# US 2017/0283971 A1 · Selectively Electoplating Plastic Substrates Having a Decorative Film > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0283971 A1 - Document ID: US20170283971A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/518,691 - Filed: 2015-12-08 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2014-12-10 - Assignees: Certus Automotive Incorporated - Applicants: Certus Automotive Incorporated - Inventors: Timothy Scott Hondorp; Michael James Prokopetz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170283971A1 ## CPC - C25D 5/56: of plastics - B44C 1/00: Processes, not specifically provided for elsewhere, for producing decorative surface effects (decorating textiles D06Q) - B44C 1/10: Applying flat materials, e.g. leaflets, pieces of fabrics (paperhanging B44C7/00) - B44C 5/0415: {containing metallic elements} - B44C 5/0453: {produced by processes involving moulding} - C25D 3/04: of chromium - C25D 5/022: {using masking means} - C25D: PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS; ELECTROFORMING; APPARATUS THEREFOR - B44C: PRODUCING DECORATIVE EFFECTS (processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces, in general B05D; shaping of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29C; printing processes to produce transfer pictures B41M3/12; thermographic duplication or marking methods B41M5/00); MOSAICS; TARSIA WORK (imitation of mosaic or tarsia work patterns B44F11/04); PAPERHANGING {(labels G09F; multi-step processes for making paper labels or tags B31D1/02)} ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The selectively-metalized plastic part of claim 1, wherein the opaque plastic film comprises the electroplating-resistant material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The selectively-metalized plastic part of claim 1, wherein the electroplating-resistant material is applied to a surface of the opaque plastic film. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The selectively-metalized plastic part of claim 1, wherein the electroplating-resistant material further comprises polycarbonate (PC). ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The selectively-metalized plastic part of claim 1, further comprising a decorative image on the opaque plastic film. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The selectively-metalized plastic part of claim 5, wherein the decorative image further comprises a wood grain image. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The selectively-metalized plastic part of claim 1, wherein the opaque plastic film is applied to the plastic substrate under force created by a vacuum. ### Claim 8 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). ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the opaque plastic film comprises the electroplating-resistant material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of applying the electroplating-resistant material to a surface of the opaque plastic film. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the electroplating-resistant material further comprises polycarbonate (PC). ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the opaque plastic film further comprises a decorative image. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the decorative image further comprises an image of wood grain. ### Claim 14 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. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the liquid coating further comprises polycarbonate (PC). ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the opaque plastic film further comprises a decorative image. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the decorative image further comprises an image of wood grain.