Chrome plating

[Broone]

I wanna know if any of you has plated a pistol before. I have a KJW Beretta M9 and I want to refinish it so it has a chrome finish. I did some extensive research on the net, analysing all the possible solutions: polishing (but the metal gets dull after some time), chrome paint (but far from perfect) and plating. The problem with plating is to determine the type of metal and then using the right kit for it. I extensively browsed through Caswell web-site but some advice from people that actually plated a gun would definitely be a plus. So, did somebody plate a KJW gun before? Does somebody know what kind of metal the KJW guns are made of? I would really appreciate some advice.

Thanks

[Donster]

isn't there a way to polish it and then apply a finish to "seal" it, thus preventing it from tarnishing. also, have you thought about just buying a chrome slide?

[Crunchmeister]

KJW are made of pot metal. There can be many different types of metal. I'm not sure you actually could plate it.

Your best bet would be as Donster suggested - get it down to bare metal, polish it as much as possible, then spray on a clear coat to seal the finish. Even then though, I don't think you'd get a very chrome-like finish poslishing pot metal.

As for a chrome slide - replacement parts for KJW are pretty rare. I hear that the Marui slides are compatible with it, but that would leave the lower frame which could never match it.

[Broone]

I've seen a KJW P14 with a polished slide and it was a mirror finish. Don't remember where though. Look at this, this is a WE 1911 sanded and polished by Krame, a user here on ASC. I don't think the metal used by WE is far better quality than what is used by KJW. So it's possible, but then, what kind of clear coat should I use? I want one that will adhere, not tarnish or change color, etc. I spoke to Krame and he used a metal polish that leaves a silicon coating on the metal, it protects the finish for some time but then you have to take it apart again and re-do the job. There is no chrome slides for KJW guns and I want the frame to have the same finish too. Anyway, this is a project that I want to do by myself, kind of like those scale cars guys. This brings me to the following point: Die-cast used for scale cars is a kind of pot metal. On the Caswell plating website, there is a kit for plating die-cast models. There is also a section in the forums that explains how to plate pot metal so I know it's possible. I just want some advice from somebody who plated an airsoft pistol, it would apply exactly to what I want to do as opposed to the Caswell forums where they mostly plate automobile stuff.