Chaps, help and advice needed...

I need to paint some clear plastic sheet material, (HDPE), silver. Now ideally I'd like to paint it on the inside to avoid any future chip/scratch issues. However I've tried cellulose chrome paint but the visable paint (ie under the plastic) is a rather non-descript grey colour, the colour exposed is a bright chrome.
Thought it may be the type of paint used so I tried an enamel paint, and had the same result.
Why is this, is it because the metallic element of the paint rises to the surface of the paint leaving the base paint underneath?
Any ideas as to a more suitable paint that will give me a good silvery finish.

Many thanks

John

Pure and simple - paints are not designed to be viewed back to front. Bite the bullet and paint the right side and scratches be damned

Hi John

Does it have to be a painted finish? you can get mirrored tinting film for windows

Any use?
Adrian

Try a local modelshop for polycarbonate body sprays...these are sprayed from the inside, and the results are semi-flexible so ideal for plastics etc. Been a long time since I built a r/c car, so I'm assuming they're still available.

However, the thicker the material, the more you're going to suffer from this sort of problem. IMO, Nothing will beat a good top outside coat of paint well lacquered and carefully looked after.

Looks like a top coat then, kinda expected that but was hoping for another solution.
Ady, the film would be great apart from I'm painting the inside of 4" hemispheres I know the trouble I had with tinting film on a compound windscreen
Got a descent model shop in newark, may pop in and see what they have

Thanks for the advice.

John

There was a place exhibiting at the shows this year that could refinish ABS dashboards. One of their finishes was chrome which looked pretty sweet. Might be worth a google?

Chris

Try spraying on very very thin dust coats that are almost invisible to see. Then when each has dried put on another coat, building it up slowly. This should give the granular effect especially if you alternate each coat with clear laquer.
It is the uneven surface that give silver paint it bright sparkle.
Therefore if you can create the uneven surface and keep it separate from the next coat by laquer you stand a better chance of getting your desired result.
This has worked on polycarbonate RC car bodies in the past.

Terry