps for the guide loopy. The touchups done on pipes' smokestacks look great. It would've been good to see the springer chrome piece stay the same after the paint app, but it did dull off a little after drying. It still looks much better than the untouched original though.

I'm going to give this a test shot on some worn g1 tape weapons first and see how I go.

I've got the same question too though - Where to get the spray can?

glad it helped, i know motorcraft have a chrome spray paint but ive used it before and it tends to dull off quite a bit so maybe even see what bunnings or someone like autobahn have

http://www.whiteknightpaints.com.au/product/view/super-chrome looks like bunnings does supply white knight paints

you could always try spraying this ontop of the chrome so it doesnt loose it shine http://www.whiteknightpaints.com.au/product/view/super-chrome

bruticus
8th March 2010, 08:51 PM
bunnings definitely sell the spray can... its not cheap though. about $25 from memory.

hey, has anyone here ever tried to use polishing compound on the first chrome coat and then respray it with chrome again??
or has anyone sprayed gloss black first and then sprayed chrome on top?

im too busy to test it out but was very excited when i heard that it works well...suppose to be really shiny.

VERT
8th March 2010, 09:12 PM
Or you can pay the Big bucks and get the parts Chrome plated or what I did to my G1 Megatron and get it Silver Plated. Place in Sydney called the Bronzing Studio can do it.

lcz128
8th March 2010, 09:12 PM
This white knight stuff is good, but it's not fool proof. Even the site says that it requires Recoating every once in a while.

Personally, unlike it but it definitely doesn't have the same level of shine as chrome. A more expensive, more tedious and volatile but super shiney alternative is using hobby Chrome foil. Here is an example! www.hlj.com/product/HSGTF1

kup
11th March 2010, 02:39 PM
This white knight stuff is good, but it's not fool proof. Even the site says that it requires Recoating every once in a while.

Personally, unlike it but it definitely doesn't have the same level of shine as chrome. A more expensive, more tedious and volatile but super shiney alternative is using hobby Chrome foil. Here is an example! www.hlj.com/product/HSGTF1

It would be awesome if they had gold chrome.

Edit: And they do! :)

lcz128
11th March 2010, 06:22 PM
It would be awesome if they had gold chrome.

Edit: And they do! :)

THEY DO! and it's AWESOME!
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/lcz128_photos/Transformers/HenkeiRockdown_B19_S.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/lcz128_photos/Transformers/HenkeiBludgeon_S_008.jpg

gamblor916
12th March 2010, 08:27 AM
I just came across this tutorial (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=979823) concerning this product (http://redirectingat.com/?id=252X400&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hlj.com%2Fproduct%2FWRK00251) and it looks amazing. I have yet to try it but it looks interesting. A note at Rainbow10 (http://www.rainbowten.co.jp/english/) says it will be in stock in a few months.

bruticus
12th March 2010, 03:41 PM
I just came across this tutorial (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=979823) concerning this product (http://redirectingat.com/?id=252X400&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hlj.com%2Fproduct%2FWRK00251) and it looks amazing. I have yet to try it but it looks interesting. A note at Rainbow10 (http://www.rainbowten.co.jp/english/) says it will be in stock in a few months.


whoah... looks very promising...might get me some later too.
but one question though... why is the guy topless in all the photos?? :confused:

lcz128
12th March 2010, 06:07 PM
That chromey stuff is pretty damn epic! I'm down for some!! Woo
thanks so much for lettig us know about it gamblor!!!

loophole
12th March 2010, 07:11 PM
I just came across this tutorial (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=979823) concerning this product (http://redirectingat.com/?id=252X400&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hlj.com%2Fproduct%2FWRK00251) and it looks amazing. I have yet to try it but it looks interesting. A note at Rainbow10 (http://www.rainbowten.co.jp/english/) says it will be in stock in a few months.

that does look good :D

Soundwarp
12th March 2010, 07:42 PM
Nice one mate!

Kyle
12th March 2010, 08:36 PM
We should do a group order for that stuff... :D

GoktimusPrime
13th March 2010, 10:08 AM
How much do those sprays cost?

Hey VERT, how does that silver plating stand up against chipping?

VERT
13th March 2010, 03:23 PM
How much do those sprays cost?

Hey VERT, how does that silver plating stand up against chipping?

No chipping after almost 10 years its close to indestructible. You just clean it with metal polish or silver polish :D

bruticus
18th April 2010, 11:06 PM
I just came across this tutorial (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=979823) concerning this product (http://redirectingat.com/?id=252X400&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hlj.com%2Fproduct%2FWRK00251) and it looks amazing. I have yet to try it but it looks interesting. A note at Rainbow10 (http://www.rainbowten.co.jp/english/) says it will be in stock in a few months.

does anyone know if the Kosutte Gin-san powder is available for order yet?

gamblor916
19th April 2010, 07:56 AM
I've been searching for it at HLJ and R10. Nothing at the moment.

kup
19th April 2010, 09:01 AM
When I get the reissue jazz gun, I am going to try and send it to those chromers.

snaketales
19th April 2010, 12:37 PM
I bought some Spraypak silver chrome from Bunnings yesterday for $10.

