Chrome removal?

65stang311 said:
Has anyone removed the chrome from metal in order for it to be painted? If so what did you use, and did u simply scuff it, or something to completely take it off? (I want to paint my bumpers and valve covers)


You dont need to remove it. You can scuff it up with some 200 grit sand paper, wash it with acetone, prime it with spray can primer, sand it again with 400 grit (wet), then paint it :)



Or....


Send them to me to be powdercoated ;) (jk) - shipping would kill ya
 
You do need to strip the bumpers in order for the paint to last. You can scuff 'till your blue in the face and you won't get anything (let alone anything that comes in a spray can) to stick to chrome. I've heard of people sandblasting the chrome off, but I simply took mine to a chrome shop to have them stripped. It only cost me about $20 per bumper, then they only needed to be prepped like any other metal surface.
 
If chrome is prepped right, you will have no problems with paint sticking.

If you really want to remove it...you could rent a DA sander...that'll take it off :) Not sure if aircraft stripper will take it off.
 
D.Hearne said:
Some of that "chrome" around the windows isn't chrome, it's stainless steel. For bumpers, just get them sand blasted. For window trim just paint it.


well the front bumper is gone and the chrome around the windshield I was thinking about having powder coated black or something but only if I could do the same to all of it around the side glass...does the shiny metal ;) around the door glass come off?
 
If it goes on , then it ought to come off. The big question here is, what kind of shape will it be in after it's been removed then re-installed ? You may not want to remove it, just to paint it. Might be better off just masking the windows and the other paint.
 
allcarfan said:
If chrome is prepped right, you will have no problems with paint sticking.

If you really want to remove it...you could rent a DA sander...that'll take it off :) Not sure if aircraft stripper will take it off.
I agree, and the proper way to prep it is to remove it. Please send me some pics of any bumper you have painted without removing the chrome after you have driven the car for a few weeks. I hate to seem like a jackass (probably too late) but have you ever really painted a chrome bumper? If you have, what kind of primer did you use and how has it held up to everyday driving?