Silver Dipping/Electroplating?

[Corrose]

Hey all,

The above subject is something I know zero about but am trying to find out more.
I don't know if this is something that can be done, but basically I'm wanting to take resin copies of a 3D print I had made and dip/treat/coat the casts to have a true metal/shiny finish. These will be pieces like sword blades, etc. Can you even do this technique on resin or does the foundation have to be a treated metal to start with?

Does anyone have any basic info on how this is done, or does anyone here actually do that that I could send some business your way?

Thanks!

 

[robbiethepainter]

Resin can not be directly electroplated. It has to be coated with a copper treatment first. I know there are services out there but I have no connections.

 

[Fangs of Death]

I believe the plastic in question has first to be etched, then treated with a palladium salt to make it conductive, then you can electroplate on top. IIRC.

 

[Corrose]

Is what I'm asking even the way to go about making plastic parts look like real metal? I'm open to other ideas that maybe I don't know about, just not interested in solutions with silver paints. Would like what I need to have done look really nice

 

[Fangs of Death]

AFAIK if you want a chromey look, you must use chrome (or other metal). "Silver" paint is just flakes of that metal in a medium. Plastic electroplating is the way to get what you want. Been meaning to have a go at it for ages...never got around to it. I'll bet whoever starts up a little factory for 1/6 could make a few $$$$$.