Protecting, wrapping and painting chrome car parts. Removing chrome

How to paint a chrome part

Chrome parts are a rather controversial element of car decor, which is caused by its obvious catchiness. Many motorists consider themselves ardent opponents of chrome parts and try in every possible way to camouflage such decorations from car manufacturers by sticking them with a film or painting. Those who are comfortable with chrome are also often forced to mask the decor due to scratches or cracks on it. Yes, chrome plating is not a particularly resistant coating and is often rubbed or even swollen on radiator grilles, which looks very unpleasant.

To combat such imperfections, you can use color film, but the film will also lose its appearance over time and begin to peel off. It is best to paint the chrome black, which always looks acceptable and even stylish.

What do you need to paint over chrome elements?

To carry out such a procedure, stock up on the following tools and materials:

For a primer, it is best to take a two-component solution, which is considered more "professional". It dries longer, but the adhesion of paint layers to the surface of the part will be more reliable and durable. The primer in a spray can will be more budgetary, but you should not save on it, it is better to buy a more expensive one. Also, when choosing a primer, do not buy into additional special effects such as anticorrosive, usually they are also not of very high quality.

See also: do-it-yourself car painting with liquid rubber

Parts painting process

The process of working with chromium is quite lengthy, while you need to be careful and perform priming according to the following scheme:

• Remove the chrome part from the car with a flat tool, depending on the case, it can be a flat screwdriver or a clip-on tool.
• Rub the chrome surface with sandpaper until a matte effect appears. Sometimes, if the chrome is already fairly cracked, then you can remove the chrome coating with a knife or the same screwdriver. It will come off in small pieces resembling foil.

You can use scotchbrite to matt all glossy surfaces. This should be done very carefully and “wet”, since any glossy area, even the smallest one, can cause the paint to crack and peel off.

A sufficiently matted chrome surface will resemble aluminum, in some places copper glimpses may be visible. Further, this surface can be painted by performing preliminary priming.

• Then the part must be washed very well and dried perfectly, then a degreaser should be applied.
• If your part is not completely, but only fragments covered with chrome, then the next step is to apply a primer for plastic parts coated with chrome. Read the instructions carefully and do everything according to the manufacturer's instructions - shake the can for a minute, then spray an even layer, wait 5 minutes until it dries and repeat the application. It is very important not to get on matted chrome. Leave to dry for 15-20 minutes.

Please note that it is impossible to completely remove the chrome film from the part by hand, all you can achieve at home is grouting the chrome to a matte state. This is necessary to increase adhesion, which will prevent peeling of the paint.

In addition, it is advisable to use a phosphating or acid primer, as it can penetrate quite deeply into the micro-scratches of the chrome.

See also: car paint

Painting chrome parts

The next step is to apply a layer of paint, during which it is very important to paint all the gaps. The paint should dry between coats for 5-10 minutes. There should be 3-4 layers of paint in total.

Half an hour after applying the last coat of paint, spray varnish on the surface. You need to apply it with very light movements from a long distance, since it is more liquid than paint and can cause streaks that are almost impossible to remove. Apply it in two layers, taking a break of 15 minutes. Leave all this to dry for at least a day, after which the part can be returned to the car body.

Features of working with chrome-plated parts

During preparatory work and during the painting process, it may be difficult to remove chrome, which is best rubbed with a special machine. Manual work will require diligence and a large supply of free time.

If you decide to transform the appearance of your car on your own and change the boring chrome parts to beautiful jet black ones, then you should be patient and use high-quality materials. This process is very long, especially if you have to remove the chrome from the plastic yourself, but by following our recommendations, you will be able to do this work efficiently, and the effect will last for a long time.

Moscow Automobile and Road State University. Moscow. Level of education: Higher. Faculty: AT. Specialty: Engineer Cars and automotive industry. Experience in the automotive industry (master consultant…

http://okuzove.ru

“Antichrome” is the application of a black glossy film to chrome body elements or their coloring in order to protect against corrosion, which leads to clouding and the disappearance of gloss. This service is also essential to ensure that the chrome is protected from scratches that further aggravate the rusting process.

Applying film to chrome parts

Today, the service of pasting chrome with black film or vinyl of any other shade is very popular. This is due to the fact that these works take much less time than painting chrome parts. In addition, vinyl is a very plastic material. It easily takes the required shape and easily glues to any body elements, including complex and embossed ones. So, for example, pasting moldings with a film allows you to change the design of the car. It provides protection to the paintwork, and also helps to renew the look of worn parts and keep new ones. Pasting parts with vinyl includes a thorough washing of chrome elements, their degreasing, special cleaning and film application.

