I have read some of the messages in the archives on ways to prep chrome to paint detailing. The area is small and detailed so I will try the different methods recommended.
MY QUESTION IS: What paint is best recommended on chrome(durable, best quality) if I do not want to use a spray painting method? Being it has a small detailed area I would prefer hand detailing with a precise and professional look desired in the finished product. Any help will be appreciated!

Either Rustoleum or signpainters enamel will work very well.

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Digger
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DSRA Member

I threw it away yesterday, now I have to go buy one
Just when you think you have won the Rat Race along come faster rats

Im gonna mirror what Digger said.....hit it with a light sand paper to knock the shine down (leaves fine scratches for the paint to adhere to) then give it a whirl with either a rattle can or airbrush.
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D.S.R.A- Lower Susquehanna Chapter N.S.R.A Member
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EdCroozers new found Nephew, Delivery35's long lost son & MrWillys Younger brother from another mother..Amateur Rod & Custom Illustrator/Designer

One shot works pretty good, but to really make paint stick to chrome or SS you need to lay down a coat of that see through green primer - I think it's zinc chromate or something like that - sticks like crazy and allows the top coat to adhere to the chrome.
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Thanks guys. I will look for the Rustoleum brush on products. Does the "green" stuff come in a brush on medium? Also who sells this stuff?

After more research I found that Zinc Chromate was really used as a rust inhibitor. I found nothing that suggested it was used beneficially on slick surfaces such as chrome. It is also no longer used as the chromate is concidered unsafe so obtaining it might even be a hurdle I don't want to get over. I still would like more suggestions on the prep for the chrome. Thanks.

Cathy, it would help if you could tell us a little more about your project. If the surface is easy to get at, just rough it up a bit and use sign painters "One Shot" paint on it and it should hold up fine. The Rustoleum works pretty well to but does not flow quite as well.
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Digger
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DSRA Member

I threw it away yesterday, now I have to go buy one
Just when you think you have won the Rat Race along come faster rats

It is a hubcap for a wall. The lettering is recessed with a rounded edge...no real defined start or finish. Hard to get in the areas around the lettering without a mask. I have read Muriatic acid would etch but the technicallity of getting the acid on and off without getting it out the rest of the chrome prooves to be a real roadblock. Other advice so far would be to use an airbrush sandblast tool with a mask sounds like the best overall quality effect. I had been steered toward the "One Shot" earlier today at a pro-art supplier locally so I think that is a thumbs up on a good choice of paint. It is a good paint for hiding brush strokes. Sounds like it will give me the desired enamel look I want to achieve too. I am going to practice on some old hubcaps before I atempt the final project. You guys have been very helpful soo far! Thanks again.

Cathy,
If you have a PPG jobber close to you I would recommend using PPG's SX1031 etch primer(SXA1031 is aerosol)it provides excellent adhesion & corrosion resistance to properly prepared Steel , Stainlees steel & Aluminum.(crome is very hard to get paint to stick to , but this should help matters if sanded real good ).

First sand area with 320 grit sand paper, then clean with a wax & grease remover(DX330 or DX440), apply 2-3 coats with 3-5 minutes between coats, let set 1 hour, then paint.
Hope this helps,
SprayTech

Cathy, you can use Ppg Dp90 it is like an etcing paint and it will let the paint adhere to what you want it to......Johnny
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A GOODGUYS REP

Hey, Deuce.....I don't speek autopaint language as of yet....."Jack of all trades, Master of none!"....so what is this exactly? An auto paint?

Cathy, now that we know what you are up to, just use a little brush and forget the primer and you will be fine. as long as it is a decoration and not goung to be out in the elements you don't have to worry. Make sure the surface is super clean, Windex with ammonia will work for that. You may need a little linseed oil and turpentine. Just ask the people at the art supply store.
You shouldn't need to worry about etching it either.
Good Luck
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Digger
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DSRA Member

I threw it away yesterday, now I have to go buy one
Just when you think you have won the Rat Race along come faster rats

Well, since I am basically an artist and thourough with my homework ....my brother has "friends" and I see a future demand for these on their wheels if you know what I mean. I do top quality work and wouldn't want the "friends" to be disapointed a year from now when the paint starts peeling off. My brother gave me this challenge probably because he knew I could step up to the challenge. If he had his way I would cob it out quickly and be done with it already! I want my work to outlast their hotrod days! LOL

Cathy, As this will be be my second to last post, I will check with my chromer on Monday the 24th and post his opinions.
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Second cousin and friend of Edcroozer, 3rd. member of WPoC, Founding member and V.P. of Burl. Co. Mopars, DSRA member, D.A.M.M., and politically incorrect.

I know its yesterdays news, but regarding zinc chromate...it is a corrosion inhibitor used primarily on aluminum. We use it all the time at the airplane shop i work in. If you really want it, it should not be hard to get. However, it wont just stick to the chrome. As with any painting, the surface should be sanded, at least lightly. Then, rustoleum should be fine. I have used rustoleum on chrome even without sanding and i had no peeling or anything.
sorry about the long-winded-ness ;)
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