painting hub caps. (help)

[n/a]

i am having truble getting the paint to stick to the chrome on my hub caps. Dose anyone know of a process or product that i should use?
thanks in advance.

Jerry P.

[Cees Klumper]

There are two types of hubcaps - old, original ones are chromed - the new ones are polished stainless steel. I painted my new stainless steel ones a year ago. We took them right out of the MB plastic bags, masked them, and spray painted them. We did not even clean them. The masking was a tough job, took me all afternoon. The paint has not come off. Here's a tip on masking from an old Yahoo! post:

Regarding the MB hubcap painting masking tool: "my restorer who has painted MANY a hubcap didn't like it--it didn't give the quality results he was looking for. I asked him about it once and I think he uses a combination of some kind of paint-on mask (common with automotive painters) stuff in addition to some good old masking paper. The results he gave me with this were spectacular."

If you have chrome, you may have to roughen the surface first. There are also etching primer paints that achieve a better bonding of the paint. Obviously, all grease needs to be removed before painting.

Good luck,
Cees
Cees

white 1969 280 SL

[Bill Rader]

Try going to a auto paint supplier.Ask for a treatment for bare metal.It etches the metal to make the paint stick.Be very careful not to get it anywhere else on the hubcap.If you do ,you will have to rub the shine back up with polishing compound.
Hope this helps.
Bill Rader

[ja17]

Hello Jerry,
Here are several ideas to improve paint adhession on chrome;  Use a "wash primer". This has a acid in it which will actually attack or etch the surface of the chrome creating  excellent grip. This is available a most automotive paint stores. It goes on very thin and transparent. It is a two part system and is toxic.  Another option; after masking, very lightly sandblast the surface prior to painting. Sanding is a possibility but much less effective. Scotchbrite works well. Another method; after painting bake the finish in an oven to improve adhesion. I hesitate to recommend this, but a friend did his in the wife's kitchen! Caution paint is flammable

The secret to getting good paint results is use as little paint and primer as needed. Very heavy coats create ugly, heavy mask and tape paint edges.

If you do not have the factory tool, mask by laying masking tape flat on the wheel cover, then cut and trim carefully with a very sharp exacto knife. Remmmember use a very light coat of primer and just enough color to do the job!

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio