One of the most frequently asked questions by our customers and by thousands of artists around the world who use chrome paints is “How to protect chrome finish?” To understand how to do this, it is essential to know what chrome paint is and how it works in different contexts. It is true that, for most chrome plating on the market, it is difficult to varnish on top because the mirror effect disappears, but at Green Stuff World we have the solution to make this process much easier and obtain a perfect result.

Can you paint over chrome?

Indeed, you can paint on top of the chrome effect, although it is not the same to paint on top of the chrome paint as it is to protect it after giving it the mirror effect. If you are only looking to draw a detail on this type of effect, it is possible to do so, but you have to take into account some warnings so as not to spoil the finish. The most important thing is to use the right type of paint so that it adheres to this slippery surface and, above all, so that it does not revive the chrome pigments and break the effect.

To paint on the chrome effect, it is essential that the colors are not water-based because, when the chrome pigments come into contact with this liquid, they will move and spoil the mirror finish. If you need a specific design, you can use decals to make it easier and get an optimal result. After finishing these details, you can protect them, along with the chrome effect, with the appropriate coverage.

What is chrome paint?

Chrome paint is a type of paint that seeks to imitate the appearance of chrome, a shiny metal with a mirror-effect finish. It is made up of a series of elements that, when applied correctly, leave a chrome effect layer on the surface. It is commonly used in the automotive sector, especially on rims and other details of vehicle chassis, although for years it has found a niche in other sectors such as crafts, modeling, DIY or interior decoration.

However, depending on the surface to which it is applied and the quality of the chrome paint, the mirror effect finish will be more noticeable or it will be lost and end up being a simple shiny or matt metallic.

The base of these paints can be alcohol or water and it is possible to apply them in several ways. The most common are spray and airbrush, which will give a professional finish, although chrome paint also exists in other formats such as felt-tip or brush paint. To know how to protect chrome finish without damaging it, you need to know the formulation of the product you are using, as well as how to use it properly.

How do I use chrome paint?

To achieve the mirror effect of chrome paint, it is not enough to apply it to any surface. First, it will have to be prepared with a primer and, depending on this, the effect will appear or will have another finish that, although it may look good, is not what is expected. For correct application, follow these steps:

1. Prepare the surface.

Remember that this step, together with the black primer, is very important both for a clean finish and for a glossy finish with the desired effect.

• Clean the surface. Make sure you remove all dirt, dust, grease or any other contaminants. To do this, you can use appropriate cleaners and a cloth that does not leave lint or other residues.

• Smooth the surface. The primer will have a much better effect the less rough the surface is, so we recommend using fine-grain sandpaper to smooth it.

2. Apply a coat of gloss black primer

To obtain the reflective properties the primer coat must have a high gloss. In addition, on black paint the result is much more visible. You can apply other types of black primers, but the finish will change:

• Matt black base + chrome paint = burnished metal

• Satin black base + chrome paint = very attractive metallic silver but without the mirror effect we are looking for.

• Black Gloss Spray Paint + chrome paint = mirror effect

It is not only important to choose the right color of primer, it is also essential to apply it properly:

• Select a quality gloss black paint to achieve the best reflectivity.

• Apply uniform coats: Spray or paint thin, even coats, allowing each one to dry completely before applying the next.

• Let the base coat cure: To ensure that the base paint is completely dry, leave it to cure for at least 24 hours before covering it with chrome. In fact, it is best to leave it to cure for up to 7 days to guarantee maximum hardness and shine.

3. Use the chrome paint

For a perfect finish, it is best to use chrome spray or chrome airbrush paint.

• Prepare the paint. In the case of a spray, shake it for at least 2 minutes to ensure the even distribution of the metallic particles. If you are using a bottle, you should also shake it. You can use a paint mixer to ensure a good result.

• Spray in light coats. Apply the spray in quick, smooth strokes, keeping the can 15 cm away from the surface. It is better to apply several thin coats than one thick coat, as this prevents the paint from running and the final finish will be even.

• Allow to dry between coats. Wait between 15 and 30 seconds between coats for the solvent to evaporate and for the color to settle properly.

• Apply 1 to 3 coats. This will be enough to achieve the chrome effect.

Applying chrome paint with a brush is very different to applying it with a spray or airbrush, as the composition is different and the pigments behave differently. Specifically, the mirror effect is created after the layer of paint dries, when the chrome pigments settle on the surface. For this to happen, only one coat should be applied, as a second one would break the pigment pattern, in turn breaking the effect. Therefore, the layer must be thick enough, and well spread, to cover the surface without needing a second one but, at the same time, without being too thick to allow the pigment to settle properly.

Once applied, leave it to dry in a place where it will not be exposed to dust. Depending on the season and the ambient temperature of the place, it will take more or less time to dry completely. In general, you will have to wait between half an hour and a full hour.

4. Final drying

Once the last layer has been spray or airbrushed on, it is advisable to leave the painted object to rest for about 48 hours without touching it. In this way, a uniform and long-lasting finish is guaranteed.

5. Protection: How to protect chrome finish

Once achieved, it is important to know how to protect chrome finish correctly to make it permanent and not spoil it. It is important to differentiate between chrome paint applied with miniature paint bushes or airbrushes, and that applied by spray, as the latter can only be protected by preserving the shine, and in rare cases.

The formulation, as well as the way in which the chrome paint is applied with a brush or an airbrush, complicates the protection of the chrome finish. In the case of the brush, the varnish will revive the chrome, moving its particles and ending the effect. In the case of the airbrush, it will also lose the effect although a brighter metal may remain than in the previous situation.

On the other hand, there are very few chrome sprays that allow varnishing for similar reasons, but this is not the case with the Green Stuff World spray, to which you can add gloss varnish or leave it unvarnished due to its resistance. If you decide to varnish, apply it as follows:

1. A single coat of varnish, thin and even, taking into account that it may slightly reduce the mirror effect.

2. Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding drying time, which is usually between 12 and 24 hours.

Chrome spray from Green Stuff World

Normally, for most chrome spray paint on the market, it is not advisable to protect the chrome finish with a varnish, as they are not resistant enough to withstand it. However, at Green Stuff World we have the solution to this problem and we explain how to protect chrome finish. The secret is not so much in the varnish as in the spray. The formulation of our chrome sprays makes the paint more resistant, so it will not revive the chrome or leave a whitish layer.

Furthermore, this extra resistance makes the paint more durable, so it will remain in better condition even if it is not varnished. This means that your hands will not get stained just by touching the surface, as happens with paint applied with a brush or, to a lesser extent, with an airbrush.