The Energon Pub

I remember reading a post on another forum a while back about how some guy re-chromed some weapons. The topic wasn't about that specifically, so he didn't go in to details. And I didn't think to ask, but now I'm curious. Is there anyway to get your TF chrome close to looking new again?

People have sworn by a particular brand of spray on chrome paint and varnish with a gloss black undercoat. Unfortunately I can't for the life of me remember the name.

There is a solution. You can have the pieces in question painted the way they originally were by sending them away to be professionally vacuum metalized. There are several shops out there that specialize in this kind of work, painting chrome parts for the model car market.

I sent the unpainted accessories that came with the TRU reissues, and some warn vintage G1 weapons, to a place called Chrome Tech (http://www.chrometechusa.com/). The results were fantastic. In fact, the vacuum metalizing was a much better quality job than the chrome on the originals -- look at the mirror-like plastic chrome parts on a Blackberry phone for comparison.

Excellent information! I've bookmarked the web site just in case I need to re-chrome anything in the future.

Very cool. Thanks for the info.

Broody Cuss wrote:There is a solution. You can have the pieces in question painted the way they originally were by sending them away to be professionally vacuum metalized. There are several shops out there that specialize in this kind of work, painting chrome parts for the model car market.

I sent the unpainted accessories that came with the TRU reissues, and some warn vintage G1 weapons, to a place called Chrome Tech (http://www.chrometechusa.com/). The results were fantastic. In fact, the vacuum metalizing was a much better quality job than the chrome on the originals -- look at the mirror-like plastic chrome parts on a Blackberry phone for comparison.

How much do they charge for something like that? Sounds expensive.

GuyIncognito wrote:

Broody Cuss wrote:There is a solution. You can have the pieces in question painted the way they originally were by sending them away to be professionally vacuum metalized. There are several shops out there that specialize in this kind of work, painting chrome parts for the model car market.

I sent the unpainted accessories that came with the TRU reissues, and some warn vintage G1 weapons, to a place called Chrome Tech (http://www.chrometechusa.com/). The results were fantastic. In fact, the vacuum metalizing was a much better quality job than the chrome on the originals -- look at the mirror-like plastic chrome parts on a Blackberry phone for comparison.

How much do they charge for something like that? Sounds expensive.

Chrome Tech charges $2 a piece average. Larger pieces are more.

Here are some images of pieces I've had done:

Frenzy's (or Rumble if you prefer) thruster guns


Shrapnel's gun


All of the chrome on Overdrive...including his legs, wheels, and weapons

I also asked about gold chrome and they said they can do it, although I've never tested anything.

I've probably had about 100 pieces vacuum metalized (not just TF's) and all with great results.

The results of the chrome work speaks for itself. Good stuff! The chroming price seems reasonable too.

I'd like to get the crome on my G2 Prime done.

Wow! That's friggin' awesome!

I figured someone out there could re-chrome the parts, but I didn't expect it to be so cheap. Between that and Reprolabels, you can really revive an old figure. I'm much more likely to buy a worn TF, now that I have this information.

Thanks!

I'm blown away by not only how amazing those results are, but by how inexpensive it is. I'm so glad I posted this topic. I never expected that I could have my parts professionally vacuum metalized. I was just looking for a quick fix. And it's very exciting that they do gold. I already have a few parts in mind for that.

One last question; after you ship the parts out, how long does it take to get them back?

XenoStryker wrote:I'm blown away by not only how amazing those results are, but by how inexpensive it is. I'm so glad I posted this topic. I never expected that I could have my parts professionally vacuum metalized. I was just looking for a quick fix. And it's very exciting that they do gold. I already have a few parts in mind for that.

One last question; after you ship the parts out, how long does it take to get them back?

It usually takes at least a month or more to get your pieces back once you send them. That's really the only downside, but no longer than it takes reprolabels.

I've worked with a guy named Bob at ChromeTech. He prefers to communicate over the phone. I'll send him my pieces and he calls me back with an estimate. I then mail him payment, including return shipping, and he sends them back. Never had any issues.

One more thing you should be aware of if you decide to get your old pieces professionally vacuum metalized:

Just like when the pieces were originally vacuum metalized, there is sometimes a small unpainted part where the piece was connected to a mounting for painting (like the little nub left over when you remove a piece from its sprue). ChromeTech will sometimes use a small wire attached in an inconspicuous place (bottom of a gun post or an existing hole on the back of a part) to mount the piece for painting. I've never had a problem with this. They seem to know which side is the 'show side' when they need to do this.

If you have any concern, send a few samples for testing. That's what I did the first time.

Here are some more pics of pieces I've had chromed:

Ravage missiles and Mirage spoiler flaps:


Originally unpainted weapons that came with TRU Bluestreak/Silverstreak: