Do it right. You will not be happy with Chrome spray, unless you are painting your car with Krylon. 
Chrome bumper spray?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Princeton NJ
Chrome bumper spray?
I'm about to strip down the paint job on my '72, fix all the fiberglass cracks/holes/etc, and repaint with a 2-footer. My chrome bumpers have seen better days. I don't really want to splurge even more money for replacements. Would it be totally awful to use something like "chrome-like finish" bumper paint on my bumpers (e.g. http://www.midwayautosupply.com/deta...ption.asp?2547)?
Clearly I would scrub off the rust first (steel wool?) and perhaps even apply an anti-rust primer. Anybody have any experience with this? I'm expecting everyone to be shocked but maybe someone had a good experience?
Clearly I would scrub off the rust first (steel wool?) and perhaps even apply an anti-rust primer. Anybody have any experience with this? I'm expecting everyone to be shocked but maybe someone had a good experience?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 29,745
Likes: 3
From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
CI-VIII Burnout Champ
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
chrome paint in a spray can looks like crap when it's compared to chrome. Do it right and get the bumper re-chromed by a good shop.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 17
Give it a try:
Clean one of your bumpers as well as you can. Mask off half of it, as well as nearby paint, etc. Spray half of it and decide for yourself.
I tend to agree with the others, but chrome paint is much better than it used to be. I used some Ace Hardware Artistic Finish #17047 Chrome spray recently on a project, and was surprised at how chrome-like it turned out.
Clean one of your bumpers as well as you can. Mask off half of it, as well as nearby paint, etc. Spray half of it and decide for yourself.
I tend to agree with the others, but chrome paint is much better than it used to be. I used some Ace Hardware Artistic Finish #17047 Chrome spray recently on a project, and was surprised at how chrome-like it turned out.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
New paint types exist that will provide a 100% chrome look, although not as durable as chrome. Would be possible to paint the whole car with chrome paint. see link below.
http://www.chrom-tech.com/index_engl.htm
http://www.chrom-tech.com/index_engl.htm
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Princeton NJ
Thanks, you guys are great. As usual, have given me some good opinions to think about!
I don't know about painting my whole car chrome, but those pictures were awesome, haha!
My car unfortunately has to stay outside with a car cover during the winter months in NJ, so I'm hesitant about sending them off to get re-chromed only to have them come under heavy conditions again this winter.
Thus, I'm inclined to lean towards trying it out on a spot and see how I like it. I've been shopping for good paint and have seen considerable variability. Are there any other suggestions for the chrome? I'll check out the local Ace Hardware, too.
I figure as long as I can avoid the bad stuff, maybe it at least won't turn out as bad as the rust (heavy in the rear) I have now?
On a side note, I'm gonna try out the cast iron spray paint on a spot too. My mufflers are red/brown from the rust!
Comes with the excessive heat I suppose (yes, my headers need new coatings at some point before racing again too!).
I don't know about painting my whole car chrome, but those pictures were awesome, haha!
My car unfortunately has to stay outside with a car cover during the winter months in NJ, so I'm hesitant about sending them off to get re-chromed only to have them come under heavy conditions again this winter.
Thus, I'm inclined to lean towards trying it out on a spot and see how I like it. I've been shopping for good paint and have seen considerable variability. Are there any other suggestions for the chrome? I'll check out the local Ace Hardware, too.
I figure as long as I can avoid the bad stuff, maybe it at least won't turn out as bad as the rust (heavy in the rear) I have now?
On a side note, I'm gonna try out the cast iron spray paint on a spot too. My mufflers are red/brown from the rust!
Comes with the excessive heat I suppose (yes, my headers need new coatings at some point before racing again too!).
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Princeton NJ
Also:
Any techniques for preparing the bumper for painting would be most appreciated! (Steel wool to get rust off? Clean with a specific solvent or just simple soap for grime from the elements? I assume not CLR, haha!).
Any techniques for preparing the bumper for painting would be most appreciated! (Steel wool to get rust off? Clean with a specific solvent or just simple soap for grime from the elements? I assume not CLR, haha!).
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Try rubbing the bumper with wadded-up aluminum foil. If the chrome is pitted it will still look bad but the foil should remove the rust stains. Of course you will need to sand or otherwise rough up the chrome surface for the paint to adhere. In my opinion, since the chrome bumper cars are the most desireable models, save up some money and get the bumpers re-plated.
Rick B.
Rick B.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Princeton NJ
So would you agree to the statement that the spray is a good short term fix for the $$ and in the outdoors and once I move to CA and get a garage, I should get them replated?
Estimates on replating? $400? $4000?
Estimates on replating? $400? $4000?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Princeton NJ
Also, my car is about as non-stock as you can get. Even the original 350 was bored out to 383 and I have a 6-speed rather than a 4, and EFI instead of the original carbs. It's a >550HP beast that sounds like a bus at the moment and anyone wanting it (even though I'm not selling it at the moment) would need to ignore a lot more than just chrome painted bumpers....
But I still definitely see your point and it is well taken. The debate is whether I should save up (and how much) before getting the paint job and fiberglass, or whether chrome-like paint could be "pretty close" for the short term, until I'm ready for replating and keeping the condition for the long term. It seems like I see the rust spot # increase by the month, so I don't want to get it replated only to have wasted the $$.
Thanks!!!!
But I still definitely see your point and it is well taken. The debate is whether I should save up (and how much) before getting the paint job and fiberglass, or whether chrome-like paint could be "pretty close" for the short term, until I'm ready for replating and keeping the condition for the long term. It seems like I see the rust spot # increase by the month, so I don't want to get it replated only to have wasted the $$.
Thanks!!!!
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 560
Likes: 1
From: Dacula GA
Couple of Ideas
I also agree that the preferred method would be to go with rechroming however I have a couple of ideas to think about. 1. Why not think about painting the bumbers to match the car, with a little elbow grease you should be able to make them slick. 2. I have a good freind in the powder coating business and he has a chrome powder coat. Not quite as brilliant as chrome but very close and from 5 feet you can't tell. And talk about durable that stuff will outlast the car if done correctly. Note this is not a ceramic coating.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 0
From: Moon Township PA
Originally Posted by lsorense
New paint types exist that will provide a 100% chrome look, although not as durable as chrome. Would be possible to paint the whole car with chrome paint. see link below.
http://www.chrom-tech.com/index_engl.htm
http://www.chrom-tech.com/index_engl.htm
Gary
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Princeton NJ
Thanks for the thoughts.
How much would new repros be vs. replating? Can someone fill in the blank: "You should spend $___ on a decent replating and $___ on a really good plating."
Apparently new bumpers are $400 from a place like MidAmerica, but whether those are quality remains to be seen...
How much would new repros be vs. replating? Can someone fill in the blank: "You should spend $___ on a decent replating and $___ on a really good plating."
Apparently new bumpers are $400 from a place like MidAmerica, but whether those are quality remains to be seen...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,295
Likes: 30
From: one night in Bangkok you are never lonely
To me it sounds like you have some money tied up in your motor trans combo, so why would you try to make your car look like a cheap truck?
Re chrome the bumpers, they have lasted this lone and after rechroming they should last a long time again. My $0.02
Re chrome the bumpers, they have lasted this lone and after rechroming they should last a long time again. My $0.02
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Princeton NJ
Originally Posted by Bangkok Dean
To me it sounds like you have some money tied up in your motor trans combo, so why would you try to make your car look like a cheap truck?
Re chrome the bumpers, they have lasted this lone and after rechroming they should last a long time again. My $0.02
Re chrome the bumpers, they have lasted this lone and after rechroming they should last a long time again. My $0.02