I've got a bit of car made out of carbon fibre that I want to give a thin coating of metal to. It is a cosmetic piece so not under stress or load, but it is on the outside of the car. Ideally something that looks vaguely shiny or like chrome. My cunning plan is to paint it with some electro-conductive paint and then electroplate it.
- I've ordered some of this - Kontakt Chemie Black Graphite Conductive Lacquer for Electronic
- I have a plastic tub to put the carbon fibre piece in.
- I have a battery charger to trickle charge it with electricity.
Any suggestions for a good metal to use for the electroplating bit?
I was thinking I might do a coat of copper first, just because that electric plates really easy and I've got some old scrap wire I could use, but still want a silvery finish on top of that.
Can't really help, but you can plate the plastic directly with nickel. See electroless nickel plating.
I did look at that but there was one slight issue with electroless nickle plating.
Not that it is out of stock but it is almost £200 per square metre compared to a £20 rattle can of paint and some scrap metal.
Not that it is out of stock but it is almost £200 per square metre compared to a £20 rattle can of paint and some scrap metal.
Yes, years ago I was working on a project where cost wasn't really much of an issue. We needed a metal coating on a mix of ceramic, PZT and epoxy. (Then we laser ablated tracks off it to create, basically, a PCB.)
Mine is to do the 'chrome' front on the bumper. I was going to make it in metal but plating the plastic will let me make moreintricate and accurate shapes. Cost is very much an issue 🙂
If it works well, I may also to the surrounds for the perspex headlight covers and various other trim bits.
but electroless nickel on to plastic is well known tech with confidence in adhesion whereas you are experimenting.I did look at that but there was one slight issue with electroless nickle plating.
Not that it is out of stock but it is almost £200 per square metre compared to a £20 rattle can of paint and some scrap metal.
Electroplating over conductive paint is also a 'thing'.
On the spec sheet for the paint :
Applications
Can you give updates when you've tried it? In theory I can't see why it shouldn't work.
Why not just wrap them, doesn't look that complicated a shape.
Why not just wrap them, doesn't look that complicated a shape
Because wrapping never really looks like metal and I want to see if I can use this for other parts too. It is a test as much as anything.
Can you give updates when you've tried it? In theory I can't see why it shouldn't work.
It iwill be on my YouTube channel - search for DS911 on this forum and there should be links to the latest episodes. I haven't posted anythign up for ages as I burned the skin off my face and neck in a minor miscalculation so have had to pause development.
Hopefully I will be okay with electgroplating and I have found someone who will take on the last couple of bits of CF in August.
Ah you still have it - I thought someone was going to assist in finishing it due to your reactions to the chemicals ?
Ah you still have it - I thought someone was going to assist in finishing it due to your reactions to the chemicals ?
It is booked in for August. Just doing little odds and sods while I wait. Definately avoiding the resins
