Chromed Halo shells? I call shens...

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  • Pneumagger
    I like 'Mags.

    • Jun 2006
    • 3556

    #16
    yes plastic can be chrome plated and conductance is not much of a hurdle. The surface is impregnated with a material conducive to bonding metals. A thin copper film is then deposited on the surface. Copper accepts other metals very readily to be vacuum deposited onto it which is why it is a common base for VDM (vacuum deposited metals). A metal of your choice is then vaccuum deposited on the base copper in a layer of only a dozen or so angtroms thick. So thickness of a vaccum deposited material usually is not an issue.

    A common substitute for chrome plating on plastic (or other metals for that fact) is a vacuum depostited nickel which is a safer and cheaper process. However, a silver vacuum deposited surface with a thin protective overcoat of PTFE or AOC will provide the best reflectivity and shine, but nearly no one deposits silver for small batch parts. If you really want some eyepopping, use a dichroic film overcoat (aurora look) or a gold vacuum deposit (bling look). I've seen this stuff on plastics and man does it look cool. I wish I could post some pictures of these last two, but I wouldn't be allowed

    A different method that most consider true chrome plating involves the same basic steps as before where a compound is applied to the plastic, a copper base is added, then nickel. However, once the nickel is added, the piece is now conductive and can be traditionally chromium plated. This process provides a noticably thicker but more durable finish. This surface is more prone to chipping rather than scuffing or scratching.

    A quick google search showed 2 companies that each use one of the mentioned methods.

    Vacuum Coating: http://www.cvvacuumplaters.com/
    Plating: http://www.aki.co.uk/page/chrome_plating
    Last edited by Pneumagger; 07-17-2006, 07:36 AM.

    Comment

    • slateman
      Registered User
      • Oct 2001
      • 1346

      #17
      Damn . . . thats hot
      BrockSampson "I see dead people..."



      and once I see them, I make sweet, sweet love...

      Comment

      • Rudz
        Registered User

        • Apr 2005
        • 5087

        #18
        damn

        Ill take a set, I'm not into diving and sliding, so I could care less, what you expect me to superman on guns with custom anno? Ill sit in back and cover the lanes.
        BEO MAFIA
        sigpic

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        • MoeMag
          Still here.
          • Dec 2005
          • 1821

          #19
          Originally posted by Pneumagger
          yes plastic can be chrome plated and conductance is not much of a hurdle. The surface is impregnated with a material conducive to bonding metals. A thin copper film is then deposited on the surface. Copper accepts other metals very readily to be vacuum deposited onto it which is why it is a common base for VDM (vacuum deposited metals). A metal of your choice is then vaccuum deposited on the base copper in a layer of only a dozen or so angtroms thick. So thickness of a vaccum deposited material usually is not an issue.

          A common substitute for chrome plating on plastic (or other metals for that fact) is a vacuum depostited nickel which is a safer and cheaper process. However, a silver vacuum deposited surface with a thin protective overcoat of PTFE or AOC will provide the best reflectivity and shine, but nearly no one deposits silver for small batch parts. If you really want some eyepopping, use a dichroic film overcoat (aurora look) or a gold vacuum deposit (bling look). I've seen this stuff on plastics and man does it look cool. I wish I could post some pictures of these last two, but I wouldn't be allowed

          A different method that most consider true chrome plating involves the same basic steps as before where a compound is applied to the plastic, a copper base is added, then nickel. However, once the nickel is added, the piece is now conductive and can be traditionally chromium plated. This process provides a noticably thicker but more durable finish. This surface is more prone to chipping rather than scuffing or scratching.

          A quick google search showed 2 companies that each use one of the mentioned methods.

          Vacuum Coating: http://www.cvvacuumplaters.com/
          Plating: http://www.aki.co.uk/page/chrome_plating
          Thanks for the info... learn something everyday.


          Well I have a polished gold ego waiting for me in boston this weekend (I love my job!!! pics asap! ) and it is getting green accent parts on it. Anyway I have been trying to figure out what kind of hopper shell would match the awsome bling of it . I have had the same cruddy blue shell for some time now and they are well past their time. I have been thinking green but IDK. Though I do still play mostly bush ball, so my hopper needs to be somewhat versitale.

          If these are made avalible within a week or two I might pick one up depending on price I suppose 60 is fair but I would have to think about it.

