How to Paint Chrome Trim

You might still love your old furniture, but looking at that '80s style chrome trim makes you think it's got to go. You don't have to replace all your furniture just because you don't like your chrome trim--just paint over it. Painting over chrome can result in a mess because it doesn't accept paint, however there is a technique you can use to make your furniture look at good as new, minus the chrome.

Things You'll Need

• Sand paper
• Primer
• Paint
• Small craft paint brush
• Painter's tape
• Razor or box cutter
• Rag
• Drop cloth

Instructions

1. Tape off your furniture around the chrome trim to protect it during the process. Get as close as you can to the chrome without overlapping it. If you are planning on sanding, priming and painting the entire piece of furniture, you don't have to tape it. Place the furniture on a drop cloth to protect your floors and open the windows for ventilation.

2. Take a piece of medium grade sand paper, with a grit of 80 to 120. Begin sanding directly on the chrome. Note that this will ruin the chrome finish, so once you've done it you cannot go back. In order for chrome to accept paint, it needs to be given a "tooth." In other words, the surface, which is very smooth on chrome, needs to become rough so that the paint has something to cling to.

3. Go over your chrome again with a finer grade of sand paper, with a grit of 150 to 180. This will help keep the tooth, but smooth it out a bit more so it doesn't look scarred under the paint. Wipe the furniture with a damp rag to remove any dust.

4. Check the painter's tape that you used to protect your furniture. Replace any areas that you've worn down from sanding with a new strip so that you will be sure to get a clean line when you paint it.

5. Prime the chrome with a good, thick primer, such as Kilz, using a small trim paint brush or craft brush of about 1/2 to 1 inch. Allow the coat to dry for 24 hours before proceeding.

6. Paint over the primed chrome with the color of your choice. You may wish to use an accent color that will compliment your furniture or decorating scheme. If you prefer, you can use the same color as your furniture so that the trim will not be such a contrast. Allow the first coat to dry for 12 hours, then apply a second coat of paint. Allow it to dry overnight.

7. Use a razor or a box cutter to carefully trace a line along the edge of the tape. If you don't do this, when you peel off the tape, it might peel off some of the paint with it. This will break the bond between the paint and primer on the trim overlapping the edge of the painter's tape. Remove the painter's tape and you are done.