Chrome Powder coat opinions?

[cknaak]

Hi, Has anyone had their Aluminum window trim Chrome powder coated?

I've been looking all over the place locally for someone who bright dip anodize my trim and I'm striking out big time. One company offered Chrome powder coating(which I have not seen in person) as an option. It sounds intriguing as it would be very durable and much cheaper but I would be concerned the finish and shine would be no where close to the bright dip anodize or chrome.

Really not sure what to do. If you have any experience with this or pictures of projects you've done using Chrome powder coat I would greatly appreciate it.

Also, if you have any alternative ideas or suggestions I would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks.

[tctnd]

As the former owner of a powder coating business I can assure you that no powder coating really looks like chrome. From 25 feet it might pass for the original bright anodize (which also doesn't resemble chrome) and could be a good choice if you are on a budget and originality is not a concern. As for durability, it is an organic coating and much softer than chrome or anodize.
Just for the record, the term "powder coating" is often misused and confused with high performance (metallic, ceramic, etc.) coatings which are horses of an entirely different color. Generally speaking, decorative powder coating uses chemistry closely related to conventional paints but dispenses with their solvents by using the dry, electrostatic application process rather than wet spraying.

regards,
Phil

[cknaak]

So lets take the word chrome out of the discussion. Could a chrome Powdercoat finish resemble the the original bright dip or even a polished aluminum finish?

Budget isnt necessarily the driving factor here. Its the availability of someone who can "bright dip anodize" Also, this is going on a "restomod" or "hotrod" 911 so originality isnt a paramount concern. I'm looking for bang for the buck with a quality finish. If I can get an OE finish that doesn't take 6 months to get my parts back and also happens to be much cheaper then I'm all over it.

However, If it looks like crap up close I'm not interested in powdercoat and thats what I'm trying to understand. Thanks for the response.

[Elombard]

Jaime there in Austin had his trim chrome powder coated. It looked ok in pictures. But as I recall he was not super thrilled. I cant remember his screen name, he would be a good resource. I guess you dont want to ship your trim out for bright dipping?

[cknaak]

Originally Posted by Elombard

Jaime there in Austin had his trim chrome powder coated. It looked ok in pictures. But as I recall he was not super thrilled. I cant remember his screen name, he would be a good resource. I guess you dont want to ship your trim out for bright dipping?

I dont know Jamie, if you remember his screen name that would be helpful so I could ask him about it.

I've actually found a company that can do it but they only work with commercial customers on large batch jobs which stinks!

I'm not opposed to shipping it off but the only company really mentioned on this board is King of Trim and they seem to get mixed reviews. Any suggestions would also be appreciated.

[Elombard]

His screen name is jpnovak.

I dont specifically remember any of the places that do bright trim plating. I think a guy here in GA had it done. his screen name is w21055, try looking him up. His trim looks beautiful to me.

[manbridge 74]

You are going to have to dig this solution out of the dirt. I'd suggest Mexico. Long arm of the EPA hasn't reached there. Yet.

[Cooper911SC]

Reid Metal Finishing in Santa Ana CA does bright anodize.

(714) 549-3771

I have never used them for this process, but have used them several times for Cad. plating.

Cooper

[tctnd]

I don't think it would look "like crap" up close; if done properly it could look very good. just be aware that it is essentially a "painted" finish, albeit a pretty tough one. In my experience, installation of the front and rear glass involves a bit of trim massaging with a mallet to get everything smooth and fitting properly. Even the toughest coating will only take so much impact and bending before it parts company with the base. I'm not trying to dissuade you as I think this could be done successfully with good results; just be aware of the potential problems before you make a judgment.
regards,
Phil

[cknaak]

Originally Posted by tctnd

I don't think it would look "like crap" up close; if done properly it could look very good. just be aware that it is essentially a "painted" finish, albeit a pretty tough one. In my experience, installation of the front and rear glass involves a bit of trim massaging with a mallet to get everything smooth and fitting properly. Even the toughest coating will only take so much impact and bending before it parts company with the base. I'm not trying to dissuade you as I think this could be done successfully with good results; just be aware of the potential problems before you make a judgment.
regards,
Phil

Thanks Phil, definitely trying to get all feedback so I can make the best decision I'm actually just buying new trim for the front and rear as my car was missing those piece when purchased. I'll just be doing this to the side glass trim which doesn't require any bending or pounding to install.

Another thought was just to polish the hell out of this stuff and have it clear anodized or or apply a sealer like this:

Sharkhide aluminum sealer and protectant

Obviously polishing it will be a lot more work.

[tctnd]

Polishing it and clear anodizing is the original finish, the so called "bright dip".
regards,
Phil

[merbesfield]

If you do all the prep, ie sanding and polishing to perfection, you should be able to find someone to do bright dip anodization.

[cknaak]

Originally Posted by tctnd

Polishing it and clear anodizing is the original finish, the so called "bright dip".
regards,
Phil

Oh really? I though Bright dip was its on special color/process just like they have various colors of anodize.

Hell, if I just need to find someone to do clear anodize that shouldn't be so hard. Am I missing something here?

[merbesfield]

Originally Posted by cknaak

Oh really? I though Bright dip was its on special color/process just like they have various colors of anodize.

Hell, if I just need to find someone to do clear anodize that shouldn't be so hard. Am I missing something here?

I am far from an expert, but an expert did tell me that if I do the prep and polishing, they will do the anodizing. The problem is that most do not want to handle the minutia related to getting a part ready to dip. Most places are very large production facilities. Call around.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by cknaak

I though Bright dip was its on special color/process .........

This is getting interesting.

tctnd has some good info. Not that I am a pro but he sure seems to make sense.

Based on the link below you guys (cknaak and tctnd) are both a little bit off. Not that I know for sure how, but the bright dip appears to be a process, not a color. Maybe that is what Porsche uses?

Bowers Mfg Aluminum Anodize, Brite Dip, Gold, Back, Anodizer

Dig into this topic and I think you will find your answer.

Don't bother with powder coating. I was not impressed with how well the "chrome" powder coating stood up on my intake runners. Solvents (starting fluid looking for air leaks) beat on the finish. Not horribly, but some degradation of the shine over time.

Also, powder coating is more of a melted plastic than a chemical bond of metal.

[tctnd]

"Brite dip", which sounds like a proprietary name, may very well include some additional preparation step like electropolishing (if someone knows please shout out) but I'm pretty sure it just amounts to clear anodized polished aluminum. All the colors are dyes that are applied after the anodizing is complete. I was a powder coater, not an anodizer, so it would be nice if someone with hands on trade experience could chime in.
regards,
Phil

[Arne2]

When I was shopping for an anodizer, I was told by several shops that "bright dip" was a different process, but still technically an anodizing process. Not the same as clear anodizing. I found that not all anodizers do the "bright dip". I never did get a good explanation of the difference, however.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by tctnd

but I'm pretty sure it just amounts to clear anodized polished aluminum.

Hey, Phil. Thanks for your input. Anybody that has extended experience is an asset to this board.

[cknaak]

I spoke to several shops in the Austin area that do many different types of Anodizing and not one could do "Bright Dip" anodizing. Additionally not one of them offered an alternative such as polishing the aluminum and clear anodizing it. That's why I assume its a totally different process with a unique finish. The only alternative offered was the chrome powder coat finish.

Here's another question...Is there not a process to chrome aluminum?

[Arne2]

There's a couple of places here in Oregon that do bright dip. But after reviewing the info, I'm not sure how durable the finish is.

Pioneer Metal Finishing - Bright Dip Anodizing