[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Marvin, what industrial waterborne clear are you using?

You might want to try a waterborne product called 'Diamond Clear".
It's a single stage moisture cured urethane (MCU), and is VERY hard.

[cboy]

Originally Posted by nicamarvin

...as you will see the coating does in fact dull the color to a polished aluminum color...

From the pictures it still looks better than the $200 Killer Chrome even though it is dulled a bit.

Thanks for posting this info and pics and thanks to RunninOnEmpty for the paint tip as well. Some day we just might find a workable alternative to get stuff looking like chrome. So I really like to see that folks are still experimenting and then sharing their findings.

[nicamarvin]

Originally Posted by Runnin'OnEmpty

Marvin, what industrial waterborne clear are you using?.

well its a nicaraguan floor poly urethane(waterbased)

Originally Posted by Runnin'OnEmpty

You might want to try a waterborne product called 'Diamond Clear".
It's a single stage moisture cured urethane (MCU), and is VERY hard.

who makes it? just so people here give it a try sinse here in nicaragua we just dont have access to all the goodies you guys have back in the states...

Originally Posted by cboy

From the pictures it still looks better than the $200 Killer Chrome even though it is dulled a bit..

yeah I know, but its a enamel and not too durable on its own(you can't rubb it too much like its shown in the alsa videos) but works good after cleared..

Originally Posted by cboy

Thanks for posting this info and pics and thanks to RunninOnEmpty for the paint tip as well. .

yeah I am obsessed with chrome like alternatives and I have spent many hours trying to get the chrome paint as reflective as I can possible get I have spent many cans and countless of spoons in my quest and I think I have reach what is physicaly possible with chrome paint..

Originally Posted by cboy

Some day we just might find a workable alternative to get stuff looking like chrome. So I really like to see that folks are still experimenting and then sharing their findings.

that its exactly what I am doing right now also, I knew that chrome paint had a limit and started to see the possibility of a home made Silver Nitrate(Real electroless plating of the most reflective metal on earth which its silver) to give a real chrome look to plastic parts(or none conductive parts)

here its my limited work so far I am very close to produce process anybody could reproduce with hardware store chemicals(except silver nitrate ofcourse, unless you are like me and make silver nitrate with nitric acid and scrap silver to make things even cheaper)

here its my home made silvering gun: cost about 30$ top


here its Alsa Chrome FX chroming gun: cost(walther pilot's price 1,400$)


and here its my home made silvering chemicals(different from the basic tollen's reagent but based on it basic principles)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKq39K3fmOY

here tollen's reagent just for reference
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUX_cpFWNso

[nicamarvin]

here some test spoons

this is how I start, white spoons prep and then clear polyurethane, the final product should not BE sand it or polished, it must be glass like,


this was my first attemp at Clearing the Silvered Spoon, but afew things went wrong...


from left to right: Blue, the Bad Chrome attemp, Black Chrome, Copper and Green


Blue Close up


Green


Copper


Black Chrome

[cyclopsblown34]

Now we know where the mystery dual gun setup photos on the site came from a while back. That's some very impressive work. Thanks for posting.

[AutoGear]

dAMN...THATS AMAZING. Please do a formal write up for us on your system. This may not work for exterior stuff in terms of durability, but perhaps trim parts on dishboards etc would make good use of it

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Originally Posted by nicamarvin

well its a nicaraguan floor poly urethane(waterbased)


who makes it? just so people here give it a try sinse here in nicaragua we just dont have access to all the goodies you guys have back in the states...

]

Here's the MCU waterbased clearcoat I referred to:
http://www.kbs-coatings.com/diamondf...clearcoat.html

Marvin, if you're using a floor poly that's 1 part and waterbased,
chances are it's also an MCU. The problem with the floor coatings
is that they tend to yellow and fade, due to no UV inhibitors in the mix.
They're very hard however. (I too am interested in waterbased clears.)

Keep up the chrome work, and keep us informed.....

[nicamarvin]

Originally Posted by Runnin'OnEmpty

Here's the MCU waterbased clearcoat I referred to:
http://www.kbs-coatings.com/diamondf...clearcoat.html.....

I am afraid that its not a waterborne clear coat, I am afraid MCU can't be based on water, as they will cure on the can I guess their statement "This water clear high gloss clear coat" its to adress how clear its their clear coat...

Originally Posted by Runnin'OnEmpty

The problem with the floor coatings
is that they tend to yellow and fade, due to no UV inhibitors in the mix......

Water based clear coats dont' yellow, but they do fade if they dont' have UV inhibitors which its the first thing I look on the can...

