Alsa easy chrome on sale at 1/3 the normal cost

[Pete J.]

I don't know how many of you have seen this video for Alsa Easy Chrome paint but at first I thought it was faked.

 

  I have used there automotive Mirrachome paint for years and though it was as good as any other chrome with the usual issues.  Not real durable,  susceptible to finger prints, can't clear coat over it and can't mask over it. 

Now they come out with this product, easy chrome.  I got some and tried it and it is everything the other chrome paints aren't.  It is very durable, no issue with handling it, you can clear over it and you can mask over it!  But  you have to follow the instructions to a "T".  You must use their base coat.  There is some type of reaction that happens with the chrome and the base coat that make the magic happen.  If you use it without the base coat it is just like a normal alclad or other chrome paint.  The base coat needs to be dried for at least 24 hours at room temperature or overnight in a food dehydrator.  The base coat is actually a clear water based paint.  To blow the base through an air brush I thin it 50% with distilled water.  The chrome is only as good as the surface you spray it on.  If your base isn't dead smooth, your chrome will not be either.  You can brush the chrome on the base coat or you can airbrush it.  Either works.  

Clear coat are very limited. You must use either Alsa clear or I have found that automotive urethane works fine.  I tried all the others and they fog it.  Even Future and rattle can clears.  Two part urethanes worked well for me.   

Now, this is why I put this up.  Normally the real kicker is that it is $149 for a kit with an ounce of base and an ounce of chrome.  They have it on sale now for $49.50!  It is still not cheap but if you need a brush on chrome that is durable and maskable this is the only choice that I know of.  Here is the link.  I don't know how long this will be on sale.

https://alsacorp.com/shop/home/269-easy-chrome-hobby-kit.html

[Atmobil]

Impressive looking result. I'm not going to rush out and buy it even if it is on sale but it will be interesting to see what people do with it.

[Ace-Garageguy]

THANKS for the heads-up, Pete. I'm making some custom plastic interior parts for a real '66 Chevelle build, and I need a real-world durable, maskable faux chrome finish. I just ordered to give it a test fly. Thanks again. This could really make my year.  

[Pete J.]

3 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

THANKS for the heads-up, Pete. I'm making some custom plastic interior parts for a real '66 Chevelle build, and I need a real-world durable, maskable faux chrome finish. I just ordered to give it a test fly. Thanks again. This could really make my year.  

Bill glad it is something that you can use.  If you have any questions pm me and I will fill you in on what I have learned using the stuff.  

[Ace-Garageguy]

19 hours ago, Pete J. said:

Bill glad it is something that you can use.  If you have any questions pm me and I will fill you in on what I have learned using the stuff.  

Pete, thanks. Will do, as soon as I have the stuff in-hand to work with.

In the interim, I've been looking at online videos. This one is the most convincing, and demonstrates the durability and maskability.

 

[unclescott58]

4 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Pete, thanks. Will do, as soon as I have the stuff in-hand to work with.

In the interim, I've been looking at online videos. This one is the most convincing, and demonstrates the durability and maskability.

 

Cool stuff! I hope this really works as good as shown in both videos. I have two early 70's model that I've been planning on sending the old (now stripped) chrome parts out for replating. I may have to try this first. 

[oldnslow]

At $49 for 1 oz. of material ( 1 oz. base coat , 1 oz. easy chrome ) , that's pretty steep . The video looks fantastic , but what he has in that little cup would be a couple hundred dollars , and that's at the "sale" price . Hope the price drops , so normal people could afford it . 

[Ace-Garageguy]

56 minutes ago, oldnslow said:

At $49 for 1 oz. of material ( 1 oz. base coat , 1 oz. easy chrome ) , that's pretty steep ...

Yes, it's steep looked at that way. But the fact it's durable and can be masked and cleared is a game-changer.

It will be interesting to find out what the coverage is for that little 1oz.

Considering the apparent high-performance of the product, the cost may be significantly less than sending things out for vacuum-metallization that achieves similar results.

One thing's for certain...that little bottle, airbrushed, will do a LOT of bumpers.

[SfanGoch]

Ditch them Molotow pens. I received the 2 oz. kit today and tested it (brushed) on an dechromed AMT '58 Impala rear bumper. Works exactly as advertised, doesn't rub off and looks great. Excellent coverage. A little bit will go a long way using an airbrush and following the directions. Using a black primer/basecoat will impart a deeper color.

[ChrisBcritter]

Too late - sale's over . Joe, any chance we could see photos of how it turned out for you?

[SfanGoch]

I'll post a pic later today (Friday). I missed the sale too. I paid 139 bucks for the kit. My opinion.......worth every penny I spent on it.

[Pete J.]

This was my first major use of the easy chrome.  This looks a little different for a reason.  It's a half of an egg plane mounted on a mirror and shot outside so the reflection in the mirror is the sky.  I wanted a "in Flight"  look without any supports or wires.  This has been clear coated with automotive urethane. 

[SfanGoch]

That looks awesome, Pete. Very ingenious and creative. I'm getting the bigger spray can kit so I can re-chrome the wheels and handlebars on my son's two Schwinn Grey Ghost Krate bikes. Heck, I might even Easy Chrome our cat.

[Pete J.]

4 hours ago, SfanGoch said:

That looks awesome, Pete. Very ingenious and creative. I'm getting the bigger spray can kit so I can re-chrome the wheels and handlebars on my son's two Schwinn Grey Ghost Krate bikes. Heck, I might even Easy Chrome our cat.

Joe, glad to hear your are really using this stuff.  I was very taken by it when I got my first bottle.  I was lucky and got two kits on sale so now I have a little less than 6 oz.  I think I should do a video on the stuff.  It does work well.  

[SfanGoch]

Quick pics with cell phone. I only used the basecoat over the existing chrome on the the top (Johan '62 Dodge Dart) and middle (Johan '60 Desoto) bumpers. The bumper at the bottom is a previously de-chromed AMT '58 Impala part. Apologies for the c_rappy photos. I didn't feel like breaking out my camera.

It doesn't show in the photos; but, the finish is mirror-like and reflective. I'll strip them, polish and spray a black acrylic basecoat prior to using the kit clear. I think Model Master Acryl Gloss Clear should work too.

[Pete J.]

Joe, I'm interested to hear how your experiment works out.  I tried a number of other clear base coats and the chrome looked just fine but it didn't have the durability I got using the Alsa base coat.  I also found that I could only use a 2k urethane over the chrome as a basecoat. I found that Alsa base coat is waterborne and is thinable with distilled water but don't try it with the chrome. 

[SfanGoch]

Lacquer thinner can be shot through an airbrush to clean out the Easy Chrome. I also used it to clean the sable brush used to apply the finish. Another interesting thing I discovered is that methylene chloride will also clean both the hand brush and airbrush nicely, with no residue remaining in/on either.