Open almost any model car kit and you’ll find a chrome-plated tree with the model’s bumpers, hubcaps, and engine parts. But chrome-plated parts turn up in other models, too. Some armor models include chrome-plated headlight reflectors, and some aircraft kits have chrome-plated fuselages to simulate natural- metal finishes. Much like clear parts, chrome-plated parts require special handling and a few different techniques. process, another clear coat is applied over the chrome to help protect the finish during shipment and handling.

One of the troubles with chrome-plated parts is that the plating is applied over the parts while they’re still attached to the tree. Whenever you remove the parts to add them to the model, there’s always an unplated spot (or two) where the part was attached to the tree. Trimming the parts carefully and learning to hide the attachment points are the keys to working with chrome-plated parts.
If you would like to read more of this article, please click on the icon below to download the PDF.