chrome parts

If you have the patience to work with foil most anything is possible. I don't personally. Doing the trim on a car is enough for me. Some people have a knack for it though. Valve covers would be easy enough and some other parts.

You can use Testors Dullcote on chrome to take away some shine or make it look more like aluminum. I usually strip the chrome and use different shades of Alclad and Metalizers to get the type of finish I want. That way you can clean up any flash or mold lines on the part(s).

I airbrush just about everything. I also prime everything. Then shoot a black basecoat on anything that will have Alclad or Metalizers used on it. Do all your fitting beforehand and you shouldn't have to handle anything too much during assembly to rub the paint off. Basecoats aren't necessary for Metalizers, that's just the way I do it, but does help sometimes.

These are the paints I have experience with, others are available.

Tony

ok i stripped the chrome of with bleach but now they are shiny with yellow streaks \, how do i get rid of the gloss so i can paint them?

Easy Off oven cleaner is a good way to get rid of the lacquer under coat on the kit chrome. Get the yellow can, coat the part ( IN A WELL VENTALATED AREA) and seal them up in a plastic bag or container. Give it about an hour or so, then they should be all clean.

I keep a little tub of brake fluid to soak the parts in. I don't know exactly what that undercoat is but some of it is pretty tough to get off. Sometimes 91%(or higher) alcohol will lift it, sometimes Polly Scale Easy Lift Off will. Oven cleaner works too. I use brake fluid because it seems to always work and I can just drop the parts in and let them soak. Sometimes it does take a couple days though. Whatever you use, be sure to wash(or soak) the parts afterwards with soap and water or maybe alcohol.

I'm gonna add this general statement...

Sometimes I suggest using a lot of different chemicals. Whatever you decide to use, use it safely. Some of these things are flammable. Some give off some nasty fumes. I use dishwashing gloves to work with most of these things, nothing I ever use will dissolve or penetrate them. If you're using oven cleaner you need some ventilation. I wear prescription glasses so I always have some level of eye protection on. Super Clean, Bleche White, Oven Cleaner and others too will burn like the dickens if you splash it on your face. I'm not preaching, just be careful.

Tony