Painting over chrome?
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 993
Likes: 1
From: columbus, ohio
Painting over chrome?
I just bought a new headlight that i have had my eye on, but it only came in all chrome. i want to paint the body black and leave the trim ring chrome. I used some flat black grill paint on a part of my chrome air cleaner cover, and so far it has held up pretty well. not sure if i want to use this exact paint, but my basic question is if painting straight over the chrome would hold up with weather and such?
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 491
Likes: 10
From: ATX
i use plasti dip on all the parts i want matte black. they match the denim on my bike pretty well and hold up great. my forks, headlight ring, along with some other miscellaneous stuff. might be something for you to look in to. lasts quite a long time, and if you ever run into any issues, it comes off SUPER EASY and can be redone.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 287
Likes: 31
I agree with the plastidip solution. That way you don't have to ruin the chrome by sanding it, and you can always just peel the plastidip off. There is very little prep involved for the plastidip and it is relatively durable, but easy to remove and redo if you do run into issue. I actually did my fork lowers with it, then rode from Ottawa Canada to Laconia in the pouring rain less than 36 hours later. Now two weeks and plenty of miles later and the plastidip still looks mint.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 491
Likes: 10
From: ATX
yep, did my lowers back in february and still no issues. to the OP they have a bunch of different colors available, and also a "glossifier" if you want a glossy finish
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,083
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From: South Central Va
If you want to use paint you should sand thoroughly and use a zinc-chromate based etching primer first. I have done several bumpers and other chrome parts with excellent results. Of course powder coating would be best and not very expensive.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 290
Likes: 2
From: wayland ny
Take a palm sander with some 60 grit paper. Then use a self etching primer. Then I like to use rustolium textured paint matches the wrinkled paint well. I also like to use flat clear coat paint. It holds up very well.
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Tourer
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From: Ventura,CA
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Out on Deranged
If your going to paint chrome you need to etch it first. Plasti dip is a good fix for that because it is so easy to remove if you decide painting a brand new peice of chrome was a waste or if you just plain change your mind in a year!
I did my fork lowers in the winter and they are holding up fine.
I did my fork lowers in the winter and they are holding up fine.
Last edited by maddghost; Jun 25, 2014 at 12:08 AM.