Painting chrome elements

Painting a chrome grille and other elements is a longer process than gluing moldings, etc. This service is suitable if the coating has already been corroded, it is damaged and it needs to be restored to its attractive appearance. Painting chrome black, as well as any other shade, will get rid of all these shortcomings. The main advantage of "Antichrome" is that it will protect the surface of parts for a long time. This service includes the dismantling of elements, their cleaning and degreasing, removing chrome from plastic with a chemical composition, priming, painting in the selected shade, varnishing, and then installing it back on the car.

Our offer

Do you want to paint chrome or paste over handles, grille and other car elements? Studio "Autoreform" offers to order the service "Antichrome" on a car, the prices for which will pleasantly surprise you. We have vinyl films on chrome that differ in texture, shade and reflectivity. And the paint that we use imitates different metals - silver, gold, bronze, brass. We also provide the Shadow Line service - painting the car's chrome parts black. Thanks to this, you can create the design of the machine that will meet all your preferences.

Do you want to know the price of painting moldings, removing chrome from the grille or the cost of any other service? Call our specialists by phone numbers from the "Contacts" section.

Elements and details with a shiny mirror surface give the interior and car tuning elegance. It is impossible to make a full-fledged chrome coating at home. Sophisticated energy-intensive equipment is available to enterprises. Electroplating is done only on metal with a low carbon content. Chrome paint creates a complete illusion of an expensive coating, and with simple equipment and patience, the chrome effect can be made by hand on various materials, including plastic.

Complicated chrome plating process not available at home

Vadik came to visit me and lost his peace. I restored plastic chairs in the dining room, making an imitation of a chrome surface on them. The furniture remained old, but the mirror fragments on the surface changed it greatly. The interior has acquired a luxurious shining look.

My friend saw this as a solution to two problems at once. His wife wanted to create an original techno kitchen. Vadik was going to give the rims from the wheels for chrome paint. He was looking for a way to do everything with his own hands. I honestly confessed to him that I decided to put the car in order, to create a chrome-plated protective surface on the parts. He practiced technology on chairs.

The composition of the Chrome effect is sold:

• in metal cans for sprayers and airbrushes;
• two-component mixture and solvent for it;
• spray in cans.

The results of my experiments showed that chrome paint from a can creates a truly mirror-like shining surface. Spray is best used when you need to cover a small area of ​​plastic or part. It does not have the necessary equipment. The coating of their can is a spray that looks like real chrome, but is inferior to the composition from the can in strength and brilliance. Surface preparation and application is similar to paint from a can.

Chrome effect spray and thermochromic paint in cans, mainly used for graffiti and interior decoration.

Matting chrome parts and painting

Vadik has already tried to make a mirror surface with his own hands. He showed that he did not succeed in painting the chrome parts. After trying to wash them, everything started to peel off. He used black backing and epoxy varnish. The film was hard enough, but did not adhere to the chromed metal.

Advantages of electroplating with chromium, nickel and cadmium in:

• corrosion protection;
• high hardness and resistance to abrasion and scratching;
• repulsion of dirt and dust - there is practically no adhesion.

Dirt and paint do not stick to the chrome-plated surface. Therefore, special training is needed. I did not tell my friend how to paint a chrome part, I decided to show it in practice using the “victims” of his experiment.

Having bought everything we needed, we began to fix the mutilated parts.

1. They removed everything that Vadik had applied, trying to create a chrome effect with his own hands. Degreased.
2. The surface was matted with a P2000 fine sandpaper - they created a roughness, partially removing chrome.
3. A two-component phosphating primer was sprayed on to level the surface. You can use an acid composition. It is liquid enough for spray and airbrush application. These materials penetrate deep into the base metal.
4. The car primer was applied in 2 layers with an interval of 40 minutes. The dried surface was polished.
5. For the purity of the experiment, the paint was used the same - spray. Applied in 2 layers, trying to make them thin and uniform. It took 15 minutes to dry.
6. Finally, a thick layer of two-component varnish was applied from the sprayer. After complete hardening, the surface was polished. A napkin is included with the purchase.
7. Rinse the part with distilled water from a pressure hose.

Paint - spray requires constant and active mixing. However, coverage may be uneven.

Attention! Use only the solvents indicated on the package. Acetone is not compatible with all materials used to create the chrome effect.

A few days later, Vadik conducted an experiment. He dropped parts on the floor, directed a stream of water at them in several atmospheres, washed them with cheap sink products and even a weak solution of acid. The coating retained its appearance and remained intact.

Creating a chrome surface on plastic and other materials

Chrome paint finish

With the help of chrome paint, you can do it with your own hands to paint plastic, wood and stone under the effect of a metal mirror. To do this, clean the surface of dirt, degrease it and remove dust. The primer should be selected according to the type of material and in contact with the nitro base. When painting under chrome and creating mirror surfaces under other metals, only black composition is used.

