Mr. Color - chrom

The most demanding of the metallic shades

Chrome differs from the other metallic paints in that it is meant to look mirror-like. The metal particles in it are finer and have to settle into a perfectly level coat, otherwise the surface takes on a matte gray cast instead of a shine. That is why chrome is a paint where the preparation of the surface decides the result more than with any other.

What the result requires

The surface underneath has to be as smooth as glass. A gloss black base is therefore applied under chrome and left to cure thoroughly before spraying, and polished if needed. Any scratch, remnant of filler or speck of dust is emphasized under chrome, because a mirror surface has nowhere to hide an imperfection.

Method and limits

• Spray at low pressure and in a very thin coat, because a heavy coat kills the shine
• Do not touch the finished surface, as fingerprints stay on it permanently
• A clear coat almost always dulls chrome, so count on that with decals
• Masking tape can tear the surface off, so mask before the chrome rather than after

Chrome suits the bumpers and trim strips of cars, decorative elements and small parts. On large areas it is demanding, because every unevenness of the spray is immediately visible on a mirror surface. The bottle holds 10 ml.

Where chrome is used most

• The bumpers, trim strips and decorative frames of cars
• Mirrors and door handles
• Small accessories where the shine should be pronounced

An alternative to a lacquer chrome are chrome decals and metallic foil, which give a more pronounced shine with no risk while spraying. On large areas they tend to be more reliable, while on intricate shapes they are unusable.