Chrome Paint Ala McLaren F1

[Scott]

I ran across some pictures of 1:1 cars painted with chrome like paint. The stuff runs about $1300 a gallon and I don't know how well it holds up. It sprays like many of the color-changing paints out there. First coat is black then a special clear and then the chrome. I wonder if Cobra Colors would consider selling the stuff in small quantities?

http://alsacorp.com/products/mirrac...ra_prodinfo.htm

http://www.opentrackaction.com/shared_images/IMG_0196.jpg

http://www.opentrackaction.com/shared_images/sema14.jpg

[crispy]

The ultimate in bling.
As far as Leon selling it, couldn't we use Alclad? Or were you thinking this stuff might hold up better than alclad? I can see where handling a model with alclad would wear the shine off. Hmm....

[Zoom Zoom]

Alclad SUCKS because you cannot clearcoat over it! There are about three people alive that can get good results with it, and you can't touch the stuff after it's applied. I've tried, and always been disappointed with it's lack of durability over any black, including enamel. Okay, I haven't tried Humbrol black, but at this point I'm not inclined to bother. Read on...

This Alsa chrome paint is meant to be cleared; they specifically say with a low-solvent clear. Low solvent clears still haven't worked for me on Alclad.

There is a company that sells it in smaller hobby-sized kits. 2 oz. kit with black undercoat and 2-component clear goes for $60. It's supposedly enough to cover one square foot of material. Sounds like it would do about 2-3 car bodies, or a lot of bumpers/wheels.

However, this is where it gets interesting. Alsa has the same chrome paint about to come out in a spray can. It's called "Killer Chrome", it's the same stuff but in a spray bomb, and it covers a lot more (like 24 sq. feet) for a lot less. A can of it will be $30. We're getting a can when it debuts to test it. Let's hope it beats the crap out of Alclad.

They say it can be applied over any good gloss black, and clearcoat with any low-solvent clear. We'll test ASAP when we get a can. I called their tech support, and that's where I got the information. Easy to talk w/a techical rep for more info.

http://www.alsacorp.com/products/killercans/killercans_prodinfo.htm

[Matt Wadlinger]

The Alsacorp stuff is very very durable.

There is a vid on thier site that shows them spraying it on a plastic part and then twisting the heck out of the part and it didn't chip, flake or crack, and still kept it's mirror like qualitys..

[Zoom Zoom]

Here's a link to the full kit ($58.90/black/chrome/clear) I mentioned:

http://www.kustomrides.com/xcart/MirraChrome-FULL-Kits-p-214.html

Coast Airbrush also offers small quantities, 2 oz. of just the Mirrachrome is $35.

http://www.coastairbrush.com/pages/57.html

One way or anther I feel that dealing with Alclad Chrome or getting parts replated will become unnecessary :)

It's about 10-20% less reflective than full "real" chrome, and I find most kit chrome (especially replated) is too reflective. This stuff should have a better scale appearance.

[Scott]

One way or anther I feel that dealing with Alclad Chrome or getting parts replated will become unnecessary :)

It's about 10-20% less reflective than full "real" chrome, and I find most kit chrome (especially replated) is too reflective. This stuff should have a better scale appearance.

So Bob, you've already been researching this stuff? I'm glad to hear that it's available in smaller quantities.

You can see from the Supra picture, that it is a little less reflective than true chrome, but I agree with you, this stuff would look better on models than traditional plating.

I may be getting ahead of myself, but I wonder how this paint would work as a base for HOK Candies? It would look amazing if it was compatible.

[crispy]

Thanks for the info Bob.
Add number four to your Alclad list. I have had excellent results in using it.
However, I've only used it on a model kit one time. After that I have used it in 1:1 enviroment with good results. Wear has been minimal with use.

I will say if this stuff comes out, it'll definitely be the chrome product to get. Cost is a bit much, but then again, for the stuff we all use it for, it'll be worth the price.

Keep us in the loop about this stuff! Thanks for reearching it.
Chris

[Zoom Zoom]

Yes, I looked into it recently when the subject came up on another board, Bob Cline was the one who informed us of the new spray can product and if we knew anything about it. He's in w/me and Wayne splitting the cost of a can of the Killer Chrome to see if it will work. We'll find out soon enough. It should be hitting the market any day; three weeks ago they said the first week of August. I'll probably call them early next week. Maybe see if there's a local distributor.

From what I've seen and heard, it works really well, even for hobbiests. I want to see how good it applies from the can, and also transfer it to an airbrush. And then try some acrylic clears over the surface, I'd like to avoid 2-component urethane due to it's toxicity if at all possible.

The Supra looks less reflective than some other cars I've seen painted with it. One has to have impeccable bodywork to go w/the full-reflective look. I'm pretty sure that Shelby GRX (Daytona-look) coupe concept wasn't polished, but painted with this stuff. Anyone remember the chrome Chevy PU trucks from the Atlanta Olympics? They were covered in strips of adhesive chrome mylar :D

[GTmike400]

I'm pretty sure that Shelby GRX (Daytona-look) coupe concept wasn't polished, but painted with this stuff.

The GR1? I heard it was all polished aluminum.

[Zoom Zoom]

The GR1? I heard it was all polished aluminum.

That's what they said, but it was way too perfect for me to believe. Just because it was in a press release doesn't make it the truth :eek: :D I'll wager it may have been aluminum, and the coating over the Mirra Chrome was polished, and well...you know the rest. Nobody makes bumper covers out of polished aluminum, that was another clue.

It was at the show this year painted silver w/Tungsten stripes.

[Scott]

Same thing witth the new Jag XJ when they displayed it in bare aluminum. The bumper covers had to be painted with something

[Firehawk]

By federal law, chrome cars are illegal; it would suck having to repaint your car after spending $1300/gallon on it...