Author Topic: Painting chrome rims  (Read 4296 times)

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Offline Sherlock

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Painting chrome rims
« on: September 19, 2012, 03:01:31 AM »
Hi, I need some advice please.

I have 2 chrome rims off my CB550 (hubs and spikes removed)
One is original (lightly sanded rust off) the other is a new rim purchased off David Silver Spares (alternative make)
Having spoken to a spray shop they advised the rims need to be dipped in acid before powder coating to remove the chrome or it when bond.

Can I not simply get some etching primer and rattle cans and do it myself (or take it to a spray booth and have them 2 pack'd) or will it not stick/bind to the rim?



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Offline Toxic

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Re: Painting chrome rims
« Reply #1 on: September 19, 2012, 04:05:18 AM »
The chrome should be removed or at the very least sandblasted or roughed up.

I used a 36grit sanding disk on my air grinder, then sandblasted to smooth out the scratches left, then self etching primer and Duplicolor wheel paint.

I don't think you will have any long term success if you leave the chrome alone.

Offline luap

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Re: Painting chrome rims
« Reply #2 on: September 19, 2012, 01:44:24 PM »
Powdercoat them an the powdercoat company should sandblast them for you. It holds up better then paint an bleeding the front brake if not carful one small drop of brake fluid screws up all your hard work
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Offline Owned

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Re: Painting chrome rims
« Reply #3 on: September 19, 2012, 07:14:47 PM »
Powdercoat them an the powdercoat company should sandblast them for you. It holds up better then paint an bleeding the front brake if not carful one small drop of brake fluid screws up all your hard work

+1 on advice above.  Powdercoat is the way to go here.
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Offline srbakker

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Re: Painting chrome rims
« Reply #4 on: September 19, 2012, 08:18:32 PM »
Had mine powder coated.  I'm very happy with them.
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Offline Sherlock

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Painting chrome rims
« Reply #5 on: September 20, 2012, 08:11:17 AM »
Thanks guys

I found a local plating company who have done it for £30.00. They dipped them in acid to remove the nickel all in 24hrs turnaround.
There off to the powder coaters now to be coated black.

Gloss or satin wheels?

Spokes are silver. Hubs polished with gloss black inner.


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Offline mono

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Re: Painting chrome rims
« Reply #6 on: September 20, 2012, 08:35:40 AM »
wow that sounds like it'll look good.   post some photos when it's finished! :)

Offline Sherlock

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Painting chrome rims
« Reply #7 on: September 21, 2012, 12:33:23 PM »
Wheels dropped off to PC's. £60 all in, including a light bead blast.

Turnaround time 1 week :-0

Been told frame is all ready for pick up (Monday now)

Just need to assemble the wheels and do a loose assemble for the rolling chassis to check rear wheel clearance




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Offline mono

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Re: Painting chrome rims
« Reply #8 on: September 21, 2012, 12:59:23 PM »
one week isn't so bad... i think that if we learn anything from fixing up these bikes, it's a lesson in patience!