An acrylic or similar two-component liquid varnish is applied to the base that has covered the plastic surface. After mixing with the hardener, it is diluted with a solvent. Lacquer is applied on a surface that has not dried to the end. Aged for a day, polished and washed. Then chrome paint is applied and varnish again.

Plastic does not tolerate the elevated temperatures of the drying chamber. Therefore, the exposure was made for the crystallization of materials for a day. Choose durable items. On the surface of flexible plastic, the coating will not last long.

We make disks with a mirror surface

We paint disks with our own hands

Vadik and I had to paint the wheels in chrome. Decided to do in my garage, it is better equipped. They took off both cars, they did not remove the slopes. The rubber was covered with newspapers and film. Then everything was cleaned of dirt, dust, remnants of the old coating and walked with sandpaper. Rinse with distilled water and lay out on a workbench.

1. Apply 2 coats of black base coat. Put in the oven for 20 minutes at 60 degrees. This temperature does not affect the rubber. Washed with distilled water.
2. Acrylic varnish was sprayed with a large air supply in small portions. Vadik laid the first layer with his own hands. He had used the spray before, had experience, and acted similarly.
3. After drying, rinse again with water.
4. Painted chrome. With universal spray. A friend worked as an airbrusher. Polished after crystallization with a napkin. Washed with water and dried.
5. Acrylic varnish was applied the next day.

A day later, the surface was washed under pressure with water. Our discs shone.

Advice! On the edge of the disc, try to apply thinner layers. Then, when disassembling the wheel, the paint will remain.

Surprises of thermochromic paint

Chrome paint on car body

While my friend and I were creating mirror shine on the disks with our own hands, our sons had fun creating disappearing and appearing patterns. Thermochromic paint as a filler has pigments that become transparent at a certain temperature. She happens.

Chrome is a modern, practical material that looks great and is not prone to corrosion. Things coated with this metal look stylish and interesting, but, unfortunately, tastes change and it is quite possible that a chrome chair will need to be repainted in matte black to match the surrounding interior. Also, old things with time-damaged chrome coating often need to be painted - by applying paint on them, you can get very attractive products that will become a real decoration of the interior. How to paint a chrome item at home using improvised means and the most common acrylic or latex paint?

Materials and tools

The list of items and materials needed for painting chrome is quite extensive, but there is nothing expensive or difficult to acquire in it. Everything that you may need in work can be easily bought at any household goods store:

• Rubber gloves;
• Respirator;
• plastic container;
• Toothbrush;
• Liquid soap with degreasing effect;
• Sandpaper 120, 240 and 320;
• brushes;
• Spray;
• Primer for metal;
• Putty for metal;
• Latex or acrylic paint for metal;
• Protective film.

Optionally, some items shown here may change. For example, if we are talking about painting chrome faucets, then it is better to use car paint primer and car enamel.

Getting Started

First of all, it is necessary to thoroughly wash and degrease the object being processed. To do this, mix liquid soap with warm water in a plastic container and wash the product well. It is important to get rid of dirt even in hard-to-reach places, so you can use a toothbrush for cleaning. After the product has been washed, it must be dried well. Now you can start preparing the surface for painting and directly applying the coating.

Every car owner wants his car to stand out from the rest. Service stations today offer completely, thanks to which the car looks exclusive and extravagant. Metallic and mother-of-pearl paint is still popular, and some car enthusiasts are experimenting with color by painting the car in chameleon tones. But the most fashionable option for painting the body has now become chrome paint.

Chrome plating and gilding of cars are often asked to be done by owners of exclusive cars. Sometimes painting can be done using other colors (nickel paint and black chrome paint). It is possible to chrome not the entire body of the car as a whole, but only its parts, because car windows, wheels and any plastic parts can be painted.

More recently, to obtain a chrome finish, experts sheathed a car with real chrome (plates of minimum thickness). Then it was carefully varnished and returned to the owner. The desired effect was achieved, but hexavalent chromium had a very negative effect on health. Therefore, completely new car paints and chrome plating methods have appeared.

Often racing cars lend themselves to chrome plating, which produce a simply fantastic effect on the audience. A base coat of chrome allows a variety of design ideas to come to life, as the chrome will break through the top coat of paint and create a shimmering effect.

Painting the entire body of the car with chrome is not the best way out, since it will look too pretentious, and in sunny weather, problems can arise for all road users.

Finishing the body with such material is not only giving the car a more stylish and noble appearance, but also a great way to protect it from the negative effects of the environment. It should be noted that the cost of such a procedure is quite high.

Chrome plating technologies

There are several popular methods of chrome plating of car body parts and other parts:

• Chrome plating with film.

