Chrome powder coating
 

I was just thinking about this yesterday and got curious enough to ask. How does chrome and black chrome powder coating compare to the real things visually?

David

don't know how black chrome looks but chrome looks more like hand polished aluminum

+1 East Wood has a powder coat called almost chrome I think. It looks good against polished aluminum. I would not consider it chrome at all. Never heard of black chrome but I love real black chrome

Ok guys, I have been doing some powder coating in my shop since around X-mas time. I have a small oven and have been trying to powder coat lots of small items I can fit in there. And so far, I have had the chance to experiment with both of the colors in question.

First off, the "chrome" looks nothing like real chrome.....it's simply too good to be true. BUT, when it is done it tends to look very similar to polished aluminum. For instance, HERE is a pic of the throttle body on my LS1. Looks alot like aluminum hu? Take note that the inside of the throttle body is in fact polished aluminum.

As for the "Black Chrome".....I think there is absolutely no similarities to actual chrome. I bought one pound of black chrome powder and after the first use, it turned out to be almost a graphite color. Don't get me wrong, it's a cool color, but nothing like I was expecting. For a pic....go HERE. The intake tube on the right is in "black chrome" as the thermostat housing is in chrome. I think I am going to use it on the centers of my wheels and call it "gun metal gray".:unibrow:

To compare each, take a look at THIS alternator. It has a chrome pulley/fan and black chrome housing.

Hope this helps out future enthusiasts.

~Joe