Selectively Electoplating Plastic Substrates Having a Decorative Film
AssigneeCertus Automotive Incorporated
InventorsTimothy Scott Hondorp, Michael James Prokopetz
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Abstract
A selectively-metalized plastic part that includes a plastic substrate substantially conforming to the shape of the plastic part, a plastic film using an electroplating-resistant material that is applied to the plastic substrate, and an electroplating portion, wherein after exposing the plastic part to an electroplating process the electroplating portion receives metal plating whereas the plastic film does not.
Claims17
A selectively-metalized plastic part, comprising:
- an opaque plastic substrate substantially conforming to the shape of the plastic part;
- a plastic film using an electroplating-resistant material, wherein the opaque plastic film is applied to the plastic substrate;
- and
- an electroplating portion, wherein after exposing the plastic part to an electroplating process the electroplating portion receives metal plating whereas the opaque plastic film does not.
A method of selectively metalizing a part, comprising the steps of:
- (a) applying an opaque plastic film that includes an electroplating-resistant material to a plastic substrate;
- (b) exposing the opaque plastic film and the plastic substrate to an electroplating process;
- and
- (c) applying metal plating to a surface of the plastic substrate that is exposed to the electroplating process and not covered by the opaque plastic film in response to step (b).
A method of selectively metalizing a part, comprising the steps of:
- (a) applying an opaque plastic film to a plastic substrate, wherein the opaque plastic film and the plastic substrate both comprise a material that receives metal plating when exposed to an electroplating process;
- (b) applying a liquid coating that resists electroplating to the opaque plastic film;
- (c) exposing the plastic substrate and coated opaque plastic film to the electroplating process;
- and
- (d) applying metal plating to a surface of the plastic substrate that is exposed to the electroplating process and not covered by the opaque plastic film.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.