Hey guys. All my chrome name plates have been on my workbench since I finished my truck because I wasn't sure about how they'd change the look of my truck. One day I got the idea that they would look really sharp and unobtrusive if I painted them black. I like the way the mirrors look in the green and black.

Can I prime them with self-etch primer then hit them with low sheen black paint? Any recommendations on the type of paint?

Thanks,

It's really (really) tough to get paint to stick to that stuff. It is actually chrome plated plastic; there's a couple of ways they do it. Sometimes it is actually an aluminum coating made to look like chrome.

Anyway, chemical bond is going to be very weak. You have to have a good mechanical bond which means sanding, which is very hard to do in all the little nook/crannies. Which means it'll flake off later.

I don't think a simple etch primer will do it.

I've heard of guys using a mix of muriatic acid to strip this stuff off plastic. I've also heard of using household bleach. I have never tried either, so if you do please be safe.

chris wrote:It's really (really) tough to get paint to stick to that stuff. It is actually chrome plated plastic; there's a couple of ways they do it. Sometimes it is actually an aluminum coating made to look like chrome.

Anyway, chemical bond is going to be very weak. You have to have a good mechanical bond which means sanding, which is very hard to do in all the little nook/crannies. Which means it'll flake off later.

I don't think a simple etch primer will do it.

I've heard of guys using a mix of muriatic acid to strip this stuff off plastic. I've also heard of using household bleach. I have never tried either, so if you do please be safe.

Chris, that's a good idea with the muriatic acid. I imagine that it will etch the heck out of the chrome. I'll do an experiment with my little "SR5" badge and report back.

Thanks.

The muratic acid will definitely remove just about any plating, and will attack base metals. Since it is chrome plated plastic, that won't be an issue for you.
Just make sure you wash the emblems with hot soapy water when you are done to help remove the acid and neutralize the surface. I would hate to have some acid leach out and ruin the finish. Probably wouldn't hurt to give it a bath in some warm baking soda water, since that is one of the most harsh acids you can use. Just be sure to rinse off any soda very well since it also doesn't play nice with primers.

Painting chrome successfully is explained here: http://www.refinishnetwork.com/forum/7- ... eal-chrome You don't need acid.

Just toss those emblems in your cabinet blaster and tickle them with fine media for tooth. It's the same thing that's done to chrome bumpers.

Good info. Wonder if I can do a good acid etch, neutralize, then use Bulldog AP and epoxy.

Anyway, after that, anyone know of a durable satin black compatible with 2K epoxy that I an pick up locally at O'Reilly or Advance Auto Parts?

If you wanna go the cheap way, spray them with plastic dip, if you don`t like how they look , you can peel it off, These young kids today are doing their whole cars in plastic dip, they have many different colors

natemoore wrote:Anyway, after that, anyone know of a durable satin black compatible with 2K epoxy that I an pick up locally at O'Reilly or Advance Auto Parts?

If you can find some SparVar semi flat black. It's the best lookin and durable rattle can paint. I've ever found.
I've only been able to find it in automotive paint stores.

I painted the plastic chrome grill insert on my trailblazer years ago. I hand sanded with 180 really good, 2k primed it and then prepped like normal for paint. No issiues other than a small paint chip from the 75k miles I have put on it since, lol.

Why not just glass bead them then prime and paint?