Faux chrome ideas

[Sitbon]

Hi All. I'm designing a set in Art Deco style and looking for options other than tin foil to suggest chrome detail around the edges of doors and general surface decoration across walls. I'm trying to find something that sticks onto a wooden painted flat in various widths with a shinny surface.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Andrew

 

[microstar]

They make rolls of metallic tape to seal air ducts. Has a peel-away backing that exposes the adhesive. Sticks to everything (including itself) quite well. Lowe's or Home Depot, etc. Very chrome looking but a little difficult to apply wrinkle-free.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/3M-1-88-in-W-x-150-ft-L-HVAC-Tape/4009603

 

[AudJ]

From my days rebuilding a classic auto, there were parts that were aluminum that were polished to look like chrome. This is definitely a time-consuming option. You need a high speed buffing wheel on a grinder (we had a 6ft flexible shaft on ours) and various compounds, but it does look good. I would imagine pieces of aluminum roof flashing might work with a little experimenting.

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[viking33]

I have automotive trim tape for accent pieces before that come out very well.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JR4D7AA/?tag=controlbooth-20

 

[RonHebbard]

Hi All. I'm designing a set in Art Deco style and looking for options other than tin foil to suggest chrome detail around the edges of doors and general surface decoration across walls. I'm trying to find something that sticks onto a wooden painted flat in various widths with a shinny surface.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Andrew

Next you'll be enquiring about dulling spray to minimize the glare and glint.
Toodleoo!
Ron Hebbard.

 

[porkchop]

If you buy the nice metallic spray paint and give it a few days to cure you can get some pretty nice finished out of it.

 

[dpak]

Would chrome spray paint work? You can find it at Home Depot and probably any hardware store.

 

[BillConnerFASTC]

I think it will work better if all "chrome" on stage is the same faux chrome. Having some real and some faux is more likely to break the illusion than all the same.

 

[Van]

I believe Rosco sells a couple of versions of Vinyl/Mylar that are chrome/mirror finish. Remember however: your "chrome" look is only as good as the substrate will allow. If you really want a shiny chrome look out of any applique', be it the aluminum duct-tape, or Mylar or even some of the high-end spray paints, you have to finish the heck out of the substrate. Everything has to be Bondo-ed and sanded and dusted and tack clothed before you apply. Shiny Sucks.

 

[JohnD]

You could also try vinyl sign companies. They do make mirror finish in rolls. A plus is they can use vinyl sign cutters to make shapes.

 

[Van]

You could also try vinyl sign companies. They do make mirror finish in rolls. A plus is they can use vinyl sign cutters to make shapes.

I LOVE using my vinyl cutter for doing just this thing.

 

[bobgaggle]

There are all sorts of laminates with the finish you want. $$ adds up though. We use Outwater a lot for when we need metallic trim. They sell adhesive backed flexible plastic "chromed" trim in all sorts of profiles (beaded, domed, half or quarter round etc etc)

http://www.outwater.com/

Edge Banding
http://outwater.com/lg_display.cfm/page/A-14/catalog/2016_Master_Catalog

This is kinda cool
http://www.outwater.com/lg_display.cfm/catalog/2016_Master_Catalog/page/O-5/highlight/peel and stick

They've got lots of good stuff, look around

 

[Moose Hatrack]

Way back in 1980 or so... the designer acquired a large supply of used offset printing plates for art deco architectural features.

 

[Sitbon]

I believe Rosco sells a couple of versions of Vinyl/Mylar that are chrome/mirror finish. Remember however: your "chrome" look is only as good as the substrate will allow. If you really want a shiny chrome look out of any applique', be it the aluminum duct-tape, or Mylar or even some of the high-end spray paints, you have to finish the heck out of the substrate. Everything has to be Bondo-ed and sanded and dusted and tack clothed before you apply. Shiny Sucks.

Thanks Van. What about gold trim? Do u know if that's available as a tape? Thanks Andrew

 

[Van]

Thanks Van. What about gold trim? Do u know if that's available as a tape? Thanks Andrew

I don't know if it's available as a tape, maybe from a Florist supply. But Rosco sells a gold Stick on Mylar and there are several Manufacturers of Gold Vinyl. I suggest Ebay for Vinyl purchases; as much as I hate to say it there are GREAT prices on sign vinyl on Ebay. it can be cut with an exacto or vinyl plotter cutter.