I've just finished the first phase of modifying my RioCar to go in a classic Mustang. (Pic below is the player sitting in the bezel that is going in the car). I've added another HD, a fan, and chromed the handle. The next step will be to make chrome or silver buttons for the player.

FYI-If you're going to chrome or powder coat your handle, make sure to protect the screw holes. The shop was supposed to put silicon in them but I don't believe that they did as it was tough getting the handle back together.

The fan mod is noisier than I expected. Not from the fan but from the air wooshing through the holes. I used the ADDA 40x6 ADO412MX-K90 ordered from www.mouser.com. I was able to line up the fan with the holes without problem and clear the VFD by angling the lid.

I did try to fold the IDE cable underneath the HD cradle as suggested in the forum. I wouldn't try this again as I apparently wound up trashing the cable or the cable connector refolding it.

Mach

Hey thats gonna look really cool ! By the way who did you get to chrome the handle? Can they chrome plastic too?

Local shop in Houston did the chrome on the handle. A motor cycle shop recommended them.

Plastic is a different beast. I chased a couple of leads on getting the plastic chromed. I found a shop in California but it was a minimum $200 order so I passed. You can try vaccuum metalizing (www.mrgusa.com) but it apparently won't hold up to much touching etc. IIRC, some folks in the forum were trying to custom chrome plastic with mixed results by first applying a metallic coating.

I'm going to try casting replacement buttons in wax and then having those cast in metal to get the chrome finish.

Mach

Very nicely done. Good for you!

custom chrome plastic with mixed results by first applying a metallic coating.

Isn't chrome itself a metallic coating? Isn't that like trying to moisten water?

Yah, you're right. I should have said metallic paint. In other words paint with metal flakes in it.

As to moistening water,

ROFL, good one.

www.hemmings.com is the place to find car-related services.

AMERICAN PLASTIC CHROME
Your Old Plastic Interior Parts Replated
8812 Hannan Rd, Wayne, MI 48184
Chuck, 734-721-1967, 9-4
Rod, 734-261-4454, 5-9 pm
FAX: 734-721-1420

I wish that APC did actual chroming of plastic but the service that they provide is vaccuum metalizing which is a thin layer of aluminum that will rub off if touched repeatedly.

Just a thought - couldn't you apply a laquer to the finished plastic chrome article to give it a more durable surface?

The folks at MrGUSA tell me it won't work. It'll either dissolve the aluminum or dull the finish.

Well, could you get it vacuum coated and then chrome that?

I don't think so but I haven't asked. I think the chroming process would trash it. They did tell me that detergents like 409 will wash the stuff off. What makes me wonder is how this stuff stayed on in the first place if it's so fragile. It's in several places on my dash.

FYI, take it from somebody that got it...don't get the plastic chrome. I believe I probably got it from the shop that you mentioned in CA. Can't remember the name offhand. Anyways, I had them rechrome my instrument cluster ('68). It looked really nice and cost less than buying a new cluster.

BUT, if you even start touching it with your fingers, the oils on them will damage the chrome look and it will begin to rub off.

If you want to see what it looks like, I can take a pic. I'd do it now, but my camera battery needs to be recharged.

Ok, my camera charges REALLY quickly, so here's a few pics. Notice how some of it has flaked off.

another...

one more...

may be you need a aluminum fascia and polish it?! here is a prototype i am woking on.

Oooh, I really like that. You'll definitely have to keep us posted. I particularly like the horizontal lines.

thx a lot and here is my thread for the new face http://empeg.comms.net/php/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=prodject&Number=113528&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=0&fpart=

I should probably point out that the other trim parts I had done as well that I don't touch very often still look pretty good. Also, this was done like almost 10 years ago.

But seeing as how you were talking about this for the empeg handle, don't bother.

I was on this quest a while back..... dropped A LOT of money trying to electroplate a metal coated fascia that I'd made... (long story) all my efforts failed miserably... but I did find some interesting stuff here ... in particular this they do have all sorts of useful products for chroming and electroplating non conductive materials. Unfortunately I decided to stop while I was ahead financially... but the people there are very knowledgable...

My friend has a powercoating business and said he could chrome things via powdercoating

Wow that's sweet. I was going to leave the fascia alone and just cast the buttons but I may need to rethink that. Keep us posted on progress.

Thanks for the pics. Actually the handle is metal and it wasn't a problem to chrome. The next step for me is the buttons which can't be chromed easily as they're plastic.

After the buttons, if the wooden fascia production starts up again, a teak or walnut fascia would look pretty good.

I though powdercoating involved temperatures at ~400 F? Can I get the contact info for your friend?

Thanks,

Mach

You should definitely keep us posted on your progress. I plan on installing an empeg into my '68 (eventually), and would love to see how you do with yours.

I meant the handle and new metal fascia, yes powdercoating is usually 350-450 degrees

<tongue-in-cheek>You can pick up some chrome spray paint at Wal-Mart and spray 'em. That way, if they ever wear out, you can just spray 'em again.</tongue-in-cheek>