I have done some looking but not super seriously yet. The chrome foil from my dash buttons is coming off and I need a durable finish for those parts. I looked into this as a possible solution because it can be topcoated and is far more durable than other 'chrome' paint solutions I've found. So far a DIY starter kit is equal in cost to buying replacement switches. If I can use the kit to do ALL the dash chrome (bezels, etc.), then I would definitely come out ahead, but it's still several hundred bucks.
Just an FYI to those reading this thread that don't already know,
*Spectrachrome is not Chrome Paint*. It is a system that deposits silver from a silver nitrate solution. This is not the same thing as chrome paint that you can get for airbrush kits or this kit from Eastwood:
https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-l...aDqRhfmJLGRX05sM0gxdND-OhdQLIrIxoCSFsQAvD_BwE
There are a number of vendors that are selling "DIY" to prosumer kits for this Spectrachrome-type of chrome application, but yes it is pretty expensive still, and the process seems to take anywhere from a bit to a lot of trial and error to get reliable results, so the upfront cost for a DIY kit is going to be high while you figure out the process that gives you the results you want. Prices have come way down from even a couple years ago, but for the home gamer doing only a few small parts it's going to be expensive.
From my limited research:
Pros:
- Realistic chrome finish
- Can be topcoated for durability and UV resistance.
- works on all substrate materials (plastic, wood, metal, etc.)
- Costs are coming down as more companies enter this market.
Cons:
- Very expensive compared to paints, but I still haven't found a suitable chrome paint solution that will maintain its chrome appearance and last worth a crap.
- Pretty complicated to apply, significant learning curve and wasted materials in the beginning.
If you can find someone in your area that does this kind of thing and has the process figured out, then that might be the best way to go. I also haven't been able to find someone in my area to do it yet, so when the time comes I may end up just sending out my small interior parts to have them coated.
In terms of the process being viable and durable, there are lots of people that have been using this process in an automotive application and have gotten durable and long-lasting results. Jay Leno did a segment on his show about this process, it's pretty awesome to watch the chrome come to life.
Here's a video of the chrome application that's a few years old.
Here's an Instructable that teaches you how to build a DIY kit for far less than the Alsa or PChrome kits go for:
https://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Spray-On-Chrome-kit/
One alternative that I haven't tried yet as it's still rather expensive is called Easy Chrome by Alsa. Easy Chrome is a chrome paint that is sprayed over a gloss black. The results are pretty impressive and claim some decent durability even without a topcoat. If I can't find someone to do the spectrachrome-style application for a reasonable cost, I'll order the Easy Chrome kit. I think it's under $150 for more than enough to do all the switches and interior dash chrome.
https://alsacorp.com/easy-chrome/