          Comment

          • manike
            INCEPTIONDESIGNS.COM

            • Jan 2001
            • 3820

            #20
            I had some chrome halo shells done a year or so back. Trouble is they didn't hold up too well to scratches. Hopefully yours will do better.
            Inception Designs - My new company where Innovation is the Inspiration

            Comment

            • RapidTransit
              E-Body Man
              • Jun 2004
              • 400

              #21
              Plastic chroming, spray it with paint impregnated with conductive particles, when testing with a multimeter the paint will show no conductivity but not to worry its all there. Then it gets chromed. Its fairly straightforward... Which reminds me I need to get all my plastic peices rechromed on the Challenger Maybe I can throw in a shell on "accident" oops

              Chromed plastic does not really hold up atleast from what I see but then again I am talking about what I see in Chrysler cars... 36 years of abuse with a chromed bumper still holds up better then plastic chromed in areas typically that see no wear like a guage bezel.
              Gun: AGD eMag with LvL10
              Cars: 1991 Lexus LS400. 1970 Plymouth 'Cuda 440-4, Auto, 1 of 816. 1970 Dodge Challenger 318 S/E, soon to be a 440-6 with a 5 speed, and painted Sublime green

              Comment

              • Pneumagger
                I like 'Mags.

                • Jun 2006
                • 3556

                #22
                the durability is really dependant on a few things.

                First and foremost is the base plastic. The best plastic I know of to chrome with either the vaccum deposit or electroplating is a hight density ABS plastic. I believe Acetals (Delrin) and Noylons make durable bases also. I think halo shells are a derivative of polycarbonates? Not sure how durable the coat is on polycarbonates.

                Obviously the quality of the process is a large factor. This includes how clean was the plastic, purity of materials, thickness, uniformity, and what protective coating is aplied.

                Finally, how nice is the gun that is using the chromed halo? A good gun is incentive for the chrome to want to stay around a bit longer. Wouldn't you?
                Last edited by Pneumagger; 07-17-2006, 01:24 PM.

                Comment

                • manike
                  INCEPTIONDESIGNS.COM

                  • Jan 2001
                  • 3820

                  #23
                  Yes, halo shells are polycarbonate.
                  Inception Designs - My new company where Innovation is the Inspiration

                  Comment

                  • Meph
                    AO's Tippmann Guy
                    • Aug 2002
                    • 737

                    #24
                    Those do look quite nice. And I'm skeptical about a finish holding up in paintball but open to give it a shot. However for $60 bucks... it's nice but not that nice. Maybe chrome hybrid shells for $60, but regular shells can't.

                    But that's just me. Hope they indeed do hold up as well as planned.

                    Comment

                    • Chaos_Theory!

                      #25
                      Must have, it would look sweet as hell on my gloss silver Ion.

                      Comment

                      • phatphil
                        www.softearmods.com
                        • Mar 2005
                        • 59

                        #26
                        Looks nice, but I can't imagine you will sell many at $60+.

                        Comment

                        • Pha|anx
                          PB United / Euro Freelance
                          • May 2005
                          • 1073

                          #27
                          Originally posted by phatphil
                          Looks nice, but I can't imagine you will sell many at $60+.
                          SPO sells shells for that much, Hybrid's are pretty close in cost as well.

                          Everyone else I will try and answer as I have time.

                          Comment

                          • Pha|anx
                            PB United / Euro Freelance
                            • May 2005
                            • 1073

                            #28
                            Originally posted by topazpaintball
                            Will you do custom plating for parts, say, a superstock pump?
                            PM me what you are looking to get done. No promise but I will see what I can do.

                            Originally posted by Astron
                            I am sure its not thick enough to effect paint in the feed tube, but still am currious.
                            Forgetting something are we? We plate the shells not the drive assembly.

                            Originally posted by Pneumagger
                            A quick google search showed 2 companies that each use one of the mentioned methods.
                            Good research.... I will say it again we use a one of a kind process. Good try though!

                            Originally posted by manike
                            I had some chrome halo shells done a year or so back. Trouble is they didn't hold up too well to scratches. Hopefully yours will
                            Your the guy from NPS right? Or somehow associated with NPS R&D?

                            Originally posted by RapidTransit
                            Plastic chroming, spray it with paint impregnated with conductive particles, when testing with a multimeter the paint will show no conductivity but not to worry its all there. Then it gets chromed. Its fairly straightforward...
                            Nope... That is the cheap way to do it.

                            Originally posted by Pneumagger
                            This includes how clean was the plastic, purity of materials, thickness, uniformity, and what protective coating is aplied.
                            The shells in the pictures were an old set of beat up Empire shells. Nnew shells should look even better!




                            More info to come... Weights, new pictures, etc...

                            Comment

                            • manike
                              INCEPTIONDESIGNS.COM

                              • Jan 2001
                              • 3820

                              #29
                              Yes, I work for NPS in R&D. We were messing with chroming shells when working in the UV night halo for shooting glow in the dark paint.
                              Inception Designs - My new company where Innovation is the Inspiration

                              Comment

                              • Pha|anx
                                PB United / Euro Freelance
                                • May 2005
                                • 1073

                                #30
                                Originally posted by manike
                                Yes, halo shells are polycarbonate.
                                Polycarbonate or ABS polycarbonate?

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