[91GT347]

I have a chrome frame I want to paint white. I know you have to use the etching primer to make it stick like it should. My question is does that mess up the chrome ? If I ever did want to make it chrome again would it have to be rechromed after that primer was used,or could you just strip and polish it and be good ?

[micen2]

91GT347, on Sep 24 2008, 09:59 AM, said:

I have a chrome frame I want to paint white. I know you have to use the etching primer to make it stick like it should. My question is does that mess up the chrome ? If I ever did want to make it chrome again would it have to be rechromed after that primer was used,or could you just strip and polish it and be good ?

I did a chrome frame and I abrased the whole frame first..cleaned with denatured alcohol, then primed. I would say if you are going for it...go for it....don't paint the frame with the intention of unpainting it. Do it all the way. I would say you could potentially powder coat without abrasing the chrome...but imho it would crack off if struck/bumped.
I know I tried to do a dielectric acid bath as recommennded on here to remove the chrome...even used less acid then called for...and toasted a frame because it was chromoly tubing. turnt it to swiss cheese. so watch out for that method on chromoly alloy.

[91GT347]

micen2, on Sep 24 2008, 01:41 PM, said:

91GT347, on Sep 24 2008, 09:59 AM, said:

I have a chrome frame I want to paint white. I know you have to use the etching primer to make it stick like it should. My question is does that mess up the chrome ? If I ever did want to make it chrome again would it have to be rechromed after that primer was used,or could you just strip and polish it and be good ?

I did a chrome frame and I abrased the whole frame first..cleaned with denatured alcohol, then primed. I would say if you are going for it...go for it....don't paint the frame with the intention of unpainting it. Do it all the way. I would say you could potentially powder coat without abrasing the chrome...but imho it would crack off if struck/bumped.
I know I tried to do a dielectric acid bath as recommennded on here to remove the chrome...even used less acid then called for...and toasted a frame because it was chromoly tubing. turnt it to swiss cheese. so watch out for that method on chromoly alloy.

If anything it would just be the forks and the stays I would want chrome again.

[micen2]

91GT347, on Sep 24 2008, 03:10 PM, said:

micen2, on Sep 24 2008, 01:41 PM, said:

91GT347, on Sep 24 2008, 09:59 AM, said:

I have a chrome frame I want to paint white. I know you have to use the etching primer to make it stick like it should. My question is does that mess up the chrome ? If I ever did want to make it chrome again would it have to be rechromed after that primer was used,or could you just strip and polish it and be good ?

I did a chrome frame and I abrased the whole frame first..cleaned with denatured alcohol, then primed. I would say if you are going for it...go for it....don't paint the frame with the intention of unpainting it. Do it all the way. I would say you could potentially powder coat without abrasing the chrome...but imho it would crack off if struck/bumped.
I know I tried to do a dielectric acid bath as recommennded on here to remove the chrome...even used less acid then called for...and toasted a frame because it was chromoly tubing. turnt it to swiss cheese. so watch out for that method on chromoly alloy.

If anything it would just be the forks and the stays I would want chrome again.

why not just leave it chrome?

what kind of frameset is it...got a pic?

[lboorse2]

Maybe the freestyle guys can chime in here, but I think traditionally, manufacturers who offered frames with chrome rear triangles and painted fronts started with chrome plated frames and powdered over them.

I've heard stories of a few folks getting black or white Pro Racers and finding out there was very good chrome underneath (it wasn't good enough for Mr. Hutchins so off to powder it went).

[swbuf]

If you're going to paint or powder it, you're going to have to commit to that- (one way street)
I mean making sure the etching primer (or whatever you use) has something to adhere to, you're going to have to rough up the surface with sandpaper, media, stripping chrome, 3M, whatever, otherwise it is only a matter of time before it comes back-this means scratching your chrome beyond the point of being able to 'polish out'. (unless you REchrome it).
Are you trying to fill in dings, etc? Is that why your refinishing it-or is the chrome just shot?
Hope this helps.

