painting a chrome grill how to help please?

im sure this is a stupid question but im going to paint in the groves on my grill black like in came from the factory but im not sure how to paint on chrome? Should I do a coat of primer than spray? or use a paint brush with flat black? please help.

 

I would use a course scuff pad first so the paint will adhere

 

I painted the bumpers on my o/t 74 car. I used a 36 grit paper first, then worked my way to 400 grit. If you are just painting the grooves, you will probably want to mask off what you don't want sanded with a few layers of tape just in case you make a mis swipe with the sandpaper. I used a primer sealer, followed by a high build primer, with more sanding to smooth out any flaws, then top coated with color. I sprayed mine, but you might get by brushing it. Try it and see, if you don't like the results, just sand it off and start over.

 

I used a Duplicolor self etching primer after ruffing up chrome with scotch brite pads. Worked fine

 

36 grit?!?! That's beyond overboard. Tape off what you don't want painted then scuff it up with 600 grit and a grey scuff pad until it is all dull. Now you're ready for color, no primer needed.

 

Couldn't you just lay some one shot on it and call it good?

 

x2!

 

Are the areas that you need painted pretty straight? Could you get some wide pinstripe tape or have a vinyl shop cut strips of black tape to put into the recesses on the grill?

Doc

 

MASK the GOOD CHROME FIRST!

 

Wet sand 320-light dusting of zinc chromate primer, rattle can. i mean light coat. Spray your paint before zinc drys which is almost immediate. The zinc sticks to the sanded chrome and the paint will remelt the zinc abit to adhere. Works for me. Remember, no sandy, no sticky.

 

I really believe this is the answer. The factory didn't do anything but clean the part before spraying accents onto chrome. All these other responses are either overkill or creating a problem where one doesn't exist.

 

I agree with the last post.Just tape off and lightly scuff with a scotchbright pad ,wipe clean and paint,,,,Dont prime first,,,Youll get an edge...Factory didnt prime.......On a side note why even bother,,,Your grille looks great the way it is.............

 

Scuff it up, or it will come off .....
Cheers.....

 

Forget the paint...go to a sign shop, purchase some black (gloss or flat) outdoor permanent glue vinyl from them...cut it in strips and adhere...it'll never come off...and it's a lot easier than painting.

I did my hubcaps with purple vinyl...it's been on them for almost two years now in all kinds of weather...


R-

 

i might try that i have black one shot?

 

I think your right, Ive ran it this way for years want to switch it up, put the black back in and make one a gold tooth.

 

What carcrazyjohn said x2.......no co**** sanding...don't make things harder than they have to be!

 

My feelings.
I've simply painted the "Fluid Drive" script on my Dodge bumper with Rust-oleum red.

 

you do realize you asked about painting your bumper? and then showed us a part of your grille?

 

lol, your the only one that caught that. Didnt have enough coffee that morning.

 

I used pinstripe tape and lightly scuffed with a scotch bright pad, used some flat black 3 coats and it came out pretty good, no primer. <O</O

 

Looks good. Just remember everyone, those grilles, bumpers, emblems were painted over chrome from the factory. Lasted for many years so it would last again just cleaning and painting with One Shot or similar enamel.