Vacuum metallization is another method aside from electrolysis in chroming plastic parts. If you have ever seen a burnt out tiny lightbulb that had a chrome like finish to it on the glass this is a prime example of vacuum metallization in its’ process. A component is placed into a vacuum chamber that is depressurized to 32-36 inches of mercury at 0 psi-A or better. The ‘A’ is for ‘Absolute’ pertaining to zero atmospheric pressure at sea level. In the chamber there are strips of aluminum in which a low voltage, high amperage current energizes the electrons in the metal to heat up to a state of being incandescent. As these now glowing particles gain energy they jump off the substrate and on to what ever is in the chamber resulting in a plated finish. These plated components need to be sprayed over with a clear epoxy paint afterwards.
Far as doing this at home here is this Native American adage which I once heard. ‘Bow easy, arrow tricky’. The arrow is the vacuum chamber itself.