Originally Posted by Runnin'OnEmpty

Keep up the chrome work, and keep us informed.....

thanks...

Originally Posted by cyclopsblown34

That's some very impressive work. Thanks for posting.

Thanks...

Originally Posted by AutoGear

dAMN...THATS AMAZING. Please do a formal write up for us on your system.

as soon as I have every piece of the big puzzel I will post it..

Originally Posted by AutoGear

This may not work for exterior stuff in terms of durability, but perhaps trim parts on dishboards etc would make good use of it

well it should be as good as 2k catalyzed Urethane clear coat paint job on bumpers... but for added durability I am planing using Clear powder coating on parts that can take the heat...

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Originally Posted by nicamarvin

I am afraid that its not a waterborne clear coat, I am afraid MCU can't be based on water, as they will cure on the can I guess their statement "This water clear high gloss clear coat" its to adress how clear its their clear coat...

Marvin you are indeed correct, the DiamondFinish clear is not waterborne.
(KBS's tech sheet says to reduce with KBS#1 and clean-up with lacquer
thinner.) My mistake and thanks for correcting it.

[nicamarvin]

Originally Posted by Runnin'OnEmpty

Marvin you are indeed correct, the DiamondFinish clear is not waterborne.
(KBS's tech sheet says to reduce with KBS#1 and clean-up with lacquer
thinner.) My mistake and thanks for correcting it.

its ok buddy, that very strong coating could also be of use on my Spray on chrome progect as wheel rim coating...

I believe the best coating to protect that shine on wheel reems its Clear Powder coat, second place would be a Moisture-cured Epoxy/Urethane clear coat with UV blockers, and in third place would be a 2k Urethane automotive clear coat wich its easier and cheaper alternative to the previous coatings but offers abit less durability...

[mrbrucey]

I normally spray my cars with HOK paints, always had good results with them. So I have no Idea why I decide to try ALSA paints. On there web site all the Car are beautiful, but this is a scam. Ive been painting Cars since 1988 and the worst paint I ever use was ALSA Pearl Base Color. The coverage sucks. It took 5-qt with reducer to do a 75 vette. And it still was a bleed Thur. With No help from Alsa's Tech Dept. I Called 5 times and was suppose to recevie call backs. With No help. And I heard that there Chrome Paints are even worst. In the final, I sanded all that sh*# off, and repainted with House Of Kolor, Org/ using only two qts. And I was good. Don't take a chance with theses guys unless you have money to waste. Products suck, the there Business & Warehouse are full of *******s.
Mrbrucey....Bruce......Chicago

[Thumb]

Just wanted to add to this discussion on the Killer Cans. I build plastic models and recently bought 7 cans of their Killer paint and clears plus the Killer Chrome. After almost a years worth of work on 2 of my models I then prepped them for paint according to their guidelines. Well, the paint went on nice other than wasting half of it because of the wide spray pattern. Then it was time for the chrome and as directed I applied it and it came out OK but nowhere near it should have been for the price. Here comes the horror story. I then applied the Lightling Clear which came out beautiful but 3 weeks later it started cracking like ice. On the other model, I had to buy more clear but they replaced the Lighting Clear with Mirra Clear. Talking to Alsa on the phone, their technician told me it was compatible with the paint I already had on the body which was their paint anyway. Applying a couple mist coats then a nice wet coat turned my model and paint into mush. Now I have to models that are ruined.

Now here's the good and most important part. After contacting Alsa, they said they would replace the clear for me but not the paint since their paint was good. What good is clear without paint and why would I chance putting their clear on some other brand of paint?

I have been painting for over 30 years hobby wise and have never had something like this happen. I'm not a master painter but I do know what I'm doing and I can tell you to stay away from their clear.

Oh, I almost forgot, after I had sprayed the Lightning Clear and waited a week I then masked off where I needed to spray the Killer Chrome with liquid masking and drafting tape. When removing the masking after applying the Chrome, some of the clear peeled off with the tape.

Here's a few pics of what happened...


Lightning clear after sitting for 3 weeks. Picture is looking through microscope


MirraClear over 3 week old paint.

Just wanted to let others know what may happen if they use this stuff.

[nicamarvin]

Originally Posted by Thumb

MirraClear over 3 week old paint.

Just wanted to let others know what may happen if they use this stuff.

I have been painting, dealing with chrome like paints for years, you can say I´m obsessed with the thing, and this much is true, all chrome like paint on the market today will crack after some time..

I´m working on my own(made by myself) chrome like paint for custom paints, and so far it has none of the chrome like paint weakness, like it wont crack over time, it wont fade if left uncleared, the effect wont change if cleared..

here some pics so far...

[nicamarvin]

Video