Alsa Easy Chrome

[SfanGoch]

12 hours ago, Maindrian Pace said:

Got mine today, they look great... or will when chromed. As soon as I can figure out who to send them to for chrome.

Get Alsa Corp's Easy Chrome and do it yourself. No fuss, no muss, no waiting for turnaround back to you. You'll love this stuff.

[thatz4u]

38 minutes ago, SfanGoch said:

Get Alsa Corp's Easy Chrome and do it yourself. No fuss, no muss, no waiting for turnaround back to you. You'll love this stuff.

Good idea if your backyard has a money tree...

[SfanGoch]

Considering the price of a model car kit being $20-$30, $139.99 isn't outrageous. A lot of guys here easily spend as much, or twice the amount, at one time when they purchase multiple kits or model-related items. Besides, you could re-chrome parts for close 100 models with what comes with the kit. How much do you think it would cost to have that many items refinished by chrome plating specialist? A whoooooooooooooooole lot more than what the Alsa kit costs.

[StevenGuthmiller]

1 hour ago, SfanGoch said:

Considering the price of a model car kit being $20-$30, $139.99 isn't outrageous. A lot of guys here easily spend as much, or twice the amount, at one time when they purchase multiple kits or model-related items. Besides, you could re-chrome parts for close 100 models with what comes with the kit. How much do you think it would cost to have that many items refinished by chrome plating specialist? A whoooooooooooooooole lot more than what the Alsa kit costs.

It costs me an average of around $80.00 to have the basic parts chromed, (bumpers, grilles, hubcaps) for 6-8 kits!

If this stuff works as advertised, is durable and able to do 100 kits worth of chrome parts, I'm all in!

My main questions are:

Is it tough enough to withstand handling and detailing like washes and cleaning like real chrome?

Does the base need to go on so heavy that it obliterates detail?

What is the difference between this and a product like Alclad?

 

If it is comparable to Alclad, I will spend the extra money to have the large parts vacuum plated.

I would like to see some results and hear some testimonials from modelers before I take a $140.00 leap! 

 

Steve

[SfanGoch]

1 hour ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

My main questions are:

Is it tough enough to withstand handling and detailing like washes and cleaning like real chrome?

Does the base need to go on so heavy that it obliterates detail?

What is the difference between this and a product like Alclad?

This is great stuff. It's durable and doesn't rub off like Molotow; and, unlike Alclad, it can be clear coated without flattening/dulling the chrome finish. The kit comes with a water based clear urethane base coat. You can also use gloss black acrylic as a base coat. Neither the clear nor gloss black need to be heavily applied as to obliterate details like scripts and such. You can brush it on; however, using an airbrush is better because you can apply light mist coats. Once you use Easy Chrome, you'll never think about sending your parts out for refinishing.

Edited April 23, 2019 by SfanGoch

[StevenGuthmiller]

54 minutes ago, SfanGoch said:

This is great stuff. It's durable and doesn't rub off like Molotow; and, unlike Alclad, it can be clear coated without flattening/dulling the chrome finish. The kit comes with a water based clear urethane base coat. You can also use gloss black acrylic as a base coat. Neither the clear nor gloss black need to be heavily applied as to obliterate details like scripts and such. You can brush it on; however, using an airbrush is better because you can apply light mist coats. Once you use Easy Chrome, you'll never think about sending your parts out for refinishing.

Ok Joe.

I'm going to take your word for it.

I might just give it a try.

I have been in the process of getting a bunch of parts ready for re-plating, but it has become such a hassle contacting individuals that do it that I'm starting to get discouraged about the whole process.

Chrome Tech is no more, LMK is hard to even find any information about, and I absolutely hate having to call or email people to find information about their services.

I have emailed GT Kustom Khrome several times in the past year, and have never received a response.

I have been searching for a viable alternative for some time and have not been entirely impressed with Alclad, Molotow, or any of the chrome paints out there.

As a rule, they don't particularly do a good job of mimicking a true chrome finish, and there are always major durability questions.

If this stuff does what I hope it will do, it will be worth the $140.00.

I can order it on ebay for the same price.

Of course, there is a $20.00 shipping cost as well!

