Asked on Nov 21, 2016
Chroming a plastic toy
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I'm not intending to offend anyone.
My son passed away recently at the age of 27. His passion was riding his 4-wheeler ATV. My husband insists on keeping the ashes here. Here is my question.
I want to adhere a toy quad onto box of ashes and have it chromed or to look as if was chromed. Similar to having your baby shoes bronzed.
Any ideas?
My son passed away recently at the age of 27. His passion was riding his 4-wheeler ATV. My husband insists on keeping the ashes here. Here is my question.
I want to adhere a toy quad onto box of ashes and have it chromed or to look as if was chromed. Similar to having your baby shoes bronzed.
Any ideas?
My son Arlo on his quad at Yuma dunes.
I can't imagine your loss and I know doing this project will make you feel better. I googled "small replica four wheelers" and several came up. (You might want to also check ToysRus or Walmart too.) They are not chrome, but you can buy chrome (silver) paint for plastics...Rustoleum....tape off the wheels and spray it. Then hot glue it to your box. With it getting no wear, it should work fine! You could glue a small photo frame on the toy and put his photo in it! Please post the results!
There are many paint products out there and another thing to try would be nail polish. Get 'other' plastic toys to practice on until get the result you want. Sorry for you loss.
Im so very sorry for your loss. I also lost a child, my 8 yr old daughter MIA was struck by a car, this JANUARY will be 11yrs. There is no greater pain. If there is anything you need or any advise I can have help you with. I my self, still have a very hard time dealing with her loss.May god bless you
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Hi so sorry for ur lost.I pray total peace in ur life blessings.
So sad for your loss.
This probably will not be of use to you but I just wanted to mention it out of interest...some years ago I read a book called 'surely you're joking mr feynman' and he mentions there was a technique for actually chroming plastic
Try a trophy shop... They may have just the ATV already in chrome...
I lost my only child, my daughter, at the age of 28. One week from today will be 9 years. It gets easier....but then again, it doesn't. I am so sorry for your loss. As many here apparently know, there is no greater loss than that of your child, regardless of his/her age. May G-d give you the comfort only He can give. Your idea is wonderful and offends no one. You have already gotten many good suggestions...I just wish to express my condolences. Bless you at this very difficult season.
You cannot 'chrome' plastic. Chroming can only be done to metal, and involves a high-heat process that would melt any kind of plastic or cheap metal attached to the box. (I'm assuming that it is some kind of metal?) Some silver paints--if done correctly--can yield a good 'chrome-like' result; especially if you go over it with a spray gloss clear-coat. If should look ok, if it isn't handled too much; however, some clear-coats tend to 'yellow' as the age.
I agree with Wanza. I believe a good trophy shop will set you up with something special. They can adapt trophy tops to various urns and do custom engraving etc. Most tops are done in gold, but in my opinion I think they would look just as good. The following link is an example of one of the shops ATV's.
http://www.hrtrophies.com/pd_atv_trophy_figure.cfm
http://ja.wikidoc.org/index.php/Electroplating
One of the American physicist Richard Feynman's first projects was to develop technology for electroplating metal onto plastic. Feynman developed the original idea of his friend into a successful invention, allowing his employer (and friend) to keep commercial promises he had made but could not have fulfilled otherwise.[6]
I'm very sorry about your loss. How one remembers their loved ones never requires an apology, as you must do what you must to deal with your loss. May your beliefs sustain you now and in the future.
I offer my thoughts on how to "chrome" a plastic object. Have you thought of finding the glue and silver leaflet papers? I've used gold leaflet with good effect. As another commenter recommended, try a couple of small test pieces first before deciding.
God be with you.
Check with an auto graphics shop. They may be able to chrome wrap or dip your pieces. My condolences on your loss.
I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my son when he was 36, the victim of a lightening strike. How you choose to remember your son is up to you - only you know what will make him smile. I have nothing to offer regarding your question, but I sincerely hope you find a solution that gives you comfort
Yes ! As someone said you can't Chrome Plastic !. But if you paint in silver , you must use a good undercoat first !. All so you could cover in cooking "tin" foil !. The next thing to try is covering in glue , then a silver Sprinkle of something !?.