As mentioned previously it's not as shiny as the original chrome - in fact, it looks like the Humbrol silver paint I use on my customs - but it is an improvement on worn parts (and has a smoother finish than using model paint)

So far I've done a KO Blast Off chest piece (as a test run), a junker Long Haul's legs (test run on 'real' Transformers), Steeljaw's guns and Kickback's wings.

Umming and aaahing about whether to do Octane's wings and tanker top.

1AZRAEL1
19th April 2010, 01:40 PM
So far I've done a KO Blast Off chest piece (as a test run), a junker Long Haul's legs (test run on 'real' Transformers), Steeljaw's guns and Kickback's wings.

Post some pictures of the figures after, I am intrigued to see how this stuff works out. I want to buy some stuff to rechrome a few things.

kup
19th April 2010, 02:36 PM
I have tried it. It is certainly a huge improvement from worn chrome but it lacks that 'mirror' shine from original chrome as its rather flat.

snaketales
19th April 2010, 03:39 PM
Post some pictures of the figures after, I am intrigued to see how this stuff works out. I want to buy some stuff to rechrome a few things.

Will do... but you will have to wait several days until I am back at work. There is an internet drought at home at the moment (thanks Optus! :mad:)

1AZRAEL1
20th April 2010, 07:46 AM
Will do... but you will have to wait several days until I am back at work. There is an internet drought at home at the moment (thanks Optus! :mad:)

That's cool. I don't have net at home atm either, ditching the crappy vodafone broadband stick for a more permanent connection.

kup
20th April 2010, 01:39 PM
The Chromers (http://www.chrometech.com.au/) wanted to charge me $88 for chroming a small Jazz gun - I don't think so :(

I guess that I will just need to find a gold color of that spray. It's there a gold version of that super gold chrome spray?

5FDP
20th April 2010, 05:27 PM
The Chromers (http://www.chrometech.com.au/) wanted to charge me $88 for chroming a small Jazz gun - I don't think so :(

:eek: Did you actually show them what you wanted chromed or did they give you a quote over the phone?


I guess that I will just need to find a gold color of that spray. It's there a gold version of that super gold chrome spray?

White Knight makes the gold colour too (spray can).

kup
20th April 2010, 06:29 PM
:eek: Did you actually show them what you wanted chromed or did they give you a quote over the phone?

I sent them a photo next to a ruler for measurement as they requested.


White Knight makes the gold colour too (spray can).

Awesome!

snaketales
22nd April 2010, 03:10 PM
Post some pictures of the figures after, I am intrigued to see how this stuff works out. I want to buy some stuff to rechrome a few things.

...and we're back.

Here's Kickback and Steeljaw with Spraypak chrome paint on their wings and weapons.

1695

Sorry for the dodgy pic - our home camera is not the best and does not have a macro function that I can find.
For reference, Kickback's gun is in original condition and Steeljaw's legs are well-worn.
The spray chrome is not as shiny as the original chrome but it does go on smoothly and evenly (so far!) and is better than patches of yellow where the original chrome has worn off.

And for another comparison: Universe Sunstreaker's gun/exhaust pipe, one spray-chromed, one untouched.

1696

Visions of homemade Henkei are now dancing in my head....

1AZRAEL1
22nd April 2010, 03:17 PM
Here's Kickback and Steeljaw with Spraypak chrome paint on their wings and weapons.

Sorry for the dodgy pic - our home camera is not the best and does not
The spray chrome is not as shiny as the original chrome but it does do on smoothly and evenly (so far!) and is better than patches of yellow where the original chrome has worn off.

That's not too bad at all. Now it seems I have to go out and buy some of this of my own. Not too expensive as well. Will be interesting to see if you have to spray them again sometime down the track as mentioned earlier with some paints.

lcz128
22nd April 2010, 08:59 PM
For complicated surfaces, hasegawa ain't perfect, but for relatively flat surfaces, it sure works a treat!!!
This is the henkei version with hasegawa mirror finish foil added on!
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/lcz128_photos/Transformers/520e9fa3.jpg
(that's stl helping me hold it up for the photo)

gamblor916
4th August 2010, 07:34 PM
There's an auction (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220647188599&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT) for Kosutte Ginsan on ebay and HLJ (http://www.hlj.com/product/WRK00251) has it on back order.

bruticus
5th August 2010, 12:19 AM
There's an auction (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220647188599&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT) for Kosutte Ginsan on ebay and HLJ (http://www.hlj.com/product/WRK00251) has it on back order.
thanks for the heads up.
i just bought a bunch from HLJ. just need to wait for the back order to get sorted and bam...i'll be chroming everything!! (most likely all my fingers and the inside of my lungs if im not careful :p)

lcz128
6th August 2010, 12:17 PM
Aye! Thanks for the heads up gamblor!! I also placed an order that night. (:

Doubledealer
29th September 2010, 10:54 PM
Don't bother waiting for HLJ chaps, I ordered the stuff from Hobby Search yesterday and it shipped today. Enjoy! http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10011510

kaiden
30th September 2010, 11:02 PM
hey loophole, where did you get that chroming pen? i want to chrome my lockdown.