Metallic Controls

[yo1dog]

For a project I have been working on, I think that metallic looking controls will look the best. I have a couple questions:

1. How do I achieve a metal-looking finish?

I have heard of a "Metalized" finish that looks like this. Seems like that would work, though I have no idea how to do it or where to send my parts to get it done.

2. Is it possible to get different shades? Meaning: Is it possible to have some buttons a metallic dark-gray and some a metallic light grey?

3. How thick is the coating and will it interfere with the control operation?

If the coat is too thick the plunger will not be able to fit into the bezel anymore.

4. Is it possible to do this with a trackball?


Thanks for the help,
 - Mike

[Vigo]

I don't know how much help I am here, but I know that Groovy Game Gear has some stainless steel balltop joystick. It's a bit spendy because of steel prices. Both GGG and Ultimarc have light up buttons with a chrome sleeve as well.

That metalized finish, I think is just a mirror chrome paint. The metal glazing processes I am aware of do not work with plastic. Chrome paint has gotten much better looking recently. The problem with using chrome paint is that the friction of being on a button or other controls can wear it off. I remember that someone did report that putting some sort of wax on their painted buttons did the trick to keep them from wearing down. I think it was flooring wax. You can buy it in spray cans, I'd just be sure to get an enamel paint. You could probably paint joystick balltops with no problem.

I don't know about trackballs....I'd think the metal finish or paint would screw up the friction needed, either that or the rollers would tear the paint right up....you can probably get a blue trackball and it might give the impression of a cobalt finish. 

[Woodshop Flunky]

You can plate plastic in copper, nickel, chrome, etc (or have it done more likely).

I'm set up to nickel plate (on metal only) at home, and it is really pretty simple.  The real issue will be cost.  You can buy your own plating equipment, but you are going to end up with some pretty expensive buttons.   You might be able to offset the cost of equipment by offering the very product you are looking for to others.  I thought of plating the buttons for my recent build, but I didn't have time to experiment, and I thought my son would like colors better anyhow.

I've got all my anodizing and plating supplies here: http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/index.html  They have several products for plating non-conductive materials.

[syph007]

If you have access to a machine shop, it would be easier just to make the parts you want out of metal.  You won't have satisfactory results if you are really set on coating plastic in metal.