Thread: Anyone here know how to blacken chrome temporarily?

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Hi guys... The reason why I am asking is that I really like the look of blacked-out chrome on a car, and I am thinking about doing it on my 71 Lincoln Coupe. I would like to find something to darken the chrome temporarily so that I can take some digital pics of the vehicle to see if I like the look. I have done some MS Paint renderings, but its not the same as seeing it on a car up close and real. Would some kinda water-based paint work? Would it wash off with a good handwashing? I was thinking off possibly trying black tempura paint, you know the kind that kids use for arts and crafts? I considered black shoepolish, but I have put that on windshields and it can be a bear to get rid of. Any thoughts from ones wiser than me? Any advice is greatly appreciated.


Michael

I would cover it with masking tape.You could even paint the masking tape.

Realy depends on how old the chrome is,,,i would use a flat black house paint,,,not stain!!!
Dont use tempura paint if the chrome is old and crazed,,the tempura will leach in the cracks and will be hard to get out again.
Me and my son are doing his 64 Thunderbird in flat black and he wants all the chrome dulled out with a satin finish.
We are going to wet sand the chrome and spray clear coat on it.

I had a spare chrome grill for my car that was sitting around doing nothing, so I tried some tempua paint on an unobtrusive spot. It didn't do very well. Even with repeated layers, with plenty of dry time in between, you could still see the chrome underneath. all the black tempura paint did was dull the chrome and give it a bluish cast. It was splotchy as well. On the bright side, removal of the paint from the grill was easy enough. The stuff just seemed to rub off with a wet rag and some elbow grease. Next I think I will try Thunderbuckets suggestion of flat black water-based house paint.


Michael

I used flat black rustoleum on my 79 Dodge truck's front and back bumbers. Just a temporary solution until I replace them anyway so I didn't care if it looked bad, but it doesn't. It looks GREAT and this was brush on paint, not spray. One coat and it's holding up good.

I thought about that Chad, but since I'm not sure if I like the blacked-out look I want something that is easily reversible. If the water-based paint don't cut it I will probably use black electrical tape. It would be a helluva lot of work but it will be worth for the comparision pics, you know... before and after. I will update the thread when I have some more results.


Michael

What I do is take some pics, then use a paint program to alter the color, remove emblems & trim, or even lower it... Not sure if you have the capability (ie computer and camera) ...

IRIE...

That reminds me... I kinda did this as a joke for one of my friends.. but this is what i'm talking about:

BEFORE:

And after the Custom Dept. gets through with it!!!

After a quick chop, channel, section, shave, and two tone paint.... lol... only took an hour!

IRIE...

To turn the chrome black, I would wet sand with 600 sand paper. Then use a black epoxy primer with a catalyst You could leave it like that or spray some fllat black car paint over it.

Good luck!

CustomDept, I have done what you suggested and it works, but its not the same as seeing it up close and in the flesh. Mingo, if I do this the whole car is going to be flat black, or gloss black. The car has the original black paint, and really needs a new paint job. When we scuff the old paint we will just sand the chrome down at the same time, and paint the whole car the same black color, only masking off the lights, glass and plastic lenses. This isn't ever gonna be a show car so I might as well have fun with it. Here is a pic of my car as it currently looks CustomDept, you seem skilled with PhotoShop, so go ahead and black my car out if you want. I actually would appreciate it. I have had other folks PhotoShop it here on CHR before, but never completely black it out. If you are interested, here you go...

BTW CustomDept, could you remove the fenderskirts if you PhotoShop my car? I don't have them on the car anymore, but I also don't have an updated pic for ya either. Thanks much...


Michael

Sure. Give me a few days...

IRIE...

Excellent, and thanks again for the effort. I appreciate it.


Michael