 

I will be contacting you to chew you out if I hate it!

 

 

 

Steve

[SfanGoch]

8 minutes ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

I can order it on ebay for the same price.

Of course, there is a $20.00 shipping cost as well!

If you order direct from Alsa, shipping is only 11 bucks. You can use the extra nine dollars to get a coffee at Starschmucks.

10 minutes ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

I will be contacting you to chew you out if I hate it!

Steve, you'll be asking yourself how you ever got along without it for all these years. I'm going to get the larger kit to re-chrome the brightwork (rims, handlebars, etc.) my son's Schwinn Grey Ghost. After that, the cat is next.

[StevenGuthmiller]

1 hour ago, SfanGoch said:

If you order direct from Alsa, shipping is only 11 bucks. You can use the extra nine dollars to get a coffee at Starschmucks.

Isn't Alsa a British company?

I saw their prices in pounds.

The kit would be shipped from California if I bought it on ebay.

Probably faster shipping?

 

 

Steve

[SfanGoch]

It's located in Karloffornia, 13 mi. SE of Horrorweird:
Alsa Corp.
Location:
1213 East 58th Place, Los Angeles, CA 90001
Call Us: (800) 999-4120

[StevenGuthmiller]

2 hours ago, SfanGoch said:

It's located in Karloffornia, 13 mi. SE of Horrorweird:
Alsa Corp.
Location:
1213 East 58th Place, Los Angeles, CA 90001
Call Us: (800) 999-4120

Okay.

My mistake.

 

 

Steve

[SfanGoch]

I'll let you slide on this one.

 

[peteski]

I have my doubts that any paint-type spray-on "chrome" finish will have the brilliance of vacuum-metalized parts, but I'll be watching for Steve's evaluation (because I think Steve is also after that super shiny brilliance I want).  Yeah, I know "scale chrome should not be that shiny" but I like mine extra shiny.

[StevenGuthmiller]

6 hours ago, peteski said:

I have my doubts that any paint-type spray-on "chrome" finish will have the brilliance of vacuum-metalized parts, but I'll be watching for Steve's evaluation (because I think Steve is also after that super shiny brilliance I want).  Yeah, I know "scale chrome should not be that shiny" but I like mine extra shiny.

I'm not so much worried about the shine as I am durability.

I like to detail my chrome parts in a certain way that requires a tough finish.

If this stuff can't withstand that, it will not work for me.

 

 

Steve

[SfanGoch]

7 hours ago, peteski said:

I have my doubts that any paint-type spray-on "chrome" finish will have the brilliance of vacuum-metalized parts, but I'll be watching for Steve's evaluation (because I think Steve is also after that super shiny brilliance I want).  Yeah, I know "scale chrome should not be that shiny" but I like mine extra shiny.

No B.S. about this this product, Pete. It works as advertised. It looks exactly like a vacuum-metalized part, only like real chrome. Pete J.'s airplane shows it. I tested it on some parts and I can attest to its ability to produce a genuine shiny, mirror-like chrome finish without the toy-like look.

[SfanGoch]

1 hour ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

I'm not so much worried about the shine as I am durability.

You can rub the finish until your fingerprints wear off, Steve. Just use a soft cloth to polish the part and it's nice and chrome shiny again. You can also gently buff it to increase the shine, brilliance and reflective qualities prior to clearcoating. If you do clearcoat it, then, fingerprints, wear and any other related issues won't be a concern. Besides, I wouldn't tell you to get it if I found any issues regarding its performance and durability. Those are the same things I look for.

Edited April 24, 2019 by SfanGoch

[ChrisBcritter]

On 4/23/2019 at 3:02 PM, SfanGoch said:

After that, the cat is next.

 Nice work, Joe!

Edited April 24, 2019 by ChrisBcritter

[ChrisBcritter]

But seriously, Joe, can you show us some photos of the parts you've chromed with the ALSA system?

[SfanGoch]

I'm still in the process of unpacking a lot of stuff after my move. Model-related stuff has a low priority at the moment, Chris. If I have the opportunity to dig some parts out., photograph and post them, I will. But, like I said, first things first. I'm not trying to weasel out of doing so;  just giving a SITREP.