Hope this gives you a few Ideas !!??.
Sincere condolences and a Spiritual Hug.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL4IYoxJqu4
This You tube shows different brands of spray paint. Please watch
We have made models out of balsa wood, plastic and fabric... and Testors was the only one available when we were young... in the 50's and 60's
We rode vintage motorcycles up till last year, lots of parts were 'chromed' using 'high-heat' spray paint.
I can highly recommend spray paint, just use a mask for your nose and spray outdoor. retouch with a fine tip paintbrush
Buy a duplicate of the toy you want to "chrome" & try spray mirror paint. Or as suggested a trophy shop might have just what you need. So sorry for your loss. Let us know what worked for you?
Sorry for your loss! Try you tube for Spectra Chrome .com This is a fairly new process for painting virtually anything (Even a stuffed Alligator) . I think this will do exactly what you want. God bless you all !
Further to my last post re the technique by Feynman for electro plating plastic If memory serves they were using the technique for plastic car wheel trims, the first invention failed and loads of them started crumbling and had to be recalled I am sure they got it right the second time...I like the idea mentioned earlier about trying to wrap it in some kind of foil..we used to do that with coins as children
Just had another thought if it hasn't been mentioned...Could a three dimensional print be made of it in something that can be chromed?
I'm very sorry for your loss. There are companies who can chrome plate plastic. They've been doing it for literally decades for model car parts. I don't know how to locate them, but I'd try an online search, especially companies which restore antique and classic cars. Some of the plastic was chrome plated in older cars.
We should rename this thread 'Chrometalk'
Bit confusing as wiki also claims that plastic can be chromed (and yet a few on here think it cannot be done")
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrome_plating
Chrome plating (less commonly chromium plating), often referred to simply as chrome, is a technique of electroplating a thin layer of chromium onto a metal or plastic object. The chromed layer can be decorative, provide corrosion resistance, ease cleaning procedures, or increase surface hardness. Sometimes a less expensive imitator of chrome may be used for aesthetic purposes.
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I'm so sorry for your loss.
When I was younger my friends sister passed away, and her family had several items of hers bronzed. I know many of the companies that bronze shoes will also silver plate and some times use other metals. It may worth calling a place near you that does silver or bronze plating and see which metals they work worth.
While they probably can't do chrome, there are a number of metals that look similar to chrome, or possibly you can nickel plate it and then chrome that if your very attached to the idea of chroming it.
Rust-O-leum makes some very nice metallic paints that you can spray on just about anything.
Condolences on your loss. They've spray paint in chrome and gold.. Walmart I know has it.. It shines like mercury glass silver after applied! If it's an older toy though a clear coat after might be needed, not for the paint itself underneath could loosen which loosens the paint on top.
A technique that I have used. To chrome, maybe the bumper on a toy car. Paint a coat of varnish on the area to be chromed. Let it dry thoroughly. Paint another coat of varnish and let it dry but NOT to a hard finish. With a soft rag rub silver bronzing power into the fresh/but dry varnish. It will shine like chrome. You may need to practice the technique on something expendable. Then put a final varnish finish to protect the silver from oxidation. Good luck with the project and I am so sorry for your loss.
I found "chrome" spray paint in the auto body store. It's used for chrome vehicle bumpers. About $6 per can.
I am so very sorry for your profound lost. There's no greater loss than that of your child. All these ideas are good, but I didn't see one for having the little toy powder coated. Powder coating businesses usually have about a dozen different coatings from which to choose, including a chrome finish, and such a finish would last forever. It should not cost very much at all; have the shop give you and estimate and tell them exactly why you need it. Depending on the shop, they should be very sympathetic and understanding. I know the shop in my town would be. Best of luck in your quest.
Thank you all for trying to help this mom in her time of grief. I know what it's like to lose a son. It's something you never quite get over. Best wishes to you Jane Oliver Boone.
So sorry to hear of your loss. As a mother of an only child (son) about this age, I can only imagine your grief. On a lovely note: This is such a wonderful way to celebrate his life! Have you thought about the silver (looking glass) spray paint?I think this may give you the look you're after.
Best wishes and may God give you strength during your difficult time.