posted
Hello Letterheads! I am happy to say that my hand lettering skills are starting to seem more and more valuable, Now that 'everyone' just prints things out on the computer. Heck, now even the old vinyl guys, Can brag about how hard that was to cut, weed and apply! Anyway, I am re painting a classic car emblem Which had been re chromed. It is blank chrome. I was just going to paint in the background of the chrome letters in black, like the original was. Probably just regular one shot lettering black. Although I did consider making it matt instead of gloss. Any suggestions? Should I prime the chrome with anything else, etc, Prepare it in any way Or just go ahead and paint a couple of coats of the regular gloss one shot black straight on to the new chrome? Thanks Shon
posted
Seriously? Even if you close the lid tight? It used to just form a skin. Usually, I just pour out what I am using, Then close the can again. Please elaborate. What about painting it one chrome?
-------------------- Light and Shadow Manzanita,Oregon shonlenzo@hotmail.com Posts: 286 | From: Manzanita,Oregon | Registered: Feb 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
I cancelled my one shot order. I hope you are right about this.... Actually, I was kind of hoping One Shot was still good. Dammit....it used the be you could always count on it. Wtf? Things just aren't the same anymore. What sign paint would you use now?
-------------------- Light and Shadow Manzanita,Oregon shonlenzo@hotmail.com Posts: 286 | From: Manzanita,Oregon | Registered: Feb 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
Shon, I do almost everything with waterbased paints, so it's not an issue, but I still have a stash of old 1-shot that hopefully lasts me the rest of my working life.
-------------------- Rodger MacMunn T.R. MacMunn & Sons C.P.207, Sharbot Lake, ON 613-279-1230 trmac@frontenac.net Posts: 472 | From: Sharbot Lake, Ontario | Registered: Nov 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Shon, as far as I know now, OneShot and Chromatic are made by the same company.....not good.
I've basically found chrome to be not very paint-friendly. It doesn't want to stick very well. I've had a few decent results with cleaning the chrome very well; scuffing the chrome LIGHTLY, but thoroughly, with a fine steel wool. It will basically not show; but will give the chrome a bit of "tooth" to help the paint stick better. A good coat of polish, after the paint's good and dry, should hide any tiny steel wool scratches and make it shine nicely.
-------------------- Dale Feicke Grafix 714 East St. Mendenhall, MS 39114
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Posts: 2963 | From: Mendenhall, MS | Registered: Apr 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'd look into an etch primer that is advertised as being able to stick to chrome - if you have a fair area that needs to be covered. Back in the 80s I did a Royal Enfield motor bike tank - a vintage one which had been chromed. I found an etch primer that stuck fairly well, and I lacquered a grey panel on, and striped & lettered over that.
If it is only small lettering then just paint it on.
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
I can't remember what I used, but it was a lacquer based one back then. These days there are good epoxy type and urethane type etch primers, so I'd ask a decent paint shop what they have that will stick to chrome plating. You will probabkly have to rough or scuff it a little with fine sandpaper. I wouldn't 'contaminate' the chrome with steel wool though.
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Ian, I have no idea what you're referring to by "contaminating chrome" with steel wool. I've done it a million times, over the years, and never had any problem. Use extra fine, LIGHTLY, and it will put microscopic scratches in the chrome, that will allow the paint to bite, but not leave any visible scratches, LIKE SANDPAPER.
There may also be a problem finding an etching primer that's perfectly clear and won't affect the gloss of the chrome.
-------------------- Dale Feicke Grafix 714 East St. Mendenhall, MS 39114
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Posts: 2963 | From: Mendenhall, MS | Registered: Apr 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Dale, I only used the word 'contaminating' because when we weld stainless steel, we were always told to NOT use the steel wire brush on the buffing wheel, or an ordinary angle grinding disc that's been used with steel, to grind and tidy the stainless welds up, because tiny particles of ferric steel will contaminate the weld and later oxidise and haunt your work with their blemishes.
I applied the same reasoning, rightly or perhaps wrongly to chrome plating & steel wool, so I used a fine emery paper (1200 grit) to rough the chrome up a bit, before etch priming it then putting the colour on the motorbike tank. (we're talking about an area say 14" x 5", tapering.)
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
I am painting black in behind letters that will remain chrome. Steel wool could work... I would be carefull to clean it well, and keep the 'grain' in one direction...and very very fine/ light. I ordered Ronan Lettering enamel. I suppose the background could also possible be etched with an etching crime....then cleaned a lot.
-------------------- Light and Shadow Manzanita,Oregon shonlenzo@hotmail.com Posts: 286 | From: Manzanita,Oregon | Registered: Feb 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
I can see how Emery paper would also he a good idea... Most likely I will put very fine abrasions on the background Then paint it in with two coats of Ronan Black Lettering Enamel
-------------------- Light and Shadow Manzanita,Oregon shonlenzo@hotmail.com Posts: 286 | From: Manzanita,Oregon | Registered: Feb 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
It's a classic? Just do normal prep and paint away, it will never see a high pressure car wash. I've done a ton of emblems, hubcaps and what not, these cars are babied better than most children.
-------------------- George Perkins Millington,TN. goatwell@bigriver.net
"I started out with nothing and still have most of it left"
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic