Paint on tail light housings

[cwmcobra]

I've just had my tail light housings rechromed and need to add the black paint that goes on the base of the groove around the lenses.  I'm sure to get paint to adhere to chrome I need to rough the chrome.  But it looks almost impossible to rough the bottom of the groove without damaging the chrome around it.  Any tips on how to do this?  I assume some of you have done this before.

Thanks!

Chuck

[elagache]

Dear Chuck and mid-60s Buick DFY achievers of the impossible.

I've just had my tail light housings rechromed and need to add the black paint that goes on base the groove around the lenses.  I'm sure to get paint to adhere to chrome I need to rough the chrome.  But it looks almost impossible to rough the bottom of the groove without damaging the chrome around it.  Any tips on how to do this?  I assume some of you have done this before.

I most definitely haven't done this, but am facing another problem getting something to glue to a freshly chromed surface.  Apparently one possible strategy is to use Muriatic (Hydrochloric) acid.  I took freshman college chemistry classes enough to be plenty scared of this sort of stuff, but if you can get the acid to pool in the location of interest in might work.

I'll be the first to admit, not my first choice!

Whenever possible, Chicken Edouard . . . .

[WkillGS]

I don't think you need to overdo the prep, just make sure it's clean and maybe use a light coat of an etching primer.

I've painted chrome interior parts.... wax and grease remover, scrub with fine steel wool, degrease again, then prime and paint.

For headlight surrounds and grilles I may sandblast first for better adhesion since those parts may take a beating from road debris and bugs.

I'll guess the factory didn't do any prep work.... just black paint over the bare chrome.

[BuickGS65]

black paint that goes on the base of the groove around the lenses.

Rustoleum "BBQ Black" is the correct paint

[elagache]

Dear Chuck, Walt, Dan, and mid-60s Buick paint experts,

Rustoleum "BBQ Black" is the correct paint

. . . . Really!?! ..  Who would have thought that Buick would have been using Rustoleum "BBQ Black" on their cars all the way back in 1965!! . . . . 

Cheers, Edouard 

[schlepcar]

I don't think you need to overdo the prep, just make sure it's clean and maybe use a light coat of an etching primer.

I've painted chrome interior parts.... wax and grease remover, scrub with fine steel wool, degrease again, then prime and paint.

For headlight surrounds and grilles I may sandblast first for better adhesion since those parts may take a beating from road debris and bugs.

I'll guess the factory didn't do any prep work.... just black paint over the bare chrome.


I think we should use "epoxy" or "etch" in a very sparing manner before painting the black. The housings that I am using and the ones I sold Kevin are contaminated in the groove with small pits. I plan on using an epoxy primer after thorough cleaning with acetone with just one light coat. If you do not have pits(you are very fortunate) and you would want to coat the epoxy primer with the black within 24 hrs or it is recommended that the topcoat be sanded before paint. The good news for Chuck and the rest of us is that you still are not done. There is supposed to be silver around the inner edge by the lens and hopefully someone can post a good pic of how the finished product is supposed to look. I have been putting this job off awhile because I paid to have two sets chromed and I was not happy with either set.

[vinnie]

Talked to my painter friend. He said to tape off the area, use rubbing alcohol to clean the area, use an adhesion promoter, he uses a product called "Bulldog". I would think that  Eastwood paint prep would work. Then what ever paint you want to use. Being a body man he would use a single stage urethane. hope that helps.

[cwmcobra]

Thanks a bunch Glenn.  Now the challenge will be to find Rustoleum BBQ Black in single stage urethane!  :-)

Chuck

[elagache]

Dear Glenn, Chuck, and mid-60s Buick fans of challenges, . . . .

Thanks a bunch Glenn.  Now the challenge will be to find Rustoleum BBQ Black in single stage urethane!  :-)

. . . . And once you've found your Rustoleum BBQ Black in single stage urethane, you can step up to the ultimate challenge!  Finding a barbecue that could actually be painted in single stage urethane . . . . 

These days , . . . . . anything is possible! . . . .

Edouard . . . . .

[vinnie]

Chuck, I don't think i would worry about the single stage paint. After prepping the area I would use the BBQ black that was suggested.

[option B9]

Hi Everyone, when I paint over chrome I tape the area off then clean the area with a degreaser then scuff the area with some fine steel wool, clean the area again then prime with Rustoleum rusty metal primer( the red stuff ) its like glue, it sticks to everything !!! let dry 24hrs then topcoat it with BBQ black or flat black..  For other applications you can even wet sand the rusty metal primer as long as you let it cure for 5 days in a warm area... I use this method if I have a part that has been rusty and after being blasted it shows small rust pits or sanding scratches, two or three  coats of rusty metal primer then let it cure for 5 days, then wet sand 400 or 800 grit and paint with any color you need.. it works for me.    Tony