Caswell Plastic Plating System

[Guest Davkin]

I know this is a long shot but I was wondering if anybody here has used any of Caswell's products for making plastic conductive for plating. The sell both something called Silvaspray and a copper conductive paint. After much searching I can't find any convincing testimonials that either really works but I have found plenty of complaints about their lack of customer service. I'm more interested in their copper paint because it's much cheaper and is supposed to be followed with their acid copper plate then you can use the chrome brush plating system, something you can't do with the Silvaspray. Either way is pricey but if it really works I'm willing to spend the money.

Please, no posts about of of the spray chromes, I am quite familiar with them and am only interested in experiences using Caswell products to plate plastic.

David

[george 53]

Caswell Plating System? What is it? Do you dip the parts, as in real chrome plating? I used to watch a freind plate stuff in his shop, and man, it was labor intensive! Ya gotta watch how long it stays in the solutions and wear ALL KINDS of protective clothing! Is this process similar? Can't see useing harsh chemicals on plastic. Sounds very interesting if it's safe,AND it works!

[Abell82]

It's Electro-plating, I believe rather then chemical dipping.

[Guest Davkin]

Caswell Plating System? What is it? Do you dip the parts, as in real chrome plating

It's not actual chrome, but rather some kind of cobalt solution that is much safer and much less toxic and less complicated than true chrome plating. You don't actually plate the plastic itself. You have to spray the plastic parts with a conductive paint, they have two products, a silver based paint and a copper based paint. Coating the parts with the silver or copper paint then makes the plastic conductive so you can plate it with an electric plating system. When you use the copper coating you are supposed to use the Acid Copper plating system then you can use their brush plate Copy Chrome on that.

Here are the links;

Silvaspray

http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/silvaspray.html

Copper paint

http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/cupwdr.htm

Acid Copper Plating System

http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/copper.htm

Copy Chrome

http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/cobalt.html

Brush plating system

http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/plugnplate.htm

As you can see this stuff ain't cheap, that's why I want to find someone with actual experience using the stuff with styrene and that has had good success with it before I lay out the bucks.

David

[george 53]

Oh Heck yeah! I'd like ta know if'n it workd too! Looks like it might be a good investment if it does! I'll be watchin too, ta see if anyone has used it!

[Art Anderson]

It's Electro-plating, I believe rather then chemical dipping.

Electro plating is the term for using electricity to transfer the plating metal to the surface being plated, in an acid bath. Doesn't matter if the parts are immersed in the plating solution, or if it's done by means of a brush, and the electric current being passed from the brush to the part, the process is the same.

Art

[Art Anderson]

It's not actual chrome, but rather some kind of cobalt solution that is much safer and much less toxic and less complicated than true chrome plating. You don't actually plate the plastic itself. You have to spray the plastic parts with a conductive paint, they have two products, a silver based paint and a copper based paint. Coating the parts with the silver or copper paint then makes the plastic conductive so you can plate it with an electric plating system. When you use the copper coating you are supposed to use the Acid Copper plating system then you can use their brush plate Copy Chrome on that.

Here are the links;

Silvaspray

http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/silvaspray.html

Copper paint

http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/cupwdr.htm

Acid Copper Plating System

http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/copper.htm

Copy Chrome

http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/cobalt.html

Brush plating system

http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/plugnplate.htm

As you can see this stuff ain't cheap, that's why I want to find someone with actual experience using the stuff with styrene and that has had good success with it before I lay out the bucks.

David

The setups that Caswell sells aren't new at all. The same basic system was sold by JC Whitney/Warshawsky's in Chicago at least 50 years ago, listed prominently in their catalogs.

As for chrome (or other plating) on plastics, well the automakers have been doing that for decades now--most window crank knobs, dash knobs that were chrome from the late 60's forward are plastic (probably ABS), coated with an conductive paint, then electroplated. High end diecast model cars from China have their bumpers and other significant trim electroplated with chromium over copper, on ABS parts as well. So, in principle, the process is very workable indeed.

However, one simply must look at the instructions, read the warnings, for the electolyte solutions used are extremely toxic, and must be used in a well-ventilated area, as they can give off cyanide gas--which can be fatal if inhaled. Also, disposal of used electrolyte should be done at your local recycling center, or wherever they accept Hazardous Materials--never just flush it down the toilet.

That all said, there is a model pictured prominently in the last issue of MCM, of a custom tractor trailer with home-plated chromium trim that is simply awesome. Caswell does sell chromium, as well as that cobalt solution, also silver, gold and copper. Lots of possibilities there, I think.

Also, the stuff is in the Eastwood catalogs.

Art

[Smart-Resins]

I think I will email them. They say its for use with models so to speak. As Art stated, it should work as these same applications from other companies has worked. SO I will try to get some details. Thanks. Jody

[Helipilot16]

This system has been around for at least 50 years. I have old magazines with advertising for the kit. It was advertised as a patch for scratches on bumpers, etc. I have never tried it, but have used similar systems for recoloring carburetors. Following the instructions to the letter is crucial.

I have a how to article on how to do it somewhere in my collection.

[Guest Davkin]

Yes, I know plating plastic is nothing new, in fact Caswell's Silvaspray, (a product marketed to hobbiests, so that does make it unique.) has been around for over 5 years. I would imagine if this stuff worked I'd have heard about it being used successfully in the model car community by now and I don't beleive I ever have. I find that very curious. I definately won't be the guinea pig on this one, so unless someone comes forward with a positive testimonial on the stuff my money is staying in my bank account.

