>>8653589The terms are used interchangeably with toys because they create the same visual effect, but there is actually a difference and in almost all cases toys are specifically used vac metal.
Actual chrome plating can only be done to metal, chromium is actually a pretty hard and corrosion resistant metal so that's why stuff like motorcycle parts get chrome plated for protection, looking nice is more of a side effect.
Vaccum metalization is normally done with cheaper metals and can be done to any surface, it's more or less similar to a normal paint application but because it doesn't actually stick onto surfaces very well the end result is pretty brittle and prone to flaking off if the part gets bent or scratched a lot..
I've actually wondered if there have been any toys that have had actual chrome plating done to their diecast parts before. I know that Fanstoy's Motormaster's truck grills are diecast and "chromed" but I can't tell if it's plated or vac metal.
