Painting Chrome

[stroke of luck]

Ok paint people...how do I properly prepare chrome bumpers to paint them? I've been told it's possible so I need some help. Same with the chrome plastic grill. Thanks!

[Twisted Addiction]

im guess sand it with a fine sand paper then wet sand it

[Thuglike]

I hit it with 60 grit first. Come back with 400 grit to smooth it all out.

Use a self etching primer and your ready for paint. The better you sand, the better the job. Take your time with the sanding..do it right.

[stroke of luck]

I would assume do all sanding by hand (i.e. no belt sanders lol?)

[joedaddy]

Just did my wheels and all I did was use a heavy wire wheel on an angle grider, then hit them with some O'riellys self etching primer (1can) and wheel black paint (1can) they turned out Nice!

[Thuglike]

Originally Posted by stroke of luck

I would assume do all sanding by hand (i.e. no belt sanders lol?)

U can use a sander, just don't dig into any one spot.

[Twisted Addiction]

the main thing u need to do is make a place for the paint to stick to. thats why u sand it to form little groves but if u go with to low of a grit u will see it threw your paint. i wouldnt go lower then 220

[Donnief]

220 isnt gonna get you anywhere , because chrome is hardened and i mean its hard ..... 220 will only get you fine scratches in the chrome. Use 80 grit with a DA .... trust me after you make a few passes you will realise you cant hurt the chrome. Then after you scuff , get some self etching primer .... then your ready for color ..... paint like normal

[stroke of luck]

ok sounds good. now what is DA?

[08psdbeast]

D.A. stands for Dual Action.
The disc rotates and oscillates at the same time to prevent creating sanding patterns in the material that you are sanding.
If the primer you use has some filling capabilities then you don't have to worry anyway.
Don't use a belt sander. They are way too aggressive for something like this. They are made to remove a lot of material quickly.