Has your chrome bumper lost its shine and is now taking away from the looks of your vehicle? Well you don’t have to settle for that because you can touch that bumper up or get it looking new again with the best chrome spray paint. Check more tips and guide from Toolassociate.com
Things made of chrome look great but it is not the toughest surface in the world. Chrome items such as bumpers inevitably get worn down after getting hit with bugs, flying gravel and other road debris. No matter how clean and shiny your car or motorcycle is it won’t stand out if your bumpers have become dull and grungy looking. Fortunately a light sanding and a good coat of chrome spray paint can easily restore the original shine on any chrome painted item. Surprisingly, weld through primer also allows the paint to adhere better to the metal and prevents corrosion and rusting of metal joints.
Here is a quick overview of some of the best chrome spray paints that are out there in the auto marketplace. We go into even more detailed reviews of these fine paint products after the handy buying guide. It is a cost-effective way of caring for your motorcycle or car as it doesn’t require spending unnecessarily or heavily to purchase and it is also something that can be done with ease.
Last update on 2024-04-25 at 23:58 PST - Details
Chrome Spray Paint Buying Guide
Don’t be distracted by things that are not important when shopping for chrome spray paint. Painting chrome metal, plastic or any other piece to give it a chrome look is nothing to mess around with. You need the right chrome spray paint to do it right,
Here are the things to focus on when shopping for chrome spray paint:
Price
Most chrome spray paints are not priced very high. With that in mind there is some correlation between price and quality. The more you pay for a can of spray paint generally the higher reviewed product it is. There are some bargains to be had when shopping for chrome spray paint to so don’t just grab the most expensive can on the shelf in the store or when shopping online either.
Color
Believe it or not there is a large color variation between different chrome paints. Most people read chrome paint on the label and automatically assume it will match the existing chrome paint on the object you are painting. The cap color is usually very close to the inside paint cover so take a second to compare it if you are not doing a complete new paint overcoat.
The two photos below illustrate how different two colors of chrome can be from each other:
Can size
You probably don’t need a large quantity of paint if you are using a spray can to do a chrome paint job. With that being said you will still need enough chrome paint to do the job you are working. Smaller size cans are great for such things as touch up and you will need a larger size can to do something like apply chrome paint to an entire bumper.
So when chrome spray paint shopping, make sure that you match the size of the spray can proportionately to the type of chrome spray painting task you are doing. You never want to plan to have just enough paint either. It’s better to have a little extra chrome spray paint sitting on the shelf in your storage room than it is to run short on a project.
Ease of application/Number coats required
In a perfect world you want to just shake your chrome spray paint can a few times and then apply to a surface until the can is empty. Unfortunately spray painting chrome on an object is never that simple. Some chrome spray paints are very tedious to work with.
There are very few chrome spray paints that don’t at least need a touch up coat after applying the first coat. So make sure you know the required number of coats the paint you are using takes. If a second coat is needed chances are you will not have time to run to the store and get one and still have your finished product turn out looking great.
Drying time
This is one of the biggest factors to consider when you are applying any chrome spray painting product. The longer a product takes to dry the better chance the finished paint job has of becoming tainted.
This is also a huge factor that depends greatly on the type of environment you are painting in too. If you are painting in a closed space like a garage you do not have to worry so much about drying time. On the other hand if you are spraying something like your car bumper outside you want to use a faster drying chrome spray paint.
Surface prep
Some cans of chrome spray paint will stick to about any surface except one covered with dirt and oils. Other brands of chrome spray paint require varying amounts of surface prep before the paint can be applied properly. Make sure you know if the paint you are buying needs to have the surface of what you are applying it on etched or sanded.
Type of surfaces the chrome spray paint can be applied
Chrome spray paints are probably applied to non-metals more than they are applied to metals. So you have to be keenly aware if the can of chrome spray paint you are thinking about purchasing can be applied to the type of surface you want to apply it to. Putting chrome spray paint on a surface it want stick on make any project more costly and a nightmare to correct as you have to re-prep the surface.
Finished smoothness
Most chrome spray paints go on fairly smooth but not all. So be aware of this fact. Make sure you read in the information about each particular spray paint you are thinking about buying how smooth a finish it leaves. This will be very important in order for you to be able to achieve the finished look you desire.
Glossiness
Just like not every can of chrome paint leave the same surface smoothness, so do they not all leave the same amount of gloss finish. At the same time you are checking your cap to make sure you have the right chrome color you desire you will also want to make sure that can of spray paint has the right gloss finish you desire also.
Here is an example of a high gloss silvery/chrome finish:
Product guarantees
Unfortunately all paint products do not work as advertised. When this happens it’s nice to have some type of satisfaction guarantee that will allow you to send in the unused amount of product for a refund. Consider this when making your chrome spray paint purchase.
How long does spray chrome last?
With correct care and as long as the protecting coating stays intact, Spray On Chrome metalized finishes are as sturdy as OEM Automotive Finishes and might last for generation.
Is chrome spray paint any good?
Our decision for the finest chrome spray paint is the Krylon Premium Metallic Unique Chrome. It dries very fast, goes on easily, and produces a shiny and shiny silver end. It would not drip or run, and it offers glorious protection.
Can you spray paint Chrome?
Sure, you can always spray paint over chrome; read further down which explains each preparation and precise painting steps to realize this. Setup is essential to success when spray painting chrome, as you'll want an appropriate, well-ventilated workspace that's correctly lined to guard different surfaces.
