Possible Dumb Paint Question

[Pkaaso]

My paint guy is telling me I can't paint my chrome headlight bezels (rings/sugar scoops). Because the paint will not stick well enough to the metal. He WILL paint them but says the paint will be very easily chipped/rubbed off. Even if I bead blast, prep, etc...

I have heard of and seen several painted sets. I've also been told Porsche used the same material on all rings, they just added the adjustment holes when they changed the adjusting mechanism on the headlights.

Any thoughts / experience???

Thanks,
Paul

[javadog]

Porsche made two versions, painted and chromed. Paint won't stick well to chrome. Take them to a plater, have the chrome removed and then prime and paint them like any other steel. Or, just buy a pair of painted ones and repaint them. They are not that popular, so there should be scads of them available, for cheap.

JR

[Zeke]

Seems to me that if you're willing to blast them and then use something like an epoxy primer, you would get good results. I'm sure that's PITA for the painter, so he's recommending a painted set. I'll go along with the painter as far as how much work it is and go along with the fact that used, pained sugar scoops should be numerous and cheap.

[Pkaaso]

Can't the chrome just be romoved by sanding/bead blasting?
It seems to be the metal underneath the the painter is worried about.

The hard part is: I can't find a pair that came painted and do NOT have the adjustment holes.

Paul

[Zeke]

Chrome is very hard. You can rough it up for some *tooth* and I have done that many times. But, the only way to get to base metal w/o destroying the rings is to reverse the plating electrically. He is a good painter if he is showing some concern here. Either that, or he's BTDT and the paint chipped too easily.

I always recommend these products when this type of subject comes up. Hard to find in CA anymore. The 400 sealer bonder in a spray can is great stuff but they have even more brute products that I know will do the job. The thing is, can you wait to have it shipped from who knows where?

[ldortiz]

I had my rings repainted in March. Though they were not chrome to begin with when my paint guy sanded them down to bare metal and he discovered they were made of brass. They have held up well. Ill post some pictures of them.

Leo

86 Guards Red Carrera

[afterburn 549]

Everyone has the right ans, - but you can scuff them and etch and it will stick...paintable type might be cheeeper labor wise

[Zeke]

Yes, they are brass which is not a lot easier to paint than chrome.

[Pkaaso]

Well, one problem is: I already bought a pair of chrome ones. Not that it is the end of all financing but, I would like to use if I can.

Zeke - Is reverse-electrolysis the only way to remove the chrome? Bead blasting them down to what ever is below the chrome, won't work = Right?

Paul

[Pkaaso]

Well, I am my own worst enemy. I really wanted a pair with OUT the adjustment holes. So I thought.

Are there any factory painted the do NOT have the holes????

[javadog]

Originally Posted by Pkaaso

Well, one problem is: I already bought a pair of chrome ones. Not that it is the end of all financing but, I would like to use if I can.

Zeke - Is reverse-electrolysis the only way to remove the chrome? Bead blasting them down to what ever is below the chrome, won't work = Right?

Paul

Reverse-electrolysis is the better method. Chrome is very hard, much harder than the metal it is on. It's hard to blast it off without damaging the underlying metal. You could always try it and, if it doesn't work, buy another pair of rings.

If you don't want the holes, fill them in by brazing or welding.

JR

[tcar]

Originally Posted by Pkaaso

Well, I am my own worst enemy. I really wanted a pair with OUT the adjustment holes. So I thought.

Are there any factory painted the do NOT have the holes????

Yes. Couple sets on ebay right now. I have a set but am using them. Brass.

[jagular911]

I listened to a "professional" painter who told me that you could scuff the chrome with 220 sandpaper, and then paint without priming. I followed his directions-he was full of BS. All of the paint came off the chrome. I have been painting cars and parts since I was 15 (out of necessity) and still enjoy it (47)-I was smart enough to know better.

I have blasted chrome with many different grades of media-the proper media is critical. Too coarse of a media, and even powder coat looks rough. Primer would have been a disaster in this case.

I have been told that metal etching primer is the best way to go, but I do not have any experience with chrome. Based on experience-It works great with bare metal.

There is no magic-sometimes you are more fortunate than others.

Jon

[afterburn 549]

My door handles are still holding 4 years old.........sand , etch , prime/seal, paint. PPG
I know nothing, but that worked for me. Your results may differ, what can you loose ?? Go buy a little gun and do it !!!!!
Why pay pay pay pay pay ?????????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????

[jagular911]

I powder coated all of the chrome on my car satin black

Much more durable as well.

Afterburn has the right idea - right or wrong, at least he is willing to try.

I have failed many times - but I learned something new everytime.

Keep up the good work Afterburn!

[Flieger]

Originally Posted by ldortiz

I had my rings repainted in March. Though they were not chrome to begin with when my paint guy sanded them down to bare metal and he discovered they were made of brass. They have held up well. Ill post some pictures of them.

Leo

86 Guards Red Carrera

Hi,

I just saw this picture after talking to you in your oil thread. Great car.

The photo reminds me of a scene in a book I have with a 964 Turbo 3.6 in front of an old warehouse/barn in Gmund Austria where Porsche started building cars.

Very nice.

[bill romero]

Try the parts for sale section. Place a want to trade add. I'm sure someone out there will trade their paintable rings for your chrome ones.

[Doug Smith]

Pkaaso, I normally do what I want to do in spite of others advice. With that said, I sanded my chrome H4 rings with a DA sander and 120 grit. I scuffed them well and painted them the same as everything else on the car. No problem.

Doug

[Pkaaso]

Well, fellow pelican is sending me 1 ring (painted and NO adjustment holes). So I'm just need one more.

Doug, I will try your method just for the hell of it.

Paul