Painting over chrome
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- x01660
- Titanium Member
- Posts: 419
- Joined: Fri Nov 03, 2017 11:55 pm
- Location: Ventura, CA
Painting over chrome
Hey, y'all.
Got a 78 GL1000, pretty much stock.
I REALLY hate chrome, and I wanna black out my whole bike.
Any recomendations on how to go about blacking out all the chrome? Do I have to clean and sand before applying paint? Or is there a paint that will stick to chrome without it being roughed with sandpaper?
Thanks!
Got a 78 GL1000, pretty much stock.
I REALLY hate chrome, and I wanna black out my whole bike.
Any recomendations on how to go about blacking out all the chrome? Do I have to clean and sand before applying paint? Or is there a paint that will stick to chrome without it being roughed with sandpaper?
Thanks!
-x01660
"The best motorcycle is the one well ridden"
"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." ~Friedrich Nietzsche
"The best motorcycle is the one well ridden"
"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." ~Friedrich Nietzsche
- 5speed
- Honored Life Member
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- Location: Nova Scotia Canada
Re: Painting over chrome
if you want it to adhere good..you need to rough up the surface.
I'm going to media blast the chrome I am going to paint.
I'm going to media blast the chrome I am going to paint.
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)
2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)
2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
- desertrefugee
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
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Re: Painting over chrome
Hate chrome? Ah, man, there's nothing wrong with a little shine . . . except that between say, 10:30AM and 2:00PM it can get a little bright on the eyes while riding.
My '97 Valk: <Sigh> if you really want the paint to stick, pay attention to what 5Speed said about surface prep.
My '97 Valk: <Sigh> if you really want the paint to stick, pay attention to what 5Speed said about surface prep.
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
- x01660
- Titanium Member
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- Joined: Fri Nov 03, 2017 11:55 pm
- Location: Ventura, CA
Re: Painting over chrome
desertrefugee wrote:Hate chrome? Ah, man, there's nothing wrong with a little shine . . . except that between say, 10:30AM and 2:00PM it can get a little bright on the eyes while riding.
My '97 Valk:
IMG_5188.JPG
<Sigh> if you really want the paint to stick, pay attention to what 5Speed said about surface prep.
BEAUTIFUL bike!!!
I want a Valk SO BAD.... but the newer one. Or even an F6B. That's actually the perfect bike for me. In black. Yummy...
That said, I have stock pipes, and I've heard that they're getting rare to find. I'm assuming it would be better to get aftermarket ones and keep my stockers stock?
-x01660
"The best motorcycle is the one well ridden"
"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." ~Friedrich Nietzsche
"The best motorcycle is the one well ridden"
"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." ~Friedrich Nietzsche
- Easter
- True Blue Steel Biker
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- Location: South of Houston 100 miles
Re: Painting over chrome
I have turned several chrome fenders into painted fenders. So far no problems but I have had them professionally sand blasted first, then sprayed with an etching primer followed with several coats of a heavy sanding primer to make sure the surface was smooth. The first time I tried this I used a vibrating sander with 80 grit paper and worked on the surface till it was thoroughly scratched up. Apparently that worked also but the bike was sold after completion so I don't have a long term report.
Bikes at present:
83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process
83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process
- HOTT
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Re: Painting over chrome
you can use PLASTI DIP spray on chrome that you don't want to damage.
Will it last? ..for a while, but you can peel and redo or touch up.
It's a good way to see if you really like the color before you invade the chrome.
Me? I use 220 on a palm orbital sander. Epoxy prime and 2 or Single stage paint/clear.
HOTT
Will it last? ..for a while, but you can peel and redo or touch up.
It's a good way to see if you really like the color before you invade the chrome.
Me? I use 220 on a palm orbital sander. Epoxy prime and 2 or Single stage paint/clear.
HOTT
If we can't fix it, we can fix it so no one else can.
the Condor BOTY 2011
Ol' Sparky BOTM Dec. 2011
Lucky #13 BOTY 2018
the Condor BOTY 2011
Ol' Sparky BOTM Dec. 2011
Lucky #13 BOTY 2018
- tomk1960
- Gold Member
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- Location: Worcester, MA
Re: Painting over chrome
I powder coat over old chrome all the time. I always media blast with aluminum oxide, wash, and outgas. Blast what you've got and clean it well before shooting and you should get good adhesion. The priming suggestion is a good one.
1986 VFR750F Interceptor
1983 Honda CB1100F Super Sport - Red 1123 Resto-Mod
1978 Honda GL1000
1983 Honda CB1100F Super Sport - Red 1123 Resto-Mod
1978 Honda GL1000
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- Tin Member
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- Location: Spokane, WA
Re: Painting over chrome
I, too wanted to eliminate every once of chrome on my Goldwing. I agree with all who have recommended sand blasting your chrome parts (including both sides of the fenders). Every tiny piece of shiny has to go or it won't stick. I did this '77 about 7 yrs. ago and it's held up really well. The wheels were especially tedious, but the time spent in a sand blaster cabinet has paid off in the long run.
Goldwing-rt.-b by Larry Pearson, on Flickr
Goldwing-left-b by Larry Pearson, on Flickr
Goldwing-rt.-b by Larry Pearson, on Flickr
Goldwing-left-b by Larry Pearson, on Flickr
- NunzioGL
- Billet Alum. Member
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Re: Painting over chrome
I can attest to nvr2old's methods. I've seen this bike in person it's awesome. I followed his advice.
I did the same thing sandblast, use a self etching primer for the first few coats, wet sand then, followed buy a good high build epoxy primer. Paint using your paint system of choice. 6 Years on this and a lot of miles.
I did the same thing sandblast, use a self etching primer for the first few coats, wet sand then, followed buy a good high build epoxy primer. Paint using your paint system of choice. 6 Years on this and a lot of miles.
1976 Yellow GL1000 - Project Complete in the Underground Customizing Section - http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=44800
1979 CB750 Super Sport
1983 CX500TC (Turbo)
Too Many bikes owned in the past to List
1979 CB750 Super Sport
1983 CX500TC (Turbo)
Too Many bikes owned in the past to List
- codyjames707
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Re: Painting over chrome
Yeah, the main thing with chrome is that it is a super smooth surface and it doesn't allow the paint to grip properly, which could make the paint chip in LARGE portions. If a sandblaster is willing to strip the chrome off, that is definitely a cheaper option. Around me, sandblasters weren't willing to do it because the chrome comes off like "small razor-blades" (California standards =/).
I was able to take it to a chrome shop and chemically get it de-chromed and stripped to bare metal.
Just keep in mind for a sturdy, quality paint job the paint will need GRIP.
I was able to take it to a chrome shop and chemically get it de-chromed and stripped to bare metal.
Just keep in mind for a sturdy, quality paint job the paint will need GRIP.
- desertrefugee
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Re: Painting over chrome
And oh boy have I lusted for quite some time after that faring - on the Nunzio GLX bike. Love that dang thing.
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
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Re: Painting over chrome
I'm painting over some chrome. Sanding it down and epoxy painting it.
1979 Honda GL1000 Battle Axe (cafe)
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