Metal finishing Q&As since 1989
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Painting Chrome to Woodgrain?
I'm a painter in FL and I'm painting woodgrain graphics on cars but now people are wanting there chrome 24 inch wheels painted woodgrain effect I see wheels colored all the time but I'm guessing thats powder coating. I'm using auto paint can I just 80 grit/ then 120 grit/ etch prime /then 2k prime the chrome and then finish it off to paint?
Adrian Jon SullivanAuto Painter - Jacksonville, Florida
2005
Painting chrome?
Apparently not all the loose nuts in the country end up in California.
- Goleta, California
Finishing.com honored Ken for his countless carefully researched responses. He passed away May 14, 2015.Rest in peace, Ken. Thank you for your hard work which the finishing world, and we at finishing.com, continue to benefit from.
2005
They're probably for export to California, Ken.
Adrian, chrome does not "wet" at all, so must be completely removed. And under that is nickel plating, and copper plating, and maybe electroless nickel plating--and none of them are good for painting onto. Your plan will probably work after a fashion, but if you can align yourself with a plating shop who can strip the wheels you might be better off. The best plan would be to find a manufacturer from whom you can get bare wheels, but that may not be compatible with your business plan if it is to rework consumers' wheels.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2005
How could anybody ever get their dignity back if they were seen in public driving a car with woodgrain wheels?
Sheldon Taylor
supply chain electronics
Wake Forest, North Carolina
2005
2006
1) Alsa Corp., makes a clear that they advertise as sticking to chrome. This could also be used as a base for other finishes. I haven't used this particular product, but the Alsa stuff I have used is fabulous (velvet and soft-feel).
2) Who said anything about self-respect? ;) We just paints 'em like they tells us to!
3) Alsa also makes some really cool water transfer stuff that allows you to transfer complex patterns to 3D parts, including wood grain, if you're interested in going into it in a bigger way.
4) No, I don't work for Alsa. Just a humble job shop, but thought this might be relevant.
- Sarasota, Florida, USA
If the wheels were painted tutti-fruitti it wouldn't reflect on the painter, just the driver :-). The customer's vision is always right as long as the check doesn't bounce!
Sheldon Taylor
supply chain electronics
Wake Forest, North Carolina
2006
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