tinting/painting chrome

Monkeyman · 10-04-2011, 12:48 PM

I have a black scoot. I love chrome but I want to do something a bit different. I've solo'ed it out so I was thinking (fake) leather bag/rear fender chaps with studs (or not) and black chrome rails (all 3). I still want them to look like chrome (same shine, etc) but just subdued a bit. I don't think paint adhere's to chrome well and scuffing them up to paint them would take away from the "chrome shine". Something similar to this >> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...72&mfe=sidebar << but more shiny than subdued.

What are my options? Keep in mind I'm che, er...frugal so taking something to a shop to get real black chrome is probably out of the question. I'd rather spend my money elsewhere.

Thoughts? Pics of some "home made" black chrome? Anything?

Hacksaw · 10-04-2011, 01:08 PM

powder coat possibly

**crazygene49** · 10-04-2011, 01:31 PM

Maybe this: http://duplicolor.com/products/shadow/

cactusjack · 10-04-2011, 01:35 PM

Strictly my opinion, but painted chrome usually looks just like somebody tried to paint over chrome. It's your bike, do what you want, but you could decrease its resale value.

Monkeyman · 10-04-2011, 02:03 PM

Not painted as much as tinted. Sort of a combination of the black and the chrome. I wonder how much powder coating is? Or perhaps I'll just do the generic black and chrome thing and be happy.

rickyboy · 10-04-2011, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monkeyman

Not painted as much as tinted. Sort of a combination of the black and the chrome. I wonder how much powder coating is? Or perhaps I'll just do the generic black and chrome thing and be happy.

I've had similar thoughts on doing something to the chrome on my '06. I'm going to take a piece of chrome off the bike and see what it looks like with a copper/brass on it, this winter.

**Top Cat** · 10-04-2011, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Strictly my opinion, but painted chrome usually looks just like somebody tried to paint over chrome. It's your bike, do what you want, but you could decrease its resale value.

If you look at the handle on my saddlebag it looks just like any other painted surface. You just have to have it sand blasted first.

I tried to put a pic on here but it is one of the things I haven't figured out yet on this new forum.
I'm getting there.

**ringadingh** · 10-04-2011, 06:44 PM

Id get it plated myself, all of the paint like chrome finishes look pretty poor from what Id seen.

yoda · 10-04-2011, 06:59 PM

Just a thought, but if you could find someone who is a graphic arts or sign maker, they could try to wrap them in tinted vinyl. That way you could get the look, and change it back if you wanted. Any installer who does 3M invisible bras or vinyl wraps on vehicles should be able to help, or would know someone who can. The future of painted panels in the automotive industry may well be wraps rather than paint.

Nubbs · 10-04-2011, 07:28 PM

Monkeyman, here is a link to a shop in Indy that does powder coating. Pretty reasonable prices. http://www.indypowdercoating.com/

**Jared** · 10-04-2011, 08:00 PM

Yep. I've leave it as is or do it right. Painting it's not gonna look good in my opinion.

AlabamaNomadRider · 10-04-2011, 08:06 PM

I was thinking along the lines of Yoda. What about a tinted shrink wrap type material. If it didn't look good it could always be peeled off. Just a thought.

yoda · 10-04-2011, 09:17 PM

http://www.avsstore.com/3M-1080-Scot...1080-BR230.htm
That is for brushed titanium, others are available.
Check here for some pics of film installed on various items, including something as small as an emblem.
http://www.autovinylsolutions.com/Gallery.php
Just a couple examples, but I am thinking I could wrap the bike instead of painting it. Then it could go back to stock if needed for resale.

nightflight1 · 10-04-2011, 10:14 PM

My 05 Nomad has considerable rust on the left side but the right side has maintained a good chrome finish. Must be a reason for this but I sure don't have the solution. However, I am considering using the 3m product to cover the chrome on the Nomad. Might look good with the black carbon fiber look.

Monkeyman · 10-05-2011, 10:49 AM

I'm REALLY not into carbon fiber. I thought about a vinyl wrap but the parts I want to do would make that difficult at best (bag/fender racks, etc). I'm just looking for something different on a budget. I don't need a show bike (I'd be afraid to ride it). I just want to stand out a bit.

Thanks for the tips. I think I'll call the place in Indy, Nubbs. Maybe they'll have some interesting ideas, too.

