Need advice on painting chrome bumpers
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I’m getting ready to paint some chrome bumpers black. I was wondering what process you guys would recommend?
I went over one with some 80 grit on my DA and it didn’t do much. I don’t have the equipment to blast them, and sending them out isn’t really an option.
Unfortunately the only way to have a chance for it to last is to sand blast them,epoxy and paint.Just sanding them is a redo waiting to happen.Getting one of these and a couple bags of sand is much cheaper than a redo http://www.harborfreight.com/40-lb-pressurized-abrasive-blaster-68992.html Good luck
I have had success, but only on a smallish grille insert which was chrome plated plastic (not sure how they do that). My method might be a bit cumbersome for a full size bumper, scrubbing a hydrochloric acid wash with a red scotch pad. Then a thorough water rinse and on with U-Pol Acid #8 etch primer in a spray can. Seems to have stuck pretty well.
36 grit on a grinder then DA it with 80 ,high build primer jobs a gud un
I’ve had a lot success sanding the chrome with 220 make sure there’s no shine spots, then spray etch primer, seal and base. Or etch and prime.
Actually just finished a 2013 f350 guy wanted all chrome trim pieces painted to match. Also did 2010 Maserati all the chrome trim and wheels. Guy curbed checked the wheels about 6 months later and the paint held up good didn’t peel back.Yes, can be done. I use Dupont 5717S Metal Conditioner after sanding well with 180. Rinse and then 2K etch prime, 2K primer and topcoats. Works just fine.
Thanks for the tips! I’ll let you know how they turn out.
Keep in mind if you have gravel roads in your area or a tough environment sanding and etch will not last.
I was leary about this at first but have since had success painting chrome bumpers, 80grit then 120 then 220 then etch seal and paint. The nice thing is that when you get a stone chip it will not rust. I still will not waranty this process though.
[quote=”Jayson M” post=32324]Keep in mind if you have gravel roads in your area or a tough environment sanding and etch will not last.[/quote]
I think here in Alberta, you might only get 6 months out of it if you are lucky.
The odd one we’ve done here, we’ve sent to the chrome shop to have the chrome stripped off.
oddly enough my text book from school reccomends sanding the chrome with 320p then an etching primer or dtm primer… this is ase certified book so?
amonia will strip chrome so its not unfeasable to chemicaly strip them yourself
After having a conversation with the customer that was largely based on the information and advice in this thread, he has asked me to sand the bumpers as best I can, etch, prime, base, and clear. There was a lot of rationalizing going on, “The car won’t get driven much, it lives in a garage, etc…”
Hopefully, the job holds up well. I’ll post pictures once it’s done.
Send them out for powder coating and call it done? :whistle:
We were hoping to match the paint color on the body, powder would look nice but won’t match.
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