To those with painted chrome grille...

MasterAK · Jul 15, 2009, 06:16 PM

Did you paint on top of the chrome or did you st;rip the chrome?
How can you strip the chrome plating to get to the bare plastic?

The reason why I'm asking is that I'm repainting mine for the second time because of rock chips and I find it impossible to remove the chrome plating. I think that if I remove the chrome the primer will adhere better resulting in less rock chips.

jer301 · Jul 15, 2009, 07:19 PM

If you want to remove the chrome, it is just paint and thinner or mineral spirits might remove it.

Luckily, I remembered where i had looked this up for an f150 grille:

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/25...ic-chrome.html

There are some self etching primers that you can use, but this is what i did on my f150 and I have had no issues for almost 2 years:

1) rough up chrome surfaces with 600 grit sandpaper. work the paper into the corners. for the knooks and crannies, wrap the sandpaper around something thin and flat like a butter knife. I spent most of the day on this step.
2) clean thouroghly with isopropyl alcohol to remove contaniments.
3) repeat steps 1 and 2.
4) make sure to cover the plastic for a little while to let it cool after preping the surface. This is the most important step b/c as you will read in the thread the primer won't bond well to the plastic if it is hot. i took mine off and did it indoors.
5) prime then after drying paint the grille.
6) reinstall

I would stay between 400 and 600 grit sand paper or you might see scratches below the paint.

MasterAK · Jul 15, 2009, 07:55 PM

Thank you. I will do this tomorrow.

absolute · Jul 16, 2009, 10:09 AM

i just plastidip'd over it w/o removing the chrome =P works greats survived carwashes and doesnt look like its coming off...also rock chip resistant cuz its slightly flexible considering its synthetic rubber

MasterAK · Jul 16, 2009, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by absolute

i just plastidip'd over it w/o removing the chrome =P works greats survived carwashes and doesnt look like its coming off...also rock chip resistant cuz its slightly flexible considering its synthetic rubber

I have a can of that. But to me, that looks like a temporary solution.

However the chrome plating is to hard to be removed and I won't do it. (I could hardly scrape a small portion with a screwdriver, sandpaper and wire scrapers have no effect).
I found what caused chipping though. I had used primer sealer instead of primer. I'm gonna do it right this time.

RTW EVO · Jul 16, 2009, 11:56 AM

What color are you painting it? If it's black, why not just buy the RalliArt one. I found mine on ebay for $90... It's also a matte finish which should be easier to paint

jer301 · Jul 17, 2009, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MasterAK

I have a can of that. But to me, that looks like a temporary solution.

However the chrome plating is to hard to be removed and I won't do it. (I could hardly scrape a small portion with a screwdriver, sandpaper and wire scrapers have no effect).
I found what caused chipping though. I had used primer sealer instead of primer. I'm gonna do it right this time.

So How did it come out? Sounds like you had some issues. When i used the sandpaper, it took me almost all day to get it roughed up. I did not remove the chrome paint, i only roughed the surface with sandpaper. I hope everything came out okay.

MasterAK · Jul 17, 2009, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jer301

So How did it come out? Sounds like you had some issues. When i used the sandpaper, it took me almost all day to get it roughed up. I did not remove the chrome paint, i only roughed the surface with sandpaper. I hope everything came out okay.

Everything went fine. I roughed up the chrome but I originally wanted to remove it all. However I laid several coats of primer->primer sealer->paint.

LancerEVA06 · Jul 17, 2009, 08:05 PM

Scuff up the chrome, put down a few coats of SELF-ETCHING primer, let dry, final sand with 400 grit. If you want a very durable finish use a base/clear with a catalyst.

Infamous_pt4 · Jul 17, 2009, 08:08 PM

i had no problems with mine , i sanded all the chrome off , and hit 4 coats of primer , i used sandable rim primer cuz its more durable , and i used 4 coats of flat black , also rim paint because of how durable it is , and i have had no issues yet

snoopyjoe · Jul 31, 2009, 09:07 PM

Check out PlastiDip. It has a nice matte black finish and its removable.

LancerEVA06 · Jul 31, 2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snoopyjoe

Check out PlastiDip. It has a nice matte black finish and its removable.

How marr resistant is that stuff? I know the soft touch dupont paint is really tough (but permanant), but once it's scuffed or mared, it's done for.

snoopyjoe · Aug 1, 2009, 05:47 PM

I plastidip my chrome grill over a week ago. Its been 80+ degrees and windy and its cleaner that the rest of the car! If you put 3 to 4 coats on it the grill would break before the plastidip came off. Its diffenitley worth the $6 to try and if u dont like the look just peel it off. Soon as the wind dies down ima do my front nose.

eyekyu · Aug 1, 2009, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LancerEVA06

How marr resistant is that stuff? I know the soft touch dupont paint is really tough (but permanant), but once it's scuffed or mared, it's done for.

Have had mine for a couple months now its been threw several car washes, it gets beat up by bugs and 110+ weather and still strong.

ive heard it comes off pretty easy, so if it chips just peel and re-paint