10-04-2011, 12:48 PM	#1
Monkeyman Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Wilkesboro, NC Posts: 6,289	tinting/painting chrome I have a black scoot. I love chrome but I want to do something a bit different. I've solo'ed it out so I was thinking (fake) leather bag/rear fender chaps with studs (or not) and black chrome rails (all 3). I still want them to look like chrome (same shine, etc) but just subdued a bit. I don't think paint adhere's to chrome well and scuffing them up to paint them would take away from the "chrome shine". Something similar to this >> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...72&mfe=sidebar << but more shiny than subdued. What are my options? Keep in mind I'm che, er...frugal so taking something to a shop to get real black chrome is probably out of the question. I'd rather spend my money elsewhere. Thoughts? Pics of some "home made" black chrome? Anything? __________________ Christopher "Monkeyman" Gray ---------------------------- Widows Sons "Overseers" Patriot Guard Rider USArmy 1987-1990 2021 Can Am Spyder RT 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited - SOLD 2014 Nomad - SOLD 2012 Victory Vision - SOLD 2007 Black Nomad - SOLD VMC #9367 VBA #1860 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-04-2011, 01:08 PM	#2
Hacksaw Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Northern Kentucky Posts: 457	powder coat possibly __________________ Harley Ultra Classic VBA# 01712 VROC# 37712
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10-04-2011, 01:31 PM	#3
crazygene49 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Dover, DE Posts: 1,856	Maybe this: http://duplicolor.com/products/shadow/ __________________ Gene Chestnut Dover, DE USAF 1968-1995 VBA#01761 2007 Nomad 1600 Black and Titanium
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10-04-2011, 01:35 PM	#4
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Strictly my opinion, but painted chrome usually looks just like somebody tried to paint over chrome. It's your bike, do what you want, but you could decrease its resale value. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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10-04-2011, 02:03 PM	#5
Monkeyman Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Wilkesboro, NC Posts: 6,289	Not painted as much as tinted. Sort of a combination of the black and the chrome. I wonder how much powder coating is? Or perhaps I'll just do the generic black and chrome thing and be happy. __________________ Christopher "Monkeyman" Gray ---------------------------- Widows Sons "Overseers" Patriot Guard Rider USArmy 1987-1990 2021 Can Am Spyder RT 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited - SOLD 2014 Nomad - SOLD 2012 Victory Vision - SOLD 2007 Black Nomad - SOLD VMC #9367 VBA #1860 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-04-2011, 06:44 PM	#8
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Id get it plated myself, all of the paint like chrome finishes look pretty poor from what Id seen.
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10-04-2011, 06:59 PM	#9
yoda Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lititz, PA Posts: 432	Just a thought, but if you could find someone who is a graphic arts or sign maker, they could try to wrap them in tinted vinyl. That way you could get the look, and change it back if you wanted. Any installer who does 3M invisible bras or vinyl wraps on vehicles should be able to help, or would know someone who can. The future of painted panels in the automotive industry may well be wraps rather than paint. __________________ I used to be indecisive, but now I am not so sure... Yoda VBA #01311 SCRC Chapter 289 07 Nomad
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10-04-2011, 07:28 PM	#10
Nubbs Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Rensselaer, Indiana Posts: 259	Monkeyman, here is a link to a shop in Indy that does powder coating. Pretty reasonable prices. http://www.indypowdercoating.com/ __________________ Nubbs Rensselaer, Indiana
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10-04-2011, 08:00 PM	#11
Jared Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 6,772	Yep. I've leave it as is or do it right. Painting it's not gonna look good in my opinion. __________________ Jared VBA #1051 (Former President)
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10-04-2011, 08:06 PM	#12
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	I was thinking along the lines of Yoda. What about a tinted shrink wrap type material. If it didn't look good it could always be peeled off. Just a thought.
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10-04-2011, 09:17 PM	#13
yoda Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lititz, PA Posts: 432	http://www.avsstore.com/3M-1080-Scot...1080-BR230.htm That is for brushed titanium, others are available. Check here for some pics of film installed on various items, including something as small as an emblem. http://www.autovinylsolutions.com/Gallery.php Just a couple examples, but I am thinking I could wrap the bike instead of painting it. Then it could go back to stock if needed for resale. __________________ I used to be indecisive, but now I am not so sure... Yoda VBA #01311 SCRC Chapter 289 07 Nomad
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10-04-2011, 10:14 PM	#14
nightflight1 Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Rio Grande Valley of TX Posts: 97	My 05 Nomad has considerable rust on the left side but the right side has maintained a good chrome finish. Must be a reason for this but I sure don't have the solution. However, I am considering using the 3m product to cover the chrome on the Nomad. Might look good with the black carbon fiber look.
	0

10-05-2011, 10:49 AM	#15
Monkeyman Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Wilkesboro, NC Posts: 6,289	I'm REALLY not into carbon fiber. I thought about a vinyl wrap but the parts I want to do would make that difficult at best (bag/fender racks, etc). I'm just looking for something different on a budget. I don't need a show bike (I'd be afraid to ride it). I just want to stand out a bit. Thanks for the tips. I think I'll call the place in Indy, Nubbs. Maybe they'll have some interesting ideas, too. __________________ Christopher "Monkeyman" Gray ---------------------------- Widows Sons "Overseers" Patriot Guard Rider USArmy 1987-1990 2021 Can Am Spyder RT 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited - SOLD 2014 Nomad - SOLD 2012 Victory Vision - SOLD 2007 Black Nomad - SOLD VMC #9367 VBA #1860
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