[spielnicht]

Looking to get some exhaust tips dark chrome platted but can’t seem to find anyone local that does it. The local places I found only do industrial high-volume jobs and aren’t interested in small jobs. I already had tips powder coated in the past and they just lack the sheen and started to fade overtime from the heat.

Does anyone know of any place that does this by shipping them the pieces, a service similar to Jet-Hot but dark chrome plating instead of ceramic coating?

Any info would be appreciated.

[NSXR]

Search for PVD coating.

https://westcoastpvd.com/

[UPSROD]

I think it is called black chrome!

[spielnicht]

Thank you!!! Had no idea PVD was the same as what I was looking for.

Just sent them a message.

Originally Posted by NSXR

Search for PVD coating.

https://westcoastpvd.com/

[chefwong]

Thread Brump. Did you end up finding a source

[spielnicht]

I've emailed and left 2 voicemails over the past 2 weeks for Brain at West Coast PVD, but never heard back. It sucks because it looks like they do exactly what I'm looking for.

I did get in touch with another shop (https://calchrome.com) that does black chroming and did get a price quote. However, learning more about PVD coating (thx to NSXR), I would choose it over black chroming for durability. Supposedly, PVD isn't susceptible to pitting from road debris. It's not a deal breaker, they're just muffler tips after all. I would just like to know first how much PVD coating cost compares to black chroming before I move forward with the shop I found.

Other than that, it's been impossible to find other PVD shops that do small customer projects. Most just do industrial-sized work.

[NSXR]

Try this girl, she was very helpful to me: lauren@wheelcreationspvd.com

[spielnicht]

Thank you for the 2nd tip. Unfortunately, email bounced back. I looked them up on Google and looks like they folded shop

Originally Posted by NSXR

Try this girl, she was very helpful to me: lauren@wheelcreationspvd.com

[NSXR]

Originally Posted by spielnicht

Thank you for the 2nd tip. Unfortunately, email bounced back. I looked them up on Google and looks like they folded shop

That's too bad, they were fantastic.

Maybe it's better in the end. PVD, when done correctly, is remarkably durable, but if done incorrectly (and it has happened even by manufacturers) it's quite weak.

[spielnicht]

Yeah, I give up. I even emailed a couple of shops yesterday that do firearm PVD coatings and they all said no.

I'll just move forward with black chroming through calchrome.com.

Thx for all the tips and assists.

[spielnicht]

Right as I was about to ship the tips over to calchrome.com, a PVD coating firearm shop got back to me and agreed to do the work for me. Parts were just shipped out to them. I'll report back in 2-3 weeks when I get parts back.

[spielnicht]

Just reporting back in case anyone is looking for PVD coating.

I've been working with STS Firearms/STS Coatings for past couple of weeks. Short of it, they're awesome to work with. Unfortunately though, they couldn't PVD coat my exhaust tips and I ended up settling for Cerakote to match my matte [light] black wheels.

Basically after receiving the tips, they needed to confirm what material is going inside the PVD chamber or otherwise they could damage the machine. Fortunately, my exhaust tips are made in Japan of high quality stainless steel. Easy. Unfortunately, they have a baffle design. STS reached out to the manufacturer to understand what material (if any) lies below the slotted stainless steel plates but never heard back. I even reached out to the manufacture in Japan, and didn't hear back either.

STS suggested Cerakote, admitting that it's no where as durable as PVD nor as nice of a finish. But, it can withstand up to 1,300F degrees and is much durable than any paint or powder coating. Plus, it's a much smoother finish than regular ceramic coating. Since my wheels are a smooth matte black finish, at least they would blend in very well. Plus, it saved me some $$$.

In the end I am happy but a part of me def. still hoped for that PVD finish. Still highly recommend STS Firearms/STS Coatings and will absolutely be using them for future coating needs. Heck, if I ever find another set of suitable non-baffled tips for my mufflers, I'll definitely get them PVD coated through these guys.

https://coatings.superiortoolservice.com

Any if anyone is wondering why I didn't just go back to calchrome.com and get them dark chrome platted, 1) it would have been more expensive and 2) they couldn't guarantee durability of the chrome plating on high-temp parts.

[NSXR]

I've been where you are. Seems like sometimes you have to go the extra 10 miles to get something that seems so simple.

Looking forward to seeing them.

[John in VA]

Prince Wheel Services in NC recreates the "black chrome" finish on E39 M5 wheels. Perhaps they can offer a solution. http://www.princewheelservices.com/