[micen2]

rear chrome triangle with powdered front. factory. I can't say that this is full chromed or not underneath. Powder would be the only thing that would hold over chrome, because it is mad thick. the area where the chrome meets the powder on this bike...imho should have had a pinstripe decal...because it's thick as hell. like 1/16" easily...if not alittle more...3/32".

[91GT347]

Thats what Im looking to do. Chrome stays and forks. Like IBoorse2 said. Ive heard a bunch of people finding good chrome underneath. Thats why I asked. So those frames were probably all powdered and not painted ? Something very similar to this is the project.
http://bmxmuseum.com...es/redline/7004

[micen2]

91GT347, on Sep 25 2008, 10:20 AM, said:

Thats what Im looking to do. Chrome stays and forks. Like IBoorse2 said. Ive heard a bunch of people finding good chrome underneath. Thats why I asked. So those frames were probably all powdered and not painted ? Something very similar to this is the project.
http://bmxmuseum.com...es/redline/7004

well a real cooked on powdercoat would be the only chance for that application to possibly have some chance of longevity...but looking at the bb closely on mine...i dont think this frame was chrome all the way across...maybe just into the lap a bit. but the powder is vunerable to chipping easily where it is over the chrome.

[Brian P]

most 86 haros ive seen with a 2 tone paint are full chrome underneath.... some were only nickel plate in the front.
all 87/88 1/2 chrome haro fst frames ive seen are pure chromed underneath

all redline fst frames ive seen 86/87 that have the 1/2 chrome paint are fully chromed underneath

[91GT347]

Cool. Thanks for the input guys.

[mr coasterbrake]

Brian P, on Sep 25 2008, 11:04 AM, said:

most 86 haros ive seen with a 2 tone paint are full chrome underneath.... some were only nickel plate in the front.
all 87/88 1/2 chrome haro fst frames ive seen are pure chromed underneath

all redline fst frames ive seen 86/87 that have the 1/2 chrome paint are fully chromed underneath

all those frames were actually fully chromed underneath. the ones that looked "nickel" were chrome, but the tubing surface in front was not polished prior to plating (whether to provide a better paint adhesion or maybe just to be cheap i can't say ).

[Robby]

Prepping properly you can successfully paint over a once chromed frame. Especially on cheaply non "triple plated" chrome frames.

GT's and Robinsons were known for their bad chroming. I bead blasted my '82 Robinson before my buddy painted it. The chrome was so thin at spots I glass bead it right down to the bare metal !

Self-etching primer or primer with a catalist is best. Anything repainted even to bare metal will chip easier than a factory paint job where the paint is heat baked on...like at a top end heated booth.

Rob E.

[P32ranger]

Brian P, on Sep 25 2008, 09:59 AM, said:

most 86 haros ive seen with a 2 tone paint are full chrome underneath.... some were only nickel plate in the front.
all 87/88 1/2 chrome haro fst frames ive seen are pure chromed underneath

all redline fst frames ive seen 86/87 that have the 1/2 chrome paint are fully chromed underneath

Two part question here:

a. Any tips on an easy way to remove spray paint from a chromed part of a bike?

b. If the later Sports were full chrome under paint, is there a way to remove all the paint and have a decent looking chrome frame?

[Robby]

1) Paint stripper .... Auto Zone "Aircraft stripper"

once the paint peels up remove w/ plastic or rubber scraper IE : bondo applicator

2) Again that all depends on the quality of the chrome job underneath....

try a little area first...maybe inside the rear drop outs

Since when did Redline make FST's ?

....only asking

[P32ranger]

Thanks for the speedy reply. The paint stripper won't harm the chrome?

[choad666]

Paint stripper won't harm the chrome.

[P32ranger]

Thanks guys. I have a Haro Sport frame that was less than loved. I had one back in the day and would like to fix it up. I am not going to be able to do a full restore, I just want it to look decent again. I'll post some pics soon, because it is in such sorry shape. The chrome area was sprayed green so it looks like a very bad ano job, and the frame was partially painted with a brush!

[choad666]

I did both of these with the spray on paint stripper and then had them powdered. They turned out fine.[attachment=7
749:DSCN0431.JPG]

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[WILBA WILD]

If your chrome is still good and you want paint over the top use house of kolor adherto then prime and color