How To Paint Over Chrome Plastic Parts

How to paint over chrome plastic

By: Leon Rhodes

This article is to aid you lot learn how to paint over plastic chrome institute on typical vehicle trim pieces. The process isn't difficult, anyone can practice it with a little preparation and some patience.

How to paint over chrome plastic

You don't need expensive chrome spray paint for plastic or costly paint sprayers to get good results, an droplets spray can and proper preparation will yield first-class results on whatever budget. The more time you spend preparing a plastic particular for chrome pigment the ameliorate the results will be and, typically, the better the results will be for cheaper paints and primers.

Allow'due south get right into it.

Advisedly remove plastic chrome parts

Removal of plastic chrome parts and trim is recommended for all-time painting results and to avoid over-spray onto surrounding areas. The process is the same for non-chrome plastic parts y'all want to use a chrome finish on.

If you would prefer not to remove the parts you intend to pigment accept the fourth dimension to properly mask off surrounding areas with tape and newspaper.

Degrease your plastic chrome

Afterwards removal you lot volition need to clean and degrease your parts to ensure proper paint adhesion. Yous tin accomplish this with a simple soapy water solution and cloth or, if you adopt, y'all can use a degreasing spray production available at your local parts store.

With the dirt and grime removed from your plastic chrome parts rinse off any residue by spraying the parts with water. Mud and dirt should make clean easily, what you really want to brand sure you lot remove is any oil residue.

Gently scuff plastic chromed surfaces

The side by side pace involves gently scuffing the chrome layer to exist painted over. Care not to rub through this layer is needed, the goal is to prepare the surface to receive a coat of primer.

To aid in scuffing plastic chrome parts I recommend you lot use water, scuffing paste and gray scuffing pads bachelor at from your auto-parts store. A low-dollar alternative is to mix a baking powder and water solution to the consistency of molar paste and rub it over the chromed plastic until information technology looks dull.

As in the previous pace, when you lot stop scuffing the surface take the fourth dimension to rinse away any impurities and wait until the parts are completely dry. A towel, fan or sunlight and a good cakewalk can help dry out the parts.

Use an adhesion promoter

For all-time overall results the first layer of spray should exist an adhesion promoter. Adhesion promoters are bachelor in aerosol tin grade also available at virtually motorcar-parts stores. Because of the sleeky nature of chrome, fifty-fifty when scuffed, and the pliable nature of plastic, a thin layer of adhesion promoter, often chosen clear primer, is required.

Follow manufacturer recommendations and employ a thin even coat over all chrome areas to be painted and allow sufficient dry time.

Apply black etching primer

ten-15 minutes after applying an adhesion promoter you can spray on a thin layer of blackness etching primer. This step is optional simply recommended considering if your chrome plastic parts sustain any chips information technology's nice to have a dark layer beneath the chip.

For best results apply a 2nd as thin layer over the starting time layer of black etching primer to make sure the parts are completely primed.

Choose your paint color and blazon

Today's spray paint finishing options are such that you should option a type of paint suitable for the finish type you want. For example, if you plan to apply a clear-coat finish some types of paint piece of work better with specific types of finishes.

For that reason information technology'south all-time to consider the blazon of pigment you want with the type of cease that works best with it. I recommend a dark metallic color, frequently referred to as 'blackness-out paint', to give a metal-like finish and to protect it with a glossy clear-coat finish.

Again, follow the paint manufacturer'south recommendation for best results. ii-3 thin coats of paint will be needed and tin be applied x-15 minutes apart.

Protect the paint with a sealer

After all the work you've put in so far you'll want to protect the paint with a sealing clear-coat. If you were hoping for a little more smoothen and sparkle from the paint itself this is where a glossy clear-glaze end shines.

Practiced adhesion is required so that the articulate-coat doesn't pare so it's all-time to use a pigment and articulate-coat combination from the same manufacturer. Additionally, information technology's safe to use a thicker layer of clear-coat than you did pigment but the drying time required will exist greater, up to 45 minutes.

Buff and wax the finished wait

When the sealing coat of paint has had sufficient fourth dimension to dry and harden, which can exist 2 days or more(read the paint label!), you can buff the pigment with a polishing pad to remove any swirls or bumps that may have developed.

Finally, auto wax is optional with some paint types only recommended for others. I personally don't use wax but some swear by it, the choice is yours and information technology depends on the wait you're after.

Important: Clear coat finishes tin require 2-3 days to fully harden, read the instructions carefully

Tip: When it comes to almost pocket-size chrome plastic parts you can ofttimes buy a clean unfinished low-cost replacement and skip some preparation cleaning efforts.

What pigment will stick to plastic chrome?

Acrylic enamel is well suited to bind over chrome plastic surfaces. Krylon, Rust-oleum and VHT (Very High Temperature) by Dupli-colour each brand droplets spray paints specifically for chrome-based applications. Whichever paint is chosen the quality of the issue is dependent on surface preparation.

Can you pulverisation coat chromed plastic?

No because the plastic components typically can't withstand the estrus required for a true powder blanket to work. It has been tried extensively and warping of the plastic parts or peeling of the powder coating is typically the result.

Does etching primer work on chromed plastic?

Aye, if you follow the preparation procedures in a higher place, because chrome used over plastics differs from that used over metal. Carving primer typically doesn't piece of work on chrome metal parts only information technology does on properly prepared chromed plastic parts.

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