*How to* paint chrome
#1
I did this demo on an '08 Ford Escape grille. But the process applies to all chrome dipped plastic parts.
NOTE: THIS WAS DONE WITH PPG PRODUCTS. THIS PROCESS CAN BE DONE WITH THE EQUIVALENT PRODUCTS OF A DIFFERENT PAINT MANUFACTURER
Thoroughly cleaning grille with wax and grease remover, I sanded it with 3m 400 grit sandpaper. Then finish scuffing it with a 3m red scuff pad.
Close up of the grill and the sand scratches
I then wiped the grill down with PPG's plastic adhesion promoter(left) sua 4902. Let it dry for about 5 minutes. Then i sprayed it with PPG's plastic adhesion promoter sua 4903(right), let it dry for about 10 minutes. This is the PPG process, a similar adhesion promoter can be used, such as Bulldog, or House of Kolors adhere to.
Mixed up some PPG DP 50 epoxy primer, layed a coat of that down. And let flash (dry) for 30 minutes.
I then followed normal paint procedure from there. Sealer. Basecoat, then Clear coat.
Here it is in basecoat(color) 3 coats, and a control coat were done because we use water based paint at my shop.
Then 2 coats of clear.
I used an elastic additive in the clear, to give the clear coat an added chip resistance. It will not be impervious to rock chipping, but will hold up longer.
Finished product
You may notice there's another piece in there, its a piece of grille i used from a prius, for a chip test i posted on YouTube. To show how well it holds up. Check it out.
Note: this chip test was done after an overnight drying of the paint, after it was baked. Testing it immediately, without giving it proper cure time, will result in peeling.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SK16...e_gdata_player
NOTE: THIS WAS DONE WITH PPG PRODUCTS. THIS PROCESS CAN BE DONE WITH THE EQUIVALENT PRODUCTS OF A DIFFERENT PAINT MANUFACTURER
Thoroughly cleaning grille with wax and grease remover, I sanded it with 3m 400 grit sandpaper. Then finish scuffing it with a 3m red scuff pad.
Close up of the grill and the sand scratches
I then wiped the grill down with PPG's plastic adhesion promoter(left) sua 4902. Let it dry for about 5 minutes. Then i sprayed it with PPG's plastic adhesion promoter sua 4903(right), let it dry for about 10 minutes. This is the PPG process, a similar adhesion promoter can be used, such as Bulldog, or House of Kolors adhere to.
Mixed up some PPG DP 50 epoxy primer, layed a coat of that down. And let flash (dry) for 30 minutes.
I then followed normal paint procedure from there. Sealer. Basecoat, then Clear coat.
Here it is in basecoat(color) 3 coats, and a control coat were done because we use water based paint at my shop.
Then 2 coats of clear.
I used an elastic additive in the clear, to give the clear coat an added chip resistance. It will not be impervious to rock chipping, but will hold up longer.
Finished product
You may notice there's another piece in there, its a piece of grille i used from a prius, for a chip test i posted on YouTube. To show how well it holds up. Check it out.
Note: this chip test was done after an overnight drying of the paint, after it was baked. Testing it immediately, without giving it proper cure time, will result in peeling.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SK16...e_gdata_player
Last edited by 21RRF150; 04-03-2013 at 04:23 PM.
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#9
What about the chrome bumpers? Could this method be used for that too. I actually was looking for someone in my area who had an stx who would be willing to trade bumpers and grille. I hate chrome and want to make my xlt like the fx4 where everything is painted to match.