Turn signal lens refresh - how to get the right silver trim?

[wjdunham]

Done a bunch of searching, phone calls, trial and error and I am pretty much out of ideas..
Trying to restore the turn signal lenses on my '69 as the silver trim is pretty shot. I've been able to strip the old finish without damaging the plastic, but have not found a suitable method to get the chrome-like finish. Several different spray paints that claim to be up to the task just come out like silver spray paint, not a mirror chrome finish. I've investigated vapor deposition which seems like it would yield a proper result, but can't find anyone to do a small batch job.

There is one spray on product from ALSA that might be worth a try, but before I spend the $99 would like to hear if there is a better/cheaper way or if anyone has tried this stuff:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/796086727/alsa-mirrachrome?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_a-craft_supplies_and_tools-paints_inks_and_dyes-paint-art_paint&utm_custom1=e93054dc-330b-4baa-ac9b-d807ededaa91&utm_content=go_1843970764_76535537944_346397903485 _pla-296429078139_c__796086727&utm_custom2=1843970764&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9ZWmmI7S6wIVEfDACh1wbwhxEAQYAyAB EgK5D_D_BwE

Thanks as always!
Bill

[eastbay]

I would be tempted to try some chrome wrap, 1'x5' strip on ebay for less than $10, enough to do all 4.



On my older lenses I just converted them to gloss black by painting the inside.

[GH85Carrera]

The original chrome is put on in a vacuum chamber and then vaporizing some metallic product. Not really a DYI thing. I used some reflective silver tape designed for AC duck work. It works works ok. Finally I put in the Spoke LED board and that does not matter how reflective the housing is. The LED bulb array shines out the rear of the car.

[wjdunham]

I’m trying to get the trim on the plastic lense, not the the housing which is in decent shape

[Lz7w]

Have you looked into chrome paints used on model cars? E.g., https://www.hobbyrecreationproducts.com/collections/spazstix-ultimate-mirror-chrome/products/szx10009-ultimate-mirror-chrome-aerosol

[wjdunham]

Yep, tried that exact SpazStick paint - comes out like a nice silver paint, but not really close to a mirror finish

[wjdunham]

Quick update - there is an easy solution here, Rustoleum metallic finish. I read in another thread somewhere that this was "the" product to use, so I ordered up a can not expecting much given the complete failure of the previous two products that claim to provide a mirror like finish. Well, much to my surprise the Rustoleum DOES provide a reasonable quality polished chrome like finish, certainly seems good enough for this application anyway. I just shot some on a piece of plastic I had lying around with no prep and not having the can warmed up. I will post some pics of all three products for comparison once I have a chance to put them all on the same substrate and get a proper finish. Will also post pics of my lenses once I have them painted. I plan to use this on the inside of the housing as well as the silver surround on the plastic lens.

Here are the three products I tried. The VHT product even has the same shiny chrome cover that the Rustoleum product does, but is nowhere close to that in reality.

[supersignman]

This was in the reviews on Amazon for the Rustoleum chrome paint...
Question:Can this spray work on a chrome car bumper?
Answer:There is a line in the instructions on the can that says "bright coat paints are not recommended for outdoor use'. Too bad you have to buy the can to be able to read that. It should be stated in the online description.

[wjdunham]

Originally Posted by supersignman

This was in the reviews on Amazon for the Rustoleum chrome paint...
Question:Can this spray work on a chrome car bumper?
Answer:There is a line in the instructions on the can that says "bright coat paints are not recommended for outdoor use'. Too bad you have to buy the can to be able to read that. It should be stated in the online description.

I think for this application it should be OK though - as they are not directly exposed to the elements. Either on the inside portion of the housing, or on the back side of the plastic that rests up against the rubber seal. I also plan to shoot a coat of primer over the top of the Rustoleum to protect it, as it looks like the factory did something similar over the top of the chrome-like coating that was originally on my lenses.

Bill

[wjdunham]

Maybe I jumped the gun too soon here - the Rustoleum does not seem to look right at all when shot on the back of a clear piece of plastic - the painted surface looks great, but if I flip it over and look at it from the "back side" it is a dull grey, more like a silver spray paint than chrome. There must be something going on with the paint where whatever is creating the chrome-like finish is rising to the top of the paint and the layer right on the surface does not contain the reflective elements?

This means that it should still work fine for the inner parts of the turn signal housings but not for the border of the lenses, which is shot from the back side of the lens :-(
Will try and get some pics of this later.