Anyone know where to find the fake chrome like frames around the rear tail lights at a decent price?

I saw a web site a few months back where a guy was selling them and they looked brand new. Claimed he had restored them somehow.

Is there a way to restore them or something that can be done to to make them look brand new?

I dont know how he did it but mine do need to be replaced.

I saw a set on eBay not too long ago.

Seems like I saw a set advertised just last week, either on Too Intense Restorations web-site or possibly Bonzai Motorworks. I look at so many different ones I guess I should start making a list of where I see things like this.:stupid:

G'Day there 76,

Over here, quite a few electroplating firms will rechrome diecast and plastic parts.

I suggest you check out your local phone directory.

Rick.

Thanks, I knew there had to be a name for it. Will look around.

From what I could find these two sites offer kits to do this yourself.

Jcwhitney-Kit

Caswell Plating

I may give it a try to see if it works. This camry uses gold. Yuck.

Also found this interesting article on the subject in case anyone is also looking to restore plastic parts with a chrome look to it.

The Automotive Industry

The initial motivation for the development of processes for electroplating on to plastics came from the automotive industry and this market sector has consistently been by far the largest user of the product.

Once a successful process had been developed it rapidly became accepted by the industry, and by the early 1970s large areas of nickel/chromium plated plastics trim were appearing on vehicles. A whole range of components were produced in plated plastics, including radiator grilles, window trim, name badges, front/rear lamp units, mirror housings, interior trim, and auxiliary lamp units. This trend was particularly evident with vehicles manufactured in North America, where bright trim has always been more popular than in Europe.

The use of plated plastics in the car industry reached a peak in the late 1970s and early 1980s. After that time the use of all types of bright trim declined as the design of cars changed in order to achieve a more aerodynamic profile to improve fuel consumption. This was particularly evident with European cars where nickel/chromium exterior trim was almost completely eliminated except on luxury models.

This eventually produced a generation of cars that were very similar in appearance. So by the early 1990s designers were seeking ways of creating a degree of visual individuality and of restoring marque identity. It is perhaps ironic that one of the most effective ways in which this has been achieved has been by restoring bright trim, albeit within the constraints of good aerodynamic shape. This has been used particularly in high profile areas of the vehicle such as the radiator grille.

This resurgence of application in the motor industry has produced a remarkable expansion of the plating on plastics industry over the last three to four years. It is estimated that in Europe as a whole the industry has grown by 50% since 1993, whilst in the UK in particular the increase has been even more dramatic, producing a doubling of capacity over that period.

Not immitations I plan to replate the actual ones I have now.