Such a film costs very little compared to other chromium plating technologies. In addition, you can choose absolutely any shade, and if the color is rather tired, such a film is removed very simply and the car takes on its original appearance. Often the paint applied at the factory is covered with a film of chrome, after which it becomes more resistant to damage.

• electroplating

Chrome paint applied in this way has a very high percentage of reflective effect. Such a procedure is much more expensive, but this is offset by the ability to bring to life all the most daring design ideas. All parts chrome-plated in this way will not turn yellow under the influence of ultraviolet light, and the coating will not peel off from them.

• Electrochemical chromium plating

This method, during which chrome is applied to a car, is considered the most expensive. To carry out such a procedure, not only special equipment is required, but also the practical skills of the master. To make the effect especially fashionable, it is necessary to apply a special metal sublayer and only after that chromium is applied to the body part using electrical deposition. If it is necessary to increase the wear resistance of the part, a sublayer of metal is not applied.

• Catalytic chromium plating

During the painting process, a specialist applies several layers of a special liquid to the car body. It is absolutely safe for humans and does not contain acids. Using this method, chrome can be applied to a car in different shades, and if the car owner wishes, a mirror effect with reflection can be created (this requires an absolutely flat surface). This method is ideal for chrome plating of flexible parts, as well as parts of motorcycles, since using other methods in such places the coating may begin to peel off.

Chromed paint. Application features

A special chrome effect paint is used to paint the car. Before the procedure, the car must be thoroughly cleaned and prepared, as before the usual painting. The painting process has some differences with the application of conventional paintwork.

In auto repair shops, chrome paint for cars is applied in several stages:

1. A thin layer of black paint is applied to the surface of the part or body. Before this, the surface is carefully prepared.
2. After the paint has dried, it is polished.
3. The surface is degreased and in order for the next applied layer to lie more evenly, it is heated with hot air.
4. Then a special chrome paint for cars is applied using a spray gun. It contains aluminum microparticles.
5. After this layer has dried, the surface of the body is carefully polished and the desired texture is created with the help of tools.

In some workshops, chrome paint for cars is applied using a different method:

1. The surface is covered with a layer of primer, which is highly adhesive and creates reflections, therefore it is considered a good base.
2. Paint is sprayed over the primer, which gives the surface a reflective mirror effect. So that they do not appear on the body, the master uses a distiller.
3. At the final stage, chrome paint is covered with a special protective layer that contains colored pigments. They create the effect of silvering or gilding and have a high percentage of reflective effect (94%).

How to paint your car chrome

Unfortunately, most of the chrome plating methods that are used in modern auto repair shops cannot be used at home. But chrome coating of plastic and body parts can be done in your garage if you know some painting secrets.

The room in which the procedure will be carried out must be thoroughly cleaned of dirt and accumulated dust. You will also need an airbrush, which will be needed in the process. To understand what effect can really be achieved, before starting the procedure, you can experiment a little on old car parts. The whole procedure of car chrome plating includes several stages:

• The prepared part is covered with black paint.
• Only after its complete drying, the surface must be carefully polished. Outwardly, it should resemble glass.
• The surface is degreased with alcohol, and then warmed up well with a hair dryer.
• Then chrome is sprayed (you need to remember that there should be more air in the tool than paint). After complete drying, the surface is polished again.

You will need to apply several layers of chrome, after thoroughly drying each one. Then the part will need to be dried (the better the drying, the stronger the mirror effect will appear).

Chrome wheel painting

Today, you won’t surprise anyone with chrome rims, although a few years ago, painting rims in chrome was a great way to make your car stand out from the stream of others. Chrome plating is the application of a special coating on wheels that creates a mirror effect.

Such tuning allows not only to decorate your vehicle, but also reliably protects the discs from various damages, environmental influences and corrosive processes.

Chrome rims are especially suitable for motorists who prefer to drive at high speeds, since strong pressure, stress on the rims and temperature changes provoke premature wear and breakage.

How to paint wheels in chrome with your own hands?

Before coating, the disc must be prepared (surfaced and polished), then degreased so that the adhesion of the chrome and the disc is as strong as possible. All disc mounting holes must be closed to prevent chromium from getting into them.

For painting, you can purchase a special aerosol can and carry out the procedure at home. But this does not guarantee the appearance of a mirror shine on the discs, and the effect will last until the first wash.

All methods of painting rims in chrome are not considered to be of high quality, since the desired result can only be achieved by painting with chrome itself.

Therefore, it is better to entrust this procedure to professionals who will make high-quality diffuse or galvanic plating of discs with chrome.

Do you want to know everything about car painting? Read more helpful articles:

• . We paint with our own hands.
• . Use wisely.
• . What painters need.