Want to paint pitted chrome parts.

[Wicked72]

I have a set of mirrors for my 72 that are in decent shape. They have some corrosion pits on them and i want to paint anyway. What kind of prep do i need to do on them to keep the pits from spreading and the corrosion stopped.

[areibel]

I did the same thing about 10 years ago.  I'd read an article in one of the mags about a company that restores and rechromes original stuff.  They used a buff wheel to smooth the raised areas of the pits, then dig out the corroded pits with a dremel.  I just hand sanded them and used a small drill bit to clean out the pits, some were deep (and I did go through on a couple of them).  I just filled the deepest holes with JB Weld and used spot putty over that, the chome was roughed up from the sanding so I shot some rattle can primer over them.  I mounted them before we painted the car, they turned out nice and the last time I saw the car (last fall) they still looked good.

[Wicked72]

ill give it try. i have a media blaster maybe ill hit the whole thing with it to. i didnt even think about jbweld, maybe some metal to metal will do the trick as well.

[Dino]

Definitely blast if you can.  You want to remove the chrome when you can as it's the oxidation under the chrome is the problem.

[DC_1]

Chrome is not easy to blast. Its composition is wear resistant. It is best stripped chemically. Im not saying you can't blast it, just not the best way to strip the part...

[Wicked72]

what do i need to strip the chrome off chemically?

[DC_1]

what do i need to strip the chrome off chemically?

Bring it to a plater and ask them to strip it for you. They dip it in a tank of caustic chemicals. You won't be able to do that at home.

[SUPERSTAR14]

You can also grind or sand it off. Take your time, as you get through the chrome you should start to see the copper underneath. Paint does not stick to chrome well. Some try to rough it up before painting but in my experience it will start to peel after a few short years. Good luck.
-Pat

[Dino]

Yeah stripping would be best, no doubt about that.  However if you have the blaster handy, it's no loss to try it.  Last time I blasted a chromed piece, the chrome came off nicely where it was starting to flake and the rest got real dull with the copper shining through.  From that point on it was easy to sand.

DC is right though, the chrome shop can strip it and make it look like new.

[tan top]

Definitely blast if you can.  You want to remove the chrome when you can as it's the oxidation under the chrome is the problem.

yep

[Ghoste]

Realizing they are more money, but have you considred just going with the painted Rallye style mirrors instead?

[Wicked72]

i would but im stuck on a budget so trying to get a hold of a set of mirrors would be to much. how do i take the mirrors apart? i think i might just blastem but ill find a place and see how much it is to stripem. will paint stick to the copper?

[Wicked72]

cant seem to find anyone to stripem. but i have a guy that will blast my whole car using the water/glass blasting and can do it in my driveway for $800. i realized i need to do my bumpers too. im going to just pick up some media and blast the mirrors myself and have him blast the bumpers. since i have to penny pinch ill just end up using the da on the rest of the car but id love to have it blasted trust me.

[Dino]

cant seem to find anyone to stripem. but i have a guy that will blast my whole car using the water/glass blasting and can do it in my driveway for $800. i realized i need to do my bumpers too. im going to just pick up some media and blast the mirrors myself and have him blast the bumpers. since i have to penny pinch ill just end up using the da on the rest of the car but id love to have it blasted trust me.

$800 for the whole car?  That's a screaming deal!  Send 'em my way when they're done would you?

[Wicked72]

basically its the whole outside of the car i cant remember what else he will do for that price. i know his uncle and im a few blocks from him so i got a good deal of course. his ball park prices are $850 outside of car, $300 inside of car, $250 door jams and he has prices for just inside panels and hood parts etc plus he does boats and a bunch of other stuff. 301-399-2873 not sure how far he will travel but give him a call awsome ppl. located in denton md