David

[Art Anderson]

Yes, I know plating plastic is nothing new, in fact Caswell's Silvaspray, (a product marketed to hobbiests, so that does make it unique.) has been around for over 5 years. I would imagine if this stuff worked I'd have heard about it being used successfully in the model car community by now and I don't beleive I ever have. I find that very curious. I definately won't be the guinea pig on this one, so unless someone comes forward with a positive testimonial on the stuff my money is staying in my bank account.

David

I think the primary users to this point have been restorers in the old car hobby. Lotsa plastic trim items on cars of the 70's and later.

Art

[Guest Davkin]

In my Google searches I found plenty of mentions on 1:1 car restoration forums but not from anybody that had actually used it, so no postive testimonials found in that market either, at least not that I could find.

David

[E St. Kruiser50]

I know this is a long shot but I was wondering if anybody here has used any of Caswell's products for making plastic conductive for plating. The sell both something called Silvaspray and a copper conductive paint. After much searching I can't find any convincing testimonials that either really works but I have found plenty of complaints about their lack of customer service. I'm more interested in their copper paint because it's much cheaper and is supposed to be followed with their acid copper plate then you can use the chrome brush plating system, something you can't do with the Silvaspray. Either way is pricey but if it really works I'm willing to spend the money.

Please, no posts about of of the spray chromes, I am quite familiar with them and am only interested in experiences using Caswell products to plate plastic.

David

As many of you know, I have a commercial water base chrome system that I use successfully now, after designing and building a dual-nozzle airbrush, and re-formulating the chemical ratios, to be used for the first time in an air brush. I believe I'm the only one who's done it. "AFTER 2 YEARS" of "Almost being there", I have finally arrived to what I'm satisfied with.

Yes, I also have a Caswell chrome system, that I have experimented with, and was impressed with the results, but was already into my other system, and didn't have time for both.

I have the copper solution and have tried it, but will at some point invest in the Silvaspray, as I understand it to be much more effective.

In my own experience using silver's and electricity, silver is a much better conductor than copper, but yes, much more expensive now that the price has increased dramatically. My water-based system uses silver also, and give's an incredible "BLING".

Remember that non of these High-End systems are plug-N-play. There is always a learning curve, sometimes a lengthy one, and a "Higher Cost", as this kind of system takes you out of the "HOBBY WORLD", and into the world of "REAL". A big difference, along with the cost.

I have invested a lot of money in this hobby, thousands in just the chrome systems, and hundreds of hours, because of the level I wanted to build at, and the quality I want to achieve.

For me the different things I do and the money I spend are about who I am, what I love to do, and the results that satisfy me.

All of these types of High-End systems require a dedication to achievement, and a lack of concern for cost or time, to be successful. Like I said earlier, there are no "Plug-N-Plays" with these kind of systems in the "REAL WORLD".

All the best - dave

Edited March 2, 2009 by Treehugger Dave

[Guest Davkin]

So Dave, are you saying that you have used Caswell's copper conductive paint on plastic model kit parts and successfully chrome plated it? If so, which chrome kit did you use, Copy Chrome? I wonder if the Cobalt system would work, it's available in a much smaller kit and therefore much cheaper.

I'm not trying to cheap out, I'm willing to spend the money if I beleive it works. But even then there's a limit, I love the hobby but there are more important things my money needs to take care of first.

I understand there's a learning curve, that's why I didn't want to go by only the couple negative reviews that I saw, but without a postive review to balance them out I couldn't ignore them entirely.

David

[E St. Kruiser50]

So Dave, are you saying that you have used Caswell's copper conductive paint on plastic model kit parts and successfully chrome plated it? If so, which chrome kit did you use, Copy Chrome? I wonder if the Cobalt system would work, it's available in a much smaller kit and therefore much cheaper.

I'm not trying to cheap out, I'm willing to spend the money if I beleive it works. But even then there's a limit, I love the hobby but there are more important things my money needs to take care of first.

I understand there's a learning curve, that's why I didn't want to go by only the couple negative reviews that I saw, but without a postive review to balance them out I couldn't ignore them entirely.

David

Hi Dave

Yes, I used it with the Copy Chrome, and got good results, the first time I tried it, but knew with some time and experimenting, I could do better.

Remember that preparation, following their directions, and compatibility of chemicals is Paramount to achieving the sucess you want.

And yes this is only a hobby, and everyone has to decide what level they want to take it to.

Have fun - dave

[Guest Davkin]

Thanks for the info Dave, that give me some confidence. Did you use the tinning solution?

David

[E St. Kruiser50]

Thanks for the info Dave, that give me some confidence. Did you use the tinning solution?

David

I don't remember. Been 2 years and some.

I did follow their directions and recommendations. Funny how when all else fails, that works .

[Smart-Resins]

Sounds good treehuggerdave. I joined thier forum to get some insight to this process. I see that they are rather a large business and yes primarily for the 1:1 world. But they do seem to also have some stuff for us hoobiests. I saw some pics of some scale boats that had used thier system. They look good. I also noted that they are in Lions NY, maybe a hour away from me. So I may call them up and see if I can go visit them and get a lesson from them and maybe a sample done? If so, I will keep you posted. Jody

[Guest Davkin]

I don't know Jody, I bet you'd be wasting your time to go there. It seems the biggest complaint about them is their lack of customer service. It appears Caswell is selling someone else's product and most people at Caswell don't really know anything about it. I see there are a couple of Caswell reps that pop up on their forum attempting to answer questions but it seems they don't do much more than repeat the instructions for the most part.

David