can you paint chrome?

[Magixxs]

Basically i wanna paint a set of chrome 17s black. Is it possible to scuff the chrome and paint over it and the paint will last my moneys worth? Or is their better options available?

[ari666]

depends on the "chrome" i tried grinding the chrome of two tiny strips of my window seal so i could weld two together and it was just fail. took ages, and that was with a grinding wheel on the angle grinder, try that on alloy and itll tear chunks off it. you could try an epoxy etch primer. not too sure what the result would be as i have never tried it before.

[Snoz]

I painted the bumpers on my VH rally car. I just rubbed them with green scotchbrite then
used a product call Wattle super etch. It is good stuff.
It didn't scratch off in the time I had the car. It is matt black, so if you want to use a gloss over that it shouldn't be a problem.

[simple wagon]

Painting over chrome doesnt work properly, the chrome needs to be stripped off so your wheel is raw. get another set of wheels would be easier.

[SavVYute]

I've seen chromed items powdercoated that hold up really well.

Though the base metal was steel underneath the chrome.

You could phone a powdercoating place for advice.

[ari666]

the powdercoaters would sandblast it first. powder wouldnt stick to chrome in a million years

[SavVYute]

the powdercoaters would sandblast it first. powder wouldnt stick to chrome in a million years

They did sandblast it first, but they didn't take the chrome off. Only roughen the surface of the chrome plating.

[showbags]

Considering the chrome on wheels looks like crap and starts flaking fairly quickly, I'd be tipping so will your paint.

[toey@carfx]

it must be able to be done as i have seen rims painted with a kandy overlay with great effect. how they held up to the test of time, i dont know. guess it depends on the quality of the rim/chrome. the rims i had on my old ss i ran for 3 years. not one chip or flake and i done an average of 17000km a year on them. if it was me id be trying to get them painted with a black kandy to give it a true shadow chrome look (rather then the crap holden passes off as shadow chrome). probly best to speak to a panel shop that is right into custom work rather then just repairs

[Faynt11]

depends on the quality of the chrome, also using something highly abrasive i.e p120 grit paper sand the surface thoroughly.
Then use a 2k etch primer (important!) then prime, rub and paint.

In all honesty it's not worth the work, just pay a powdercoater to do it for you. it'll look better and last a lot longer.

[Magixxs]

So should i apply etch, then filler primer?

[CustomSprayMods]

So should i apply etch, then filler primer?

Yep etch primer then hi fill primer. then sand with 240g then 600g wet, then ya ready for ya colour. Ill be painting my stock chrome VE rims soon and posting a video on the steps involved on my channel. Its alot of work but there is nothing better then doing it yourself and learning how to paint stuff.

[WHT85Berlina]

My suggestion would be to look up ur local electroplater (chrome plater), they will be able to strip the chrome of either down to the nickle plating or to bare metal.

Thats what I would do, atleast you would know the job is done properly.

[Magixxs]

Thanks for all the tips fellas