Re-painting interior plastic chrome trim

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I think I'm going to try that.

This is what I have to try to duplicate. The outside is chrome with the inside being silver, kind of aluminum looking. The blank piece was my trial piece for some Duplicolor chrome... Which kind of failed miserably, but the center silver is spot on.

The blank is soaking in brake fluid right now to remove the paint so I can start over.

Those pieces should work great since they have a kinda built in dam if you choose to use the flooding method. In any case you could flood the edges and once dry, mask and spray to make it easier. BTW, that airbrush works wonders on chips and scratches! You just need to make sure that the chip/scratch is not too deep. I use epoxy primer in a syringe to bring up the lever/depth of the chip or scratch before I airbrush.

 

[Big_John]

Those pieces should work great since they have a kinda built in dam if you choose to use the flooding method. In any case you could flood the edges and once dry, mask and spray to make it easier. BTW, that airbrush works wonders on chips and scratches! You just need to make sure that the chip/scratch is not too deep. I use epoxy primer in a syringe to bring up the lever/depth of the chip or scratch before I airbrush.

I have 3 airbrushes. 2 Paasche H and a Paasche Talon. One of the Paasche H was something I bought when I was a teenager and I bought the Talon during Covid because the H wouldn't spray acrylics too well. I got back into model cars during that time. The Talon is OK. It was what I could get at the time, but I think there's better. The Paasche H airbrushes are siphