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




-----

Sealer over chrome look paint?

Hey, I just used chrome paint and it looks great. I'm scared to use a clear coat / sealant over it because when I tested both clear acrylic spray and clear lacquer they both ruined the chrome shine - turning it dirty and dull. What should I do? I really need to seal it - the object is intended for heavy use.

Hannah Black
Hobbyist - Auckland, New Zealand
December 5, 2010

---

December 22, 2010

Hi Hannah

You can do several things like you have mentioned, acrylic spray or clear lacquer on top, but it will give dull appearance, just try a nano coating on top of it, it is clear and good for rough use on heavy items too.

Good Luck

Tharanga Jayawardena
- Colombo, Sri Lanka

---

Thanks, Tharanga. But what technology are you suggesting? Silicate, acrylic, urethane, etc. Although "nano" means engineered at the nanometer level, and usually implies the use of particles 1 to 10 nanometer in diameter because their properties may differ from the bulk properties of the same material, sometimes it seems to be just a new buzzword to replace the dated terms "state-of-the-art" and "world class" :-)

Hi, Hanah. Chrome-look paint can be great for hobbyists, but chrome-look paint isn't real nickel-chrome plating or electroless nickel plating, and sometimes that's what you'd really like to have :-)

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
December 22, 2010