Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


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Chrome paint / Chrome-like Paint

Is there a possibility to paint chrome-like finish and most importantly how and with what kind of equipment.

Luc Heylens
Stekene, Belgium
1998

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I have exactly the same problem i.e. painting chrome like finish. Does anybody know if there is an easy way to it? Francois Gallichand - St-Romuald, Quebec, Canada 2000 Do they make a chrome paint for cars? christopher r johnson - fort rucker, Alabama 2000

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January 21, 2009

Hi, gentlemen. Yes there are a number of good chrome-look paints. The banner ad at the top of this page will refer you to the suppliers of same who make this site possible, and you can search the internet for others.

Some good-intentioned folks started mentioning their preferences for particular brands but, with the anonymity of the internet, this soon led to a race to the bottom, and we had to delete a number of postings. In fairness, and because it is impossible to vet the posters and determine their vested interests, we removed and must continue to remove brand recommendations.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

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There are a couple of different paints available; [some] are sold to hobby stores for painting RC car bodies, but just look on the web for chrome paint. I paint helmets for Racers and until now there was nothing except Aluminum vacuumization. I have used the chrome paints and it works! It's as chrome as chrome gets. Its awesome. Expensive, but awesome. It can be clear coated so a person can scuff it and spray candy colors or any other colors over it.

G King
- Minnesota
2004

i read from a reader that he uses chrome paint "as chrome as chrome can get". is this the spray on chrome process requiring the special machine, gun etc.? if so, what company have you found sells the best materials for the best results? if not, please advise as to where to order that paint. thanks

manny saavedra
own a shop - luquillo, puerto rico
February 16, 2009

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February 19, 2009

Hi, Manny. Chrome paint is not chrome; it's just paint that is shiny, sort of like chrome. So I take issue with "chrome as chrome can get". For more about real chrome, please see our Chrome Plating FAQs.

As mentioned, we had to remove brand recommendations because it led to a race to the bottom, with shills posting with phony names, pretending to be satisfied customers and trashing the other brands. The internet is too anonymous for certain topics.

But it's like anything else: you may prefer Dodge trucks over Ford or Chevy, but we would not have multiple brands competing in the same space if one was manifestly and undeniably better.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

Unfortunately(I guess), this 62 year old lady just bought an unreturnable chrome serving cart that has a little piece of chrome missing with a couple of tiny bubbles next to it. I can see a little bit of what looks like copper in the area where it's missing. I've been reading that this is going to spread. The area is about 1/3" long X 1/8" wide. What can I do? I don't know anything about chrome. Can I touch it up with some craft paint and then put fingernail polish etc. on it? I need help. Thank you.

Elaine iannon
- ballston spa, New York
February 22, 2009

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Hi, Elaine. This should be returnable because it is not damage, it is a manufacturing defect. Peeling chrome is always a manufacturing defect. Chrome colored nail polish or paint is worth a shot but it's longevity is obviously limited and it won't stick very well.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
February 23, 2009

Once chrome is coming off, which right now is just a little, will it keep coming off even more? Thank you.

Elaine iannon
- ballston spa, New York
February 24, 2009

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February 24, 2009

Hi, Elaine. Anywhere you see blisters it will come off because the plating is not adhering to the substrate. But otherwise it isn't easy to know the extent of the poor adhesion. Sorry.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey