Paint over chromed plastic

[G-Man]

What would I have to do to prepare the chromed surface of a plastic cover to accept primer and paint?

[Michvalk]

If the chrome is already wrinkled, you probably can peal most of it off fairly easy. I used an exacto knife (razor blade) to lift the rest. Then sand and paint!

[ricoman]

before I paint almost anything, I wipe it down with lacquer thinner and don't touch it with bare hands after that.
thin thin finish coats, dried well inbetween the next

[G-Man]

Unfortunately, the chrome plating is in really good shape. 

Is there a grit of paper (wet or dry?) I should use to etch the plating surface? 

[Ricky-D]

Get an old wrinkly one on the internet and us it!

Do you know what a good unblemished cover is worth?

***

[G-Man]

It off an 1100 Spirit not the Valkyrie.  Valkyrie chrome is worth it's weight in gold.

[ricoman]

chrome will not stay on plastic. its because the two materials are different, chrome being a metal over plastic, and the two expand and contract at different rates with heat and cold.

don't understand that logic
chromed plastic has been used for years on everything from car parts to radio dials, toys-a bunch of stuff.
This may help understand how it's done
http://www.ehow.com/facts_7270709_plastic-chrome-plated_.html

[Marinakorp]

On my old and gone BMW e39 540 touring I changed the chrome emems to a flat black.

When I got in to an accident, the repair facility said "nice job on the emblem change, you fooled us, we called BMW asking for the blacked version. They said it doesn't exist...but I'm looking right at one..."

They ended up just spraying it. Worked well enough.

I sprayed it with a primer. Sanded. Paint. Sanded. Painted again.

Rattle cans worked fine.

[ricoman]

chrome will not stay on plastic. its because the two materials are different, chrome being a metal over plastic, and the two expand and contract at different rates with heat and cold.

don't understand that logic
chromed plastic has been used for years on everything from car parts to radio dials, toys-a bunch of stuff.
This may help understand how it's done
http://www.ehow.com/facts_7270709_plastic-chrome-plated_.html

yes, you are correct, they have been using it for years. and it has been peeling off for years. go look at all the chromed plastic on just valks alone and see all the peeling and bubbling. check out chrome grills on pickup trucks, the only parts that seem to last a while are interior parts, just because they aren't as exposed to the elements. basic 6th grade physics ? no, but for anyone working in the auto industry, basic logic !

guess I lead a sheltered life, (or lack "basic logic") I haven't seen the problem to be as large as you say-whatever, you know the answer

[Michvalk]

OK, not wrinkled. I would use a scotchbrite pad to sand the chrome, clean with the proper cleaner, and prime and paint with rattlecan paint, keeping in mind the the chrome may lift due to the paint. If it does, you can start over with the pealing and painting

[hubcapsc]

if you can get the chrome off the plastic

I wish I believed I could get the chrome off around the raised Honda logo...

-Mike

[hubcapsc]

is that chrome peeling at all ? if it is you can try about 150 psi air pressure, once the air gets under the chrome it will put a red spot on your forhead flying off. always be careful with high pressure air, it can hurt you.

if you are wanting to paint the emblem, scotch brite it (red scotch brite) as well as possible (like take it off the bike first) spray a plasic part primer, or if you can find it an etching primer, then paint. it won't last forever but heck, you obviously like to tinker or you would not paint chrome in the first place. don't you relaize that chrome makes things go faster ?

I got a bubbled alt cover for cheap on eBay with the intent of trying to paint it with something to see how well it might
work. I've seen nicely done painted covers. And then, there's different kinds of "liquid chrome" and "spray on chrome"...

The Honda logo is not bubbled, perhaps I'll try to mask it and remove all the other chrome.

Thanks for the air-gun idea, I've got safety glasses and a safety mask  ...

-Mike

[ricoman]

please don't make me the expert here, i just know what i have seen with my own eyes over the years.

lets ask the members, anyone here ever experienced chrome peeling off plastic parts ?

oh, I did not know that was the question.
I'm pretty sure all here have seen chrome peel off plastic, they aren't blind.
I thought the original question dealt with painting over the chrome which you have answered based on your experience. And others have answered that original question based on their experiences.
Hurrah, question answered!

[quexpress]

Do you know what a good unblemished cover is worth?

I don't!
A curious guy wants to know! 

[HayHauler]

Do you know what a good unblemished cover is worth?

I don't!
A curious guy wants to know! 

The going price here in the US.  Good ole chromed plastic cover.
21333-MZ0-A00 COVER, ALTERNATOR    $169.48

Hay 
Jimmyt

[quexpress]

Do you know what a good unblemished cover is worth?

I don't!
A curious guy wants to know! 

The going price here in the US.  Good ole chromed plastic cover.
21333-MZ0-A00 COVER, ALTERNATOR    $169.48

Hay 
Jimmyt

Amazing ... 

[ricoman]

please don't make me the expert here, i just know what i have seen with my own eyes over the years.

lets ask the members, anyone here ever experienced chrome peeling off plastic parts ?

oh, I did not know that was the question.
I'm pretty sure all here have seen chrome peel off plastic, they aren't blind.
I thought the original question dealt with painting over the chrome which you have answered based on your experience. And others have answered that original question based on their experiences.
Hurrah, question answered!

well, you were the one who stated you didn't "understand the logic". we were just explaining it so now you do understand it, ain't that what a forums for ?

twist and turn for the last word?
it was a good post when it started, before you taught us plastic can't be chromed, or it peels or whatever you come up with next
for pete's sake - there is a thread for having to have the last word, no need to do that here. I urge you to look elsewhere to find an argument, which you seem hell-bent on doing.
there's good info here on painting over chromed plastic parts- can you leave it at that? (bet not)