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Old 04-15-2007, 12:16 AM   #1
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Spray on chrome style paints

Has anyone used any of these? There are several on the market now and they would give an airstream a beutiful polished look with less maintenance (in theory) if the paint is durable enough. Any thoughts. Thanks.
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Old 04-15-2007, 05:34 AM   #2
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I am a reasonably skilled aotomotive painter with over 50 vehicles refinished and sprayed. Have asked automotive paint suppliers about chrome colours in the past and always get the same story... "Chrome like finishes are not as durable as regular automotive top coats".

If there is any other good info about this subject I would like to here about it as well.
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Old 04-15-2007, 06:39 AM   #3
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I did see good results on steel propane tanks at the Florida Can Opener Rally in January. I cannot remember who it was but I will look at the map of campsites we had and I can find out.

I commented on the tanks like there was good progress on polishing them and the owner said it was paint - they looked good. Now for the camper - I don't think it's apath I would go down. For fixtures it may be a good thing.
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Old 04-15-2007, 06:44 AM   #4
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Road Ruler, Alsacorp.com is the "leader" in the field of metal disposition finishes. I was about to test this process but have held back. I even went to the trouble of opening an account with them.
The finishes they sell are unique. Check out their site and do your due diligence. I would paint a test panel and leave it out in the elements for some time before commiting to a large project.
Bottom line is that we want and need someone who like you has the skill and knowlege to do the test for us....
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Old 04-15-2007, 07:43 AM   #5
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Thnxs for the link to Alsa Glen. Their products look very professional (and pricy) and may in fact work well for our purposes.

Just the other day I picked up a couple cans of Duplicolor mag wheel paint (silver). Wheel Coating

Wally mart had them on sale for $5. a can (cdn). I will try this in the next few weeks. I used genuine automotive paint in the past and on propane tanks but found it easily chiped. The mag wheel paint may be more durable.

Will keep the Alsa pro products in mind. May be worth a try.
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Old 04-15-2007, 09:21 AM   #6
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The problem with chrome paints is that they are nothing more than silver paint. I'm pretty certain the Alsa is the only one that is a metal disposition. The only down side is weather you can make it last. A rap star had his Lamborgini painted with Alsa product.... shows what you can do with money.
Lew raised the subject of longevity as a result of comments from a painter friend of his but we didn't get much more info from him as to how long ago he worked with Alsa, or his method of application.
If you look at the videos on their site it is pretty remarkable stuff they do.
Starting with a very glossy black surface you just dust the chrome on and it shines. You have to clear coat to protect.
Way back I actually had a gas tank for my Honda Magna black chromed. (the rapid oxidization during the chroming process was very soft and scratched easily) I caused quite a stir at Daytona in 1982.
I'm going to test the Killer Can candy apple red on my Cadillac Allante calipers when I put my new drilled and slotted rotors on..... soon.
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Old 04-15-2007, 11:15 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GlenCoombe
I'm going to test the Killer Can candy apple red on my Cadillac Allante calipers when I put my new drilled and slotted rotors on..... soon.
Sound cool... Hope to see a pic of that when it's done!
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Old 04-15-2007, 02:38 PM   #8
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I used it on propane tanks, WOW!
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Old 04-15-2007, 05:37 PM   #9
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Thanks for all the help so far. Alsacorp manufactures product that I have looked at most, and I like the results, but I still question the longevity. It's just too new. I was an auto body specialist for a few years and I have never had good results with any aerosol, but if you’re going to use them make sure you use the most coarse sanding media you can get away with. I have studied, but do not completely understand the chemical makeup of these metallic paints. That’s one of the reasons no one knows how well it'll last, especially in this type of application. The fact that it can be clear coated, however, gives me A LOT of hope. High-end clear coats can last a very long time. Especially when taken care of properly. Here is the picture of the chrome painted lambo: Alsa Corp | 50 Cent MirraChrome Lamborghini Also here is a chrome painted lexus: Chrome Lexus IS250 : Specs, reviews, prices and more.. but most of all you’ve gotta check out this BMW M3: BMW M3 with Full Chrome Paint I was hoping someone had already done this to an Airstream, but Glencoombs is right. Someone just needs to be a guinea pig and we’ll all watch for the next few years. I’m considering it, but it’s not easy considering the cost. Anyone want to donate to the cause? J I will contact Alsacorp this week and question them directly. I'll post the conversation.
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Old 04-15-2007, 06:46 PM   #10
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XJ Polished

Of course it's hard to beat polished aluminum. 2002 Paris Auto Show: Jaguar XJ
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Old 04-15-2007, 09:59 PM   #11
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Wow, that is beutiful. Imagine what it will be like to polish that every month.

I will polish my airstream before I will paint it with regular automotive paint. I understand the motivation to paint due to less maintenance, but I like the airstream AL look. If I can get this spray chrome paint to work it will be the only paint I will use.
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Old 04-16-2007, 04:39 AM   #12
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Coby, I talked to them after Lew posted his comments via his painter. It seemed his painter had some experience way back with some finish by Alsa. The technician I spoke with was very informative and gave me lots of insight. I asked about feathering areas together as working something as large as our projects would be daunting to say the least.

I can help with cost of materials.... wholesale vs. retail...

LI Pets, I can't wait to see those tanks this week.
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Old 04-16-2007, 06:17 AM   #13
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Hi Gang,

Thought I might chime in again on this one. My friend has owned an auto body shop for 25 years. He also builds award winning custom motorcycles, so I don't doubt his word or his experience and technical abilities.

He tried the Mirra Chrome product, following the directions explicitely and clear-coated it per instruction. He used it on a motorcycle he was building. He was not satisfied with the results, as the mirror finish began to fade after a short while, and he contacted the Alsa Co. and got his investment returned for materials and a re-paint allowance as well.

I don't recall when it was, but I can find out as Alsa may have re-formulated the product for better longevity since his experience with it. I will see him in the next few days as his shop in next to mine, and we'll discuss it further. I'll report back when I have more info.

It would be great to have this product work! I have no problems with a painted trailer, even a newer one. No more worries about dents and scratches that can't come out!!! In the words of the Governator 'I'll be back!'
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Old 04-18-2007, 10:05 PM   #14
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Well I talked to Alsacorp yesterday. The rep told me that I can expect the Mirrachrome to last as long as any automotive paint, but he is a salesman. I would exactly expect him to tell me that it will only last a coupe of years. He did tell me though that it will fade if black undercoat is not allowed to COMPLETELY dry. That may have something to do with the experience in Lews post. How did the re-paint go on that Lew?

I still have a few problems. 1-several of the steps require paint applications on glossy surfaces. That’s contrary to what I know about adhesion. 2- Price. I’m sure I saw a web page that listed the kit at $800 per gallon, but the rep told me that it was now $1300 per gallon kit. That puts me a while out. Glen, I would definitely be willing to talk to you about wholesale. Thanks again everyone for all your imput.
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Old 04-19-2007, 06:16 AM   #15
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I'm looking forward to laying eyes on the only test I know of yet. LI Pets will be at Hiawassee this weekend and has their propane tanks done with one of the Alsa materials.

I think the most important thing to remember is that MirraChrome and the other Chrome finishes from Alsa are not paint. The process is metal disposition. You are applying a very small amount of metal over top of the glossy surface. I'm not a painter so I can't comment on adhesion over the dry glossy surface but your question makes sense.

One thing they always say at Alsa is that less is more. Take a look at the videos on their site. Going from a gloss base to a chrome finish is just a minor dusting process and then a wipe down. An interesting process for certain.
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