a very good explanation indeed
yes.. if we use paint to ab those chrome effect, we still see the gold sand particles, just diff brand may have diff particle sizes

chrome plating part = no particles

because these are real metal (nickel or chrome).

but not to mislead u guys, chrome plating thru electrolysis is only for metal objects.

for plastics, a process known as "vacuum deposition" is applied for plating plastics

by the way, electrolysis only require the plating solution and ac voltage meter, not really complicated   no need to worry about the chemistry part

lao the 1st tme i asked bout this chrome gold paint effect no one answer my question at all... out of all sudden everyone is discussing bout it!! great!! now my question got plenty of solving ways

btw i juz asked the hobby shop owner this afternoon after school... he say by using AB u cant produce a smooth surface like factory-chromed parts, but he say it is possible to do it to near 98%-99% same....

1. super chrome silver paint as base(as mirror-like as possible, use 0.2mm AB pen),
2. a layer of clear yellow, use 0.2mm AB pen(bout the ton, can mix with clear orange)
3.**most importantly!! to make it super duper gloss, use a piece of printing white paper and sand it till smooth...

**the result should be nearly the same as factory chrome parts ....

MEANWHILE, i also asked my chemistry teacher bout metal plating today, and i got a big smack from him on my back ...

he say... (  edward, how could you metal plated something which the electrons can't even pass through it? ur toy is plastic not metal! don't u know that plastic can't be plated using the normal way? if u say use a layer of carbon for the plastic surface... fine... then what bout the plated material resource? are u going to use your mother's gold ring just to plate your toy? think again or else your SPM chemistry will fail for electrolysis chapter! "SMACK"

here's another question appears in my mind from what he say . how bandai gold plate the parts? what they use? is it really gold plated or just dip it into ink container containing clear yellow paint and let it dry later on ?

the choice is yours.......    

i treat mr thinner as a expensive stuff for dillute the paint...not a item for remove paint....

wat u r looking for is design knife not pen knife....
get OFLA brand which is common for us to use.... u can get it at Garden's Art shop or KLCC's kotokinuya(4got how to spell), this 2 places i saw la...
u can try those book shops too.. cost u around RM20.. very worth