Painting Chrome

[Agent M79]

I am working on a modified trunk badge. I have removed the waterfall/hockey stick crest and replaced it with the god's head from the center cap of the rim.

As part of this, I have removed the black paint from the "MERCURY" letters and replaced it with DTR.

Also, the textured background of the god's head was painted as well. This is a larger area of paint over chrome and it is not adhereing well enough to tolerate weather or washing.

I could remove the chrome from the texture but I'd never get into some of the smaller areas and I would have a heck of a time filling it in a way that would look right.

So... is there a primer (or other product) that *does* adhere to chrome that I could then paint over?

[LincMercLover]

I don't see why an enamel wouldn't...

[Zack]

Talk to CRUZTAKER, hes's already done it on his wheels.

[jgc61sr2002]

I believe Barry also painted the chrome moldings around the windows.

[CRUZTAKER]

I used Eastwoods product on the calipers, and powder coat on the wheels. The wheels were dipped in a muriatic acid type crap first. The chrome trim on the doors is cover with blackout tape from ? available at autozone. I used enamel model paint on the badges from any toy store or drug mart. The badges are plastic, not chrome, therefore a little cleaning and some enamel should work. I did not primer them. Others on the site blacked out their badges, but I'm not sur how. Hope this helps to some extent. Good luck.

-Barry

[Disney Lincoln]

This is a topic I know something about. I have, and many other Lincoln guys have, painted the chrome on our LSC's black or body color.

The first thing to do is csand the surface you want to paint. Tape off any adjoining areas that you dont want sanded or painted.
Then you will want to use a GOOD Etching Primer. Dont use the cheap stuff, quality matters here. The etching primer will adhere to the chrome or metal surface (NOT aluminium..theres a special etching primer for that).
Then you can sand the primer down if you want a show quality finish, or if its a small part, you can just shoot it with your choice of color. Make sure to use a paint that is compatable with the primer being used. You can pick all the supplies up fairly cheap at the local Auto Paint or Color supply store. Almost every town has one, if you have a body shop in that town.
You MAY want to clearcoat your work after its painted. If you do, resist the urge to shoot it right on after you put the paint on it. Remember, it has to have some time to cure.

Hope this helps some.

[Agent M79]

My research parallels a lot of what you are saying, DL.

Unfortunately the total surface area I intend to work is probably no more that 1 sqaure inch. It's the textured background of the god's head from the center cap of one of the MMs rims.

The center cap is ABS. From what I understand, plastic is not "chromed" but vacuum metalized. It may not even be chrome over the plastic... might be aluminum. I really don't know.

Good advice from everyone. I will definately incorporate it as I can. Keep it coming, I won't be getting back into this until this weekend.

[MERCMAN]

I think cruz used tape on his chrome moldings, not paint

[Agent M79]

Touch-up paint definately does not adhere to chrome!

Like I said in the thread opener, I am painting a center cap from an MM wheel. I am painting only the textured background of the god's head. The color is my body color which is Dark Toreador Red Metallic.

This is an ABS plastic part. I don't think they "chrome" them like they would metal through an electrolytic process. I think they “vacuum metalize” it. I don’t know for sure, but I think it may be “metalized” with aluminum.

So now that I know I am going to have to primer the areas to be painted, I need to know if anyone knows if the badge is metalized with chrome, aluminum or some other metal. I plan on looking into DLs suggestion and getting an “etching” primer and according to his post, it matters what metal I am dealing with.

If others have done this with durable enamels, can you recommend a good brand whose product line might include something close to Dark Toreador Red Metallic? I could probably mix something up close but if someone knows a better way, I am ready for it!

Thanks!

[CRUZTAKER]

Originally posted by CRUZTAKER
.....I used enamel model paint on the badges from any toy store or drug mart. The badges are plastic, not chrome, therefore a little cleaning and some enamel should work.......
-Barry

This is how I did my center caps. See wheel pics in the gallery. Holds up well.

[Agent M79]

Hmm. Well. I think I have a great idea!

Enamel model paint.

Why didn't I think of that before? Sheesh. You think someone might have thought of that. Maybe twice even!

Heh. I hear ya Cruztaker. I am done trying to be stubborn about making the touch up paint work but I figure I am still to lazy to go the primer etching route too!

So the enamel is in! I will let you know how it turns out.

Thanks (x2)!

[CRUZTAKER]

^^Agent: I wasn't trying to come off rude in my reply, I was just reminding you..^^ :P

I wouldn't know the difference anyway, between the two that is,...I figure it must be partialy a consistancy issue. You know, like thin pancake batter....uhh, mever mind, I must be hungry. :P

Here's a pic if you haven't seen it.