How Do Lionel & MTH Achieve the 'Plated' finish on AT&SF Models?

From snippets I hear here and there, the process (it may be only one of several ways) involves applying the plating to the inside of the mold itself before the plastic is injected. What that plating agent is, how it's applied, and how long it takes to apply are still mysteries to me, though I remember an MTH official saying that the production guys over in China groan every time a plated locomotive/rolling stock is brought into the lineup . How the stainless (as opposed to chrome) finish is achieved was not something I asked about during the conversation. From what I heard from K-Line's owner (this was years before they got in trouble) is that the process has a higher-than-normal failure rate, as what would be an almost un-noticeable flaw in a painted casting would be cause for rejection on a plated finish piece.

---PCJ

I don’t know about the above mentioned process, I’ve never heard of the plating being applied to the mold, but that doesn’t mean it’s not possible ….I know some plastic parts are plated by electroless method, meaning the part or parts needing plating are first infused with copper, then they can proceed with a plating process,……plating can be in various forms, whether it be a stainless look, chrome, gold, nickel, black chrome, etc, etc, etc,….

Pat

No idea what is used, but vacuum plating of plastic in another option.

I have heard of a process where plastic is painted with  conductive paint and then electro plated the same as a metallic part.

I agree with David Nissen. That is how the auto industry makes those chrome plated plastic auto grills that we all love.

I don't know how MTH does it, but supposedly there are some really good spray paints that can match chrome that are marketed for automotive applications.

You could try contacting MTH, they may be willing to tell you.  Not like you are going to run out and try to compete with them (are you?).  They may ask you though to keep it to yourself.

Just an idea.

@Mark Holmgren 110217 posted:

I don't know how MTH does it, but supposedly there are some really good spray paints that can match chrome that are marketed for automotive applications.

Too tell you the truth, really good gloss or satin paint (I'm not talking about hardware store spray paint, here) always looked better for "chrome" and stainless than the typical plating product on out trains. The old plated propane tender for the MTH UP gas turbine looked not-so-good. Paint would reduce some of the rejection for surface flaws mentioned above, I'd guess.

However, plating has come a long way, I'm sure (auto parts, for example) I don't own any shiny-shiny stuff, so I haven't kept up. Most of it used to look like those awful chrome parts in 3-in-1 kits from 50 years ago.