removing painted chrome- grille

[bmx045]

So I searched and couldn't find a straight answer, I want to paint my grille flat black, but don't want to spray over the chrome because of the adherence issue. What's the best way to remove that factory chrome from the plastic? I would rather not use a sander to the degree of needing bondo afterwards

[Madjik_Man]

You could just sand it using a fine grit, clean it with a tack cloth, then use an adhesion promoter before painting.

[theflystyle]

how would a vinyl wrap look? get the color without the painting issue. and you can peel off if needed.

[spec.B Dream]

I just lightly sanded mine with fine grit, cleaned it, and sprayed it with Krylon made for plastic. It has held up for 2 months. It is really easy to do, so I won't be upset if a re-spray becomes part of the annual spring maintenance. Flat black looks so much better than the chrome.

[Drift Motion]

sanded mine with 100 grit sand paper

 

primer

 

paint

 

clearcoat(optional)

 

done

[Kylar]

It will chip/peel off eventually if you dont remove the chrome. The best method i found was to peel it off with a razor knife. Its a pain in the ass. Sanding wont remove the chrome, its too thick and if you sand it hard and long enough it will melt the plastic underneath the chrome plating.

 

Best compromise would be to spray it with black plastidip in a spray can. It wont peel or chip and is completely reversible if you want to go back to chrome.

[Catalyst]

Its a pain in the ass.

 

Quoting for emphasis!! Took me hours and sliced up my fingers really good from the shards of sharp chrome.

[Noeladams]

Flat Black vinyl?

 

I painted mine, just scratched it up a little bit and no peeling issues.

[underpowerd]

Quoting for emphasis!! Took me hours and sliced up my fingers really good from the shards of sharp chrome.

 

x2 - this is one of those hour-and-finger-eating diys no one else in your life will appreciate

[Mbohn007]

sand, primer, paint. also if it begins to flake or chip, its an easy fix. just repaint!

[tobey457]

It will chip/peel off eventually if you dont remove the chrome. The best method i found was to peel it off with a razor knife. Its a pain in the ass. Sanding wont remove the chrome, its too thick and if you sand it hard and long enough it will melt the plastic underneath the chrome plating.

 

 

This is what I did, but I used a jack knife to start the process. Once you get the chrome off, you start sanding with 100 grit (an electric sander is your friend here) and work up to 600 grit.

 

Takes time though, but after 4 months my grill does not have a single chip in it.

[jCubed]

Anyone have pics of the finished products? I hate my grill on my 2010.

[gil_ong]

for those of you who have not had the paint chip or peel off.

 

how long have you had it, and what kind of driving do you do?

[Noeladams]

about a year ago now, no flakes or anything.