Painting Chrome

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Dec 26, 2011 | 08:19 PM

Toast1148

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Cruiser

Joined: Mar 2011

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From: Oklahoma

Painting Chrome

Now, I know that painting chrome is a no-no, but I have seen it done more than a few times. Recently, I removed my heat shields from my V&H and wrapped them with heat wrap. The tips of my pipes are still chrome and kinda scratched up, so I was debating to paint them black. Ive seen a couple people with the same setup but had their tips painted black.

So, for those of you with any knowledge or experience, how well does the paint hold up? does it flake off at the slightest touch?

Any info would be appreciated

thanks

Dec 26, 2011 | 08:24 PM

chamba

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Joined: Jun 2011

Posts: 756

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From: Austin, TX

sand and sand more. then sand smooth. self etching primer and you should be good to go.
use mineral spirits before primer to clean the surface.

Dec 26, 2011 | 08:58 PM

Newharleylover

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2011

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From: No where near you, OH

I wonder something. I've read on the forums and found that some guys have had wrapped pipes and the heat built up inside so much that after a period of time due to metal fatigue their pipes broke. What I would wonder is if the heat inside wrapped pipes is that intense, what would stop whatever you do to your caps from failing due to the excessive amount of heat escaping at just one point? Not trying to be a butthole, it's just something I wonder about.

Dec 26, 2011 | 09:14 PM

chamba

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From: Austin, TX

ummmm hijacker,
this is about painting chrome......

Dec 26, 2011 | 09:27 PM

capitalist_slave

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From: south Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toast1148

thanks

I pulled the heat shields on my V&H's and wrapped em up until the tips too. I left my scratched-up chrome tips showing, i actually think it looks good on my bike since i have a little chrome on the forks & rocker boxes.

If you can get access to an enclosed sandblaster (with the 'sugar sand' media) that's the way to go. A place i used to work at had one and i did some old headlight bezels for a Jeep that had previously just been 'roughed up' with fine grit sand paper and rattle-canned. The finish and the durability after using the sandblaster the second time around was VERY noticeable... even though it was free rattle-can ultra-flat black.

The key is getting off all that chrome, or else it'll just flake-off cuz it doesn't adhere as well to the chrome as it does bare metal... the more you rough up the chrome the better, but can't beat bare for proper adhesion.

Last edited by capitalist_slave; Dec 26, 2011 at 09:38 PM. Reason: The key is getting off all that chrome,

Dec 26, 2011 | 09:28 PM

twistr

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Joined: Jun 2008

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From: On a Large Sandbar, NY

You can use scotch brite to scuff the chrome to help the paint adhere better...not sure if there is a primer for high heat...I normally just use a good high heat spray paint without primer and lay down numerous coats (3 to 5), never had an issue...I'm sure others will have more suggestions.

Dec 27, 2011 | 12:47 PM

Toast1148

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Mar 2011

Posts: 125

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From: Oklahoma

thanks for the info guys

Im still hesitant to paint them because im afraid they'll start flaking. But ill take in to consideration what everyone has said.

does anyone have any pictures of what I am talking about? wrapped pipes with chrome tips painted black?