Refreshing chromework with paint? E.g. Mipa Alu-Chrome paint

[Strugs]

Anyone used chrome effect paint to 'freshen-up' tired chrome work? The bumpers on our '66 Daimler V8 are pretty poor and need a re-chrome but that's £££s. I'm thinking I might give this stuff a go in the short term.. it can't make the bumpers any worse, surely?

https://shop.autopaintsbrighton.co.uk/mipa-alu-chr...

Or this using a spray gun for, I'm guessing (hoping?), an even better finish?

https://www.bodyshopsuppliesdirect.com/1_Litre_Mip...

Anyone with any experience of any of the above?

[droopsnoot]

The latter product sounds as if it might be quite interesting, but the former just seems to be a silver high-temp paint.

I have tried all manner of chrome-effect aerosol paints, and so far none of them should be called anything other than "silver", they're nowhere near the finish of chrome plating. A mate bought some of the "upcycling" paint that was available in Aldi just recently, and he told me the finish was similar - good, maybe a little brighter than normal silver, but not chrome. And the moment you lacquer it, it goes flat grey.

I have seen a lot of demos of "hydro-chrome", which is a spray on surface that appears (in the videos) to give a very reflective finish that can be lacquered. You apply it over a smooth base coat (usually 2k paint) and that might be what the spray-on product your second link is alluding to. If it is, that's an interesting product because all the hydro starter kits I've seen have been £200+.

How many chrome platers have you tried? My local one is almost double the cost of the one I have used more recently, with (as you'd expect) much more of a difference on larger products like bumpers - example being a mate who wanted a TR6 bumper plating, local ~£800, place he used ~£375.

What I really need is the finish used on the plastic caps that these "chrome effect" aerosols have. That's always a really good reflective finish, on plastic, but the paint inside is always a let-down.

[Yertis]

droopsnoot said:

How many chrome platers have you tried? My local one is almost double the cost of the one I have used more recently, with (as you'd expect) much more of a difference on larger products like bumpers - example being a mate who wanted a TR6 bumper plating, local ~£800, place he used ~£375.

You need to be comparing like with like too. The place I use in Yate, near Bristol, is very expensive. But the process is exceptional, and the finished result like a mirror – no ripples or anything. Not saying yr mates £375 job isn't that good, but you do need to watch out. (And if it is that good I'd like to know where it is!!)

[rev-erend]

Will genuine chrome platers be around in the future .. the process is so toxic and the emissions are real bad.

[droopsnoot]

Yertis said:

You need to be comparing like with like too. The place I use in Yate, near Bristol, is very expensive. But the process is exceptional, and the finished result like a mirror – no ripples or anything. Not saying yr mates £375 job isn't that good, but you do need to watch out. (And if it is that good I'd like to know where it is!!)

Of course, and only time will tell. I am under the impression that the plating process at the less-expensive company is actually more comprehensive than at the dearer one, but I can't recall exactly which bit is missing. Both have been in business for decades, both have real trouble providing an accurate timescale for when work will be done.

I have a door handle plated by the expensive company 20-odd years ago, which wasn't done quickly enough for me to put on the car when I rebuilt it, and I haven't quite got around to doing it since then. I've also got door handles done much more recently by the other company. Both look as good as each other, but I need to get the first set on a car so I can compare them properly.

[skeeterm5]

How bad are they?

Mine had tiny pits and what looked like rust spots and a friend of mine told me to pour Coke (full fat) onto it and rub it with tin foil. I know that sounds like a wind up but it really worked.

S

[Yertis]

Lots of guys on the TR6 and GT6 FB groups swear by the coke and tin foil method.

The expensive place does take bloody ages it’s true.

[clutch]

I have pitted chrome on my car and will live with it (NOT a show car). I will live with the patina or "originality" as is how decline is termed today.

Any spray is going to look like Humbrol/Airfix chrome paint at best and will only highlight flaws. Any concours type analysers will see anyway. Most people will appreciate your car as it is.

Wait until you have some spare cash and do it properly. According to some, original bumpers redone are better than repro replacements (if they are even available).

If you do get a good solution please post!

[aeropilot]

rev-erend said:

Will genuine chrome platers be around in the future .. the process is so toxic and the emissions are real bad.

There are fewer and fewer of them now, partly why its getting so expensive.

Like many old fashioned trades dying out, I can't imagine there will be many around in another 10-15 years time.

[aeropilot]

Strugs said:

Anyone used chrome effect paint to 'freshen-up' tired chrome work?

Why use paint, which as mentioned already is never shiny?

Best option surely (and plenty of places around now) would be to get the bumpers wrapped in one of these chrome effect vinyl wraps.