[Maindrian Pace]

On their site, they say that 5-6 coats of various materials are required for this system to work. That's kinda red-flaggish on a model car part with lots of fine detailing. The examples shown are large smooth pieces, but we really need to see what this looks like on a front bumper/grille or other elaborate parts before this can be the official chrome replacement product. Vacuum metalizing is very chrome-like and very thin, and there lies its advantage.

[peteski]

23 minutes ago, Maindrian Pace said:

On their site, they say that 5-6 coats of various materials are required for this system to work. That's kinda red-flaggish on a model car part with lots of fine detailing. The examples shown are large smooth pieces, but we really need to see what this looks like on a front bumper/grille or other elaborate parts before this can be the official chrome replacement product. Vacuum metalizing is very chrome-like and very thin, and there lies its advantage.

Good point.  We need to see some actual examples of model size car parts to see how it works on smaller items with fine details.

[SfanGoch]

Ach! Luddites all!  You wanted an example? Here it is. This is one of the speed shapes, molded in black styrene, onto which I  hand brushed both, using a 1/4" brush, the clear base coat and a single coat of Easy Chrome. No clearcoat was applied:

Again, this was hand brushed. Airbrushing produces a much more even finish.It's extremely durable. It doesn't rub off and is fingerprint-resistant. And, you can clearcoat it without diminishing its brilliance and reflective qualities. That said, you can see the lettering from the Moebius Lighting Kit booklet reflected clearly on the speed shape. If this doesn't convince any doubters as to the product actually working as advertised, I don't know what to tell you. You won't get better than this even by vacuum plating, using Alclad and definitely not with Molotow.

Edited May 2, 2019 by SfanGoch

[StevenGuthmiller]

1 hour ago, SfanGoch said:

Ach! Luddites all!  You wanted an example? Here it is. This is one of the speed shapes, molded in black styrene, onto which I  hand brushed both, using a 1/4" brush, the clear base coat and a single coat of Easy Chrome. No clearcoat was applied:

Again, this was hand brushed. Airbrushing produces a much more even finish.It's extremely durable. It doesn't rub off and is fingerprint-resistant. And, you can clearcoat it without diminishing its brilliance and reflective qualities. That said, you can see the lettering from the Moebius Lighting Kit booklet reflected clearly on the speed shape. If this doesn't convince any doubters as to the product actually working as advertised, I don't know what to tell you. You won't get better than this even by vacuum plating, using Alclad and definitely not with Molotow.

I'm up for the challenge!

Now I just need to scrounge up $160.00.

 

 

Steve

 

[peteski]

While the shine is there on that slick "speed shape", how thick is the paint coat? Like Mike said, if the paint goes on too thick, it will obfuscate small details. If I have some delicate parts, I don't want them to look like they were dipped in pancake syrup.

[SfanGoch]

Literally one, thin coat applied with a paint brush. Easy Chrome has the viscosity of water; so, it can't be sloshed on like, for example, acrylic or enamel paint because it isn't paint. The carrier is lacquer-based. Airbrush application is even thinner.

Edited May 2, 2019 by SfanGoch

[SfanGoch]

On 4/24/2019 at 9:31 PM, Maindrian Pace said:

On their site, they say that 5-6 coats of various materials are required for this system to work.

You do understand that this refers to large non-model kit applications like car/truck rims, bike helmets, etc.? Look at the speed shape in my photo. One coat of the urethane basecoat and one coat of Easy Chrome. That's it. It doesn't get any easier. But hey, if you want to spend 50+ bucks to re-plate a couple of bumpers/grilles, then maybe wait a couple of weeks to get them back, who am I to tell you how to spend your money? I took a chance after reading the thread Pete J.  posted about it in OTL and am satisfied that it does as advertised. Pete J's results:

Quoting Pete:

"Yes, I did some of the chrome work with a brush just to see how it would work." 

Nuff said. His pic says it all.

Addendum:

When applying Easy Chrome with an airbrush, spray very light, misting coats until you see the mirror-like finish appear. Stop at this point and don't apply further coats.

 

Edited May 2, 2019 by SfanGoch