So I'm just about to start building a resin model of the Terminator forearm as seen in Terminator 2. I'm curious as to what you guys would recommend as the best way to get a great mirror-finish chrome job on it.
My initial research seems a lot of people really like Alclad 2 for chrome work. I'm certainly open to that option, but all of the pics I've seen of Alclad-coated pieces show it to be just short of a real mirror finish, and closeups seem to show a grain in it. If I'm wrong on this and anyone has some pics of Alclad providing a super-shiny, mirror smooth chromed surface, I'd love to see it.
The other option I've been thinking of is some form of actual electro-plating or vacuum metalizing. I'm not overly familiar with those processes, and I don't even know if they would work on a resin model. If anyone has any experience with this, again, I'd love to hear details.
Lastly, if I did go the Alclad route, I'd need to pay someone do it. I'm only a part-time hobbyist and don't have an airbrush. What should I expect to pay for this sort of painting service? The model is the size of an actual human forearm and would only need a primer, black undercoat, and then the Alclad. No real weathering would be needed as the movie version was polished up clean.
This is basically what I'm looking for in a finish:
