Modern Vespa

The technical term for having your plastic chromed is vacuum metalizing. The process is exactly the same as preparing the part to paint so I've also included that process here too.
The steps to prepare for chrome or paint:
Remove the plastic part and clean with wax and grease remover
Scuff with Scotch-Brite Hand Pad 7448 (grey) and clean with wax and grease remover
Spray on a couple of coats of plastic primer, available in a pressure pack
Do not sand plastic primer
Spray on several coats of primer filler, available in a pressure pack
Spray a fine mist of dark color paint over the primer as a guide coat
Wait for both the primer filler & guide coat to dry completely
Using soapy water rub the primer filler with 800 grit wet & dry sandpaper
Continue sanding until you have removed the entire guide coat
Once done it's time to hand it over to your vacuum metalizing specialist

OR
Extra steps for paint:
Clean with wax grease remover
Paint several coats of your scooter color, available in pressure pack
Do not sand between coats of color
When dry spray with several coats of clear

That is seriously hardcore, man! Your bike never ceases to amaze...

awesome

That's beautiful. Looks like another possible winter project for me.

Very interesting. How does it react whith petrol spills?
Is it durable or extra care is needed during the refill?

The chrome on plastic is sealed with a 2Pack clear coat to protect it. You maintain it the same as any automotive paint. In fact it works the same as the paint on a modern car so it's resistant to petrol spills.

Great. Thanks a lot.
This just made it to no1 of my winter projects!

I tried to do this on my GTS/
I thought that it would be easier to start with something easier and not so rough so...

Here is what I did

I dissmantled the fron "tie" and washed it with degreaser, waited for it to dy for a day.
Sanded the panel, primed it and sanded again.
Sprayed with duplicolor for 2 layers (1 hour interval each) and then sprayed with lacquer 2 times (4hours interval each).

I am satisfied with the outcome, but there has to be something wrong with the paint I used, cause I just did not get that chome finish I wanted, just a silver(ish) colour - and the rattle can was a "chrome finish" one.

Other than that, the paint is ok, with some "orange skin" effect, but it's ok I guess.

Besides I am thinking of a total respray of my GTS (in British Racing Green ) so no harm done...



Did I do something wrong or it's just a lousy quality spray that made it silver and not chrome?

Thanks in advance

Here is a closer one!

No chrome!
I know I was supposed to chrome it, but I thought that the spray would have the same result/

Any ideas on what went wrong?






To moderators
If this post is a spoiler to the chrome issue feel free to delete. It is just that the OP seems to know about such stuff!

It doesn't look bad, but not chromed. That is pretty close to the "chrome" look I received when using the spray paint option on some wheels a while back. It comes out silver, not chromed. Nice enough, but not chromed.

The difference, I believe, is not sending it out for the final chroming step.

The OP wrote:

No problems.

Unfortunatelly, this is the step that I didn't want to take.

I somehow expected that I would "chrome" the panel and have everyone impressed with my ninja spraying skills...

Oh well... you can not always win

(thanks for the reply)

Oh dear, I'll take the blame for my poor instructions. I'm sorry. I see you have already received some replies from others so there's no need for my input too.

If it's any consolation I think the silver looks bloody fantastic against the main color and already a great improvement to your scooter.

There are also companies that can sell you a do it yourself chrome kit. It's everything I've been saying except you don't send it out. Check out this link: http://hmswarehouse.com/alsachrome.htm

Gary

Everything is OK.
Thanks for the input.

Btw I just buffed and waxed the silver paint and it looks great.

I'll keep it this way!

I'm very happy (and relieved) it all worked out well in the end.


Gary

Neops - you can actually purchase that part already chromed.

http://www.scooterwest.com/items/?_pageCCS=t#page=/item_details/GTS-Chrome-Plastic-Horn-Cover/681