Chrome panelling ?

[Solocade2008]

I'm looking for some chrome panelling for the kick board of my cabinet. Anyone know where to buy some?

Anything chrome will do for about a 24" x 6" area covering the mdf.

Can't seem to find anything... 

Chrome sheet metal?
Chrome vinyl adhesive?
Chrome plastic?

[divemaster127]

im not sure what to call it, but I have seen people use the edged chrome metal on kickplates its the same stuff you see on running boards on a truck not sure what you call it
dm

[Loki]

diamond plate

[divemaster127]

there you go, i have seen this used on the kickplates it looks great & its tough
dm 

[Donkey_Kong]

and you can buy diamond plate at any Menards in MN...Look somewhere in the hardware area near the screws. Then find a little display bin of Diamond plate and the like. They sell it in small strips and square sheets...Expensive as all get out though.

You could get it cheaper if you had a connection to your local steel man.

[somunny]

You'll need polished stainless diamond plate if you really want that "chrome" look.  Get a piece of stainless sheet metal (doesn't have to be diamond plate) cut to the dimensions you want and find a place near you that does metal polishing.  Shouldn't cost more than $25-$30.

[SGT]

Why not just use a regular kick plate for a door?  I think they sell a highly polished stainless steel version which would look like chrome.

[shmokes]

Additionally, Wilsonart (same thing as Formica) makes crome laminate.  It is applied exactly the same as normal formica and can be manipulated with the same tools (jigsaw/tablesaw, router with flush-trim bit).

[RayB]

flat chrome panel = mirror, no?

[somunny]

Additionally, Wilsonart (same thing as Formica) makes crome laminate.  It is applied exactly the same as normal formica and can be manipulated with the same tools (jigsaw/tablesaw, router with flush-trim bit).

This stuff is sweet.  I've been meaning to order some samples.

[crashwg]

Keep in mind that you won't be able to cut something that is chrome plated without it chipping and cracking. 

At my local Lowes they have diamond plate stainless that is polished pretty well...

[shmokes]

That's one nice thing about going with the laminate.  it does chip/crack right around the cut, which is why you cut it big enough that there's a 1/4" or 1/2" overhang over the piece to which it's being applied.  Then you run a router with a flush-trim bit along the edge to make it flush with the work piece.  No chipping when you use a router.

The one rather large problem with laminate, though, is you will likely have to special order a specialty laminate like that (you can order it through Home Depot, for example), but the smallest piece you'll probably be able to get is 4'x8' and the metal laminates are quite expensive.  So, hopefully, if you go this route you have some other surfaces that you would like to be chrom that you can use the leftovers for.

If you'd like an example of what it would kind of look like, I've posted a picture on the message board at one point of a control panel I covered in a Wilsonart brushed aluminum laminate.  It looks fantastic.  I'll see if I can dig it up.  It's not chrome, but it might give you an idea as to the quality.  And keep in mind that you also have the convenience of being able to use all the same tools that you normally use for wood and it really turns out to be a nice solution.

edit: Ah . . . here you go.

[somunny]

The one rather large problem with laminate, though, is you will likely have to special order a specialty laminate like that (you can order it through Home Depot, for example), but the smallest piece you'll probably be able to get is 4'x8' and the metal laminates are quite expensive.  So, hopefully, if you go this route you have some other surfaces that you would like to be chrom that you can use the leftovers for.

Hey, you used to build stuff!

Seriously though, do you remember how much you paid for the lam?

[shmokes]

I remember it was really expensive . . . like $80 or $100 for a 4' x 8' sheet.  Or something . . . I remember thinking, "Jesus, it's a good thing my wife doesn't know how much this costs."

[Solocade2008]

Thanks for the tips! 

I ended up going to Lowes and purchasing a small piece of chrome diamond plate for only $2. It was damaged (ie scratches) but looked good enough.

[Loki]

Great deal! and it looks great!

[btp2k2]

I used chrome spray paint on one of my dreamcasts...it looks awesome and has stood up pretty well too.

I would put lexan over it, but it would look pretty good.