How to Prepare a Chrome Bumper for Painting

Chrome bumpers looks great and are quite durable, but over time can become scratched, pitted and rusted, requiring them to be rechromed, which is quite expensive. Or maybe you just don't like the look of chrome and want a more modern finish on your car's bumpers. For whatever reason, it is possible to paint chrome, but it takes a little more work than painting normal metal. This is because paint does not adhere well to metal that has been chromed unless the proper steps are taken.

Things You'll Need

• Sandpaper (180-grit to 1,500 grit)
• Dual action sander (optional)
• Mineral spirits
• Primer
• Primer sealer
• Paint

Instructions

1. Remove the bumper or bumpers from the vehicle they are on. Removing the bumpers may be as simple as unbolting a couple of brackets or may be more involved, depending on the car.

2. Clean the bumper thoroughly with paint thinner or mineral spirits on the front and back of it.

3. Sand the bumper with 180-grit sandpaper with a dual action sander. You can also sand the bumper by hand, but it will take longer. Sand the chrome until it is flat and there is no shine left to it.

4. Clean the wheel thoroughly with mineral spirits to remove any oil and dust from the bumper.

5. Spray the bumper with a high-quality urethane primer. Spray on a light dusting, let dry for a minute or so and then spray two to four solid heavy coats of primer. Sand between coats with 200-grit sandpaper and then 400-grit sandpaper.

6. Let the primer dry and then clean with mineral spirits. Spray the bumper with a coat of primer sealer. Let the sealer dry and then sand with 200- and then 400-grit sandpaper.

7. Spray on the final color coat. Apply two to four coats, sanding in between with 400-grit, then 1,000-grit and then 1,500-grit.

References

• Chrome painting info