Have you Used Chrome Paint?

Hi Folks: I'm working on a 59 Impala 2 Dr HT, Made into a Roadster. Full Lead Sled. I'm looking to paint alot of the Aluminum trim with the Chrome Paint thats out there. If you have any input as to proceedure and product please let me know.

J. Poole

"The Old Tinbasher"

 

Alsa Corp sells some that is alcohol based. If you apply it correctly you get about 95% reflectivity of chrome.

 

i dont think its a FULL lead sled with BILLET wheels.........

 

And you will need to follow the directions. Ive used it, its a pain to get the results it was meant for. I would use real chrome myself.

 

Tried it...looked like crap and didn't hold up. Had my rear bumper re-plated...again.

 

Why paint Al. trim? Why not polish it?

 

after u spend a fortune on material. u probably wont be happy with the results. its looks good b4 u clear it. but once u clear it, it kills the reflectivity. some clears more then others.

 

My buddies dad is a very high end painter/restorationist, he hated it and did not recommend it at all.Id just polish the alum

 

polish it and wax it, makes for easy cleaning later on.

 

If you clear it, it looses the shine. If you don't clear it, it doesn't last long.

 

I've seen it on TV (Billy Gibbon's car on "Rides") and it looks very much like real chrome, not at all like the spray can stuff you find at Autozone. I thought of putting fiberglass bumpers on my o/t car to save weight and trying that chrome paint to make them look like metal.

 

Most of the folks all ready spoke the truth,and I agree with them.

 

Clean and polish the Aluminum. The chrome paint is crap.

 

I've used this stuff on model cars called Alclad. It is some sort of magic top coat that you paint over a gloss black base coat, of all things. It looks very good. Perhaps it can be used in more industrial applications? Also, what about that custom T-bird on the indoor show circuit right now? Doesn't it have some sort of chrome / bare metal look paint? Gary

 

Glad to see that most, like me see chrome paint as shit

 

I'm pretty sure we're talking about two different paints. This is the stuff I meant, it's not cheap, and not something you'd apply from a spray can.
http://www.kustomrides.com/chromepaint.htm

 

Alclad is good on small interior parts.It works great.As for exterior trim I always polish.As for the bumpers,rechrome.

 

any real longevity experiences with the 3 part, acid +water based chrome "paint"?

re-plating my whole grill would cost a ton

 

I wasted almost $100 on the ALSA crap in the spray cans... Looked worse than plain old aluminum-color silver paint.

 

Don't bother with "chrome" powdercoat either.

 

I know of local guy who used it and it looks pretty good. Definately not chrome, but I think he's happy with the price difference. It's a VERY nice car and has got some press. No features YET, but you'll see it in show coverage pics. I'd post it but I'm not sure he wants everyone to know...

 

if you paint it black first then the chrome paint it works better

 

Nope, same stuff I was talking about. I "assumed" you didnt mean Autozone rattle can.

 

Clear anodize the polished aluminum. Chrome the bumpers.


Rattle can the wheels

 

Whether the trim in question is aluminum or stainless, don't use the Chrome Paint crap. If it is aluminum it can be polished up beautifully, and then you might see about having it bright anodized to prevent kosing it's shine. If it's stainless, it can be polished up to look and stay super. Good luck, but stay away from the spray!

 

the ones who hate it. just dont know how to use it. its a process that u have to learn.i figured it out. and im happy with what i can get.

 

Post up some pics.

 

Anyone got pic's

 

Here's the shit i tried using...Could NEVER get the results like they do

http://www.alsacorp.com/products/killercans/kc/killerchrome.htm

 

TinBasher, I've used the Mirra Chrome by Alsa on more than one occasion, and IMO this product would be best suited to graphics and not a total chrome look. If you were to take a car and want to mimmick stainless molding on the side using their product and some airbrushing, I think you would be happier with the results than if you wanted to paint a chrome part and hope that it looks like chrome. The mirra chrome is basically microscopic particles of aluminum suspended in a alcohol based solution (rubbing type, not drinking type) and the particles tend to align themselves for better reflectivity if you follow more of a dusting application vs. a typical painting application. To further highlight the application effects, I tended to have better reflectivity in areas you would consider overspray (around corners where it was not directly sprayed, etc.) than from direct application in the "Dusting fashion". But no matter the reflectivity I achieved, when the clear was applied, the finish was dulled out to a point that I should have saved some money and just used a silver metallic.


Before clear:




After clear:




Complete album (start at the end):
Motorcycle painted using Mirra chrome


I was very unhappy with the results, and expressed this to the owner before he even came over to look at the finished product. He agreed, and in an attempt to save the flame layout that he did like, the complete job was covered in clear with pearl, then burgundy kandy, then recleared:




Now in their defense, I was using a cheap Badger airbrush, and may have experienced better results if I had used the Iwata I presently have, but the clear definitely seems to dull out the finish from the solvents affecting the Mirrachrome. Feedback from Craig Frazer (Air Syndicate) has indicated the initial coat of clear should be applied in a similar "dusting" fashion, to minimize the effects of the solvent on reflectivity. But in the end, if you are looking for a chrome finish, have it chrome plated. I would say your aluminum parts would have better reflectivity with buffing than trying to spray with this stuff. The "chrome" painted products by Alsa, House of Kolor, or whomever is selling a similar chrome effect, are pricey enough that only a few applications of trial and error, and unsatisfied results will quickly make the chrome plating or buffing costs on aluminum much more appealing and cost effective.

Disclaimer form HOK: "Kosmic Krome kustom metals are one of the latest effects for kustom painting. Not intended to be a total finish, but rather an additional tool for graphics or airbrush projects that need something unique."

I think that speaks volumes over anyone's overzealous claims of a painted chrome finish.