Applying Chrome Spray Paint
If you are not familiar with how to apply chrome spray paint than this video will help show you how it’s done. Notice it took two coats of this particular chrome spray paint to get even a small part looking nice:
Reviews of the Top Chrome Spray Paint Products
Here are the products that we consider to be the best chrome spray paint brands in the paint marketplace:
Here is a very good metallic chrome spray paint that will give you lots of options when applying it. General Paint & Manufacturing has come up with a very versatile spray painting product.
What is there to like about this product? One great answer to that is the fact that it will work on plastic, wood, metal and even wicker. You can even hold the can in any position including upside down and it will still spray evenly. That is a great feature on this innovative painting product.
It also has a very bright chrome look once applied. The look it gives you is about as close as you can come to the true mirror finish that chrome dipping gives you.
Pros
- Fast drying
- Indoor or outdoor use
- 360 degree spray able can
- Bright chrome look
- Extremely smooth and decorative finish
Cons
- Not as shiny as the can top when dry
- Tends to not be smooth when applied on plastic
There are few companies that are in the same class as Rust-Oleum when it comes to making fine spray painting products. This nice chrome spray paint is a testament to that. It goes on smooth and leaves a nice shiny chrome looking finish on many different types of surfaces.
Rust-Oleum has developed a chrome spray paint that will quickly dry to the touch in 30 minutes or less. The finished coat will have good chip resistance and tends to keep its shine longer than most other chrome spray paint products.
This is also one of the few chrome spray paints that will even work on concrete and other masonry products if they are prepped right.
Pros
- 60 min fast drying
- Excellent chip resistance
- Affordable quality
- Works even on masonry
- Keeps its shine permanently when used indoors
- Bright chrome look
Cons
- It has a slightly greyish/chrome look
Don’t scoff at this little 3 ounce can of chrome spray paint because it has many uses. It is great for touching up small bad spots on a chrome bumper or using for your kids arts and crafts projects. It dries fast and is acid free too.
This chrome spray paint has a surprisingly bright finish to it. One thing to note is that even though it can be used on many surfaces it will not leave a smooth finish on wood and plastics.
It is the perfect size can for touch up or any small amount of chrome spray painting that needs to be done around your house.
Pros
- Fast drying
- Acid free
- Great for arts and crafts
- High gloss chrome look
Cons
- Slightly to the grey side
- Small size can
- Not smooth finishing on wood or plastic
Here is another really good Krylon chrome spray paint. It leaves a super shiny gloss finish that makes whatever it sprayed on look like it is actually metallic in nature. It dries very rapidly and has a totally acid free finish. At 8 ounces it is just the right amount of paint for small projects or touch up jobs.
The finish it leaves is not only shiny but it’s very smooth too. It is an American made quality product that leaves a very smooth finish when applied evenly. This is true even if more than one coat is needed.
It is very versatile too as far as the types of surfaces it will adhere too. Among the surfaces it will adhere to are wicker, wood, metal, plastic, plaster, glass, paper and ceramic surfaces.
Pros
- Fast drying, Acid free
- High gloss chrome look
- Resembles chrome plating
- Leaves a smooth finish
- Multi surface compatible
Cons
- Works best with a clear coat finish
- Smaller size can
This is an interesting chrome spray paint product. It goes on more like paint but still has a silvery chrome look to it that is very unique. The best thing about this VHT spray paint product is that it goes on smooth and dries very fast too.
It takes very little time for this product to dry to the touch. Only 30 minutes in most cases with complete cure taking place overnight. It will nicely adhere to a variety of different surfaces such as wood, plaster, metal, plastic and other types of masonry.
For optimal results this chrome spray paint looks best when it is applied over compatible primer and then gone over with a clear coat finish. This product comes with complete instructions right on the can and your satisfaction with it is guaranteed by the manufacturer.
It is a very environmentally friendly chrome spray paint too. It is 100% lead free and has nothing in its propellant that will harm the ozone.
Pros
- Fast drying, Lead free
- Has a semi-gloss chrome look
- Leaves a smooth, thick finish
- Ozone safe product
- Can even be used on masonry products
Cons
- Works best as a paint
- Tint is very greyish
- Best when not used as a stand-alone product (needs primer and clear coat for best results)
One Chrome Spray Painting Product Stands Out Among the Rest
Which chrome spray paint do we like best? It has to be the Rust-Oleum 7718830 Bright Coat Chrome Spray Paint. It is an outstanding paint value considering all that it will do for your chrome painting needs. Check this spray in truck bedliner. Some chrome paint are very liquid product; grey appearance, low odor and very fast evaporation
For one this is the fastest drying chrome spray paint of all of those on our review list. It goes on smoothly over many different surfaces and unlike most chrome spray paints it can even be applied over concrete and other masonry products. This spray paint also has very good chip resistance once applied and will keep its shine longer than most comparable chrome spray paints.
It is definitely a product worth checking out as you search for the best chrome spray paint. This paint is actually very versatile because it can be used to revamp wooden furniture or other things in your house to have an attractive metallic finish that looks very professional. Using this chrome paint, you would be able to achieve a shiny metallic finish that fights back chipping and retains its original color. This chrome spray paint is also very easy to apply while being able to spray at different angles makes it easy to reach difficult areas.
How do you spray paint a chrome finish?
Check this viral YouTube Video On How do you spray paint a chrome finish?
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Thanks for this article. I found it very helpful. The one thing that perhaps could be added to this is the durability of the cured and finished products; for example chipping, impact resistance, scraping, heat resistance.
Thankyou Very much Charles. Our pleasure to give some information!