rb23lb

bought some chrome tail light trims I want to Brabus Bullitify...

I need to know which type of sandpaper is the best kind to buy that wont gouge the plastic but still strong enough to take off all the chrome so I can then paint them black...

So far the 2 Grits I bought (300 & 400) have been ineffective and just scuffed the surface...

basically need to sand the chrome and paint black like this:



thanks in advance for your sanding tips!

rb

acr2001

300 / 400 are way too fine of a grit. I would start with some 150 grit or so being careful not to sand any further than you need to. You also need to be careful to apply the same amount of pressure / time over the entire surface. It's more about doing it carefully than about using too low of a grit. Once you finish with the 100 grit you can step back up to that 300 / 400 to smooth out the marks left by the 150 grit. You don't want the surface to be too smooth when you paint it as the paint wont have a good surface to adhere to. At the same time of couse you don't want the surface so rough that it shows through the paint.

rich09

Can u post finished up pics??? And were did u buy them??? Thanks

MBRedux

Don't sand at all.... but if you must, start 150 wet/dry with water.. then use 250 wet again, then 600 wet again. Then buy specially formulated plastic primer & spray 2-3 thin coats, let dry, sand with 600, then color coat with 2-3 thin coats.

acr2001

Painting over chrome (even the fake plastic chrome) is a bad idea - it won't stick very well to that surface - too smooth.

MBRedux

I know... I've been painting professionally since 1976. Read my post again. Thanks! Plastic primer sticks very well to plastic/chrome if treated.

acr2001

I disagree. Plastic primer is for plastic, not plastic coated in chrome. Maybe it works alright with the right primer, but it isn't going to work as well as a proper sanding prep. I read your post again, you mentioned the primer as part of the sanding process, not part of the painting-over-chrome process. Maybe you should read it again?

xXHotelCrazyXx

A red scotch brite pad is what i have always used for sanding chrome whether it be the inside of headlights, or trim. I always preferred it because it last wayyyyyyy longer and doesnt leave much dust after wards.

MBRedux

See those magic words up there? Good.

acr2001

You said: "Plastic primer sticks really well to plastic / chrome IF TREATED" - what on Earth does that mean? If treated with what?

Plastic primer is not designed to be used on chrome, even if it is chrome over plastic. It is best to sand it. You just aren't making sense.

xXHotelCrazyXx

Oh your a painter...I work on aircraft for a living. I know a little about everything even painting...

MBRedux

Sorry I'm done.... and I'm from NYC...

acr2001

This is a fine way to do it. You really only need to rough up the surface of the chrome enough for paint to mechanically bond to it.

acr2001

You're done? I'm from NYC too - what does that mean? Have you gone off your meds? I was merely disagreeing about painting / priming over a chromed finish. You've gone crazy I'm afraid.

Edit: I've read your posts for the 3rd time.
I was merely responding to the part where you said "don't sand at all... but if you must..." The part you posted about the process IF YOU SAND sounded perfectly fine to me. I was simply expressing my disagreement about the "don't sand at all" part. I agree that primer should be used, after sanding. What a mess! Can we burn this thread to the ground and start over?

MBRedux

Can-it kid...

acr2001

And you continue to act like a fool. It's not even amusing anymore.
I guess I have to be the mature one and ignore you from this point. Goodbye.

rb23lb - I'm sorry that we've pillaged your thread. At least your question was answered.

rb23lb

question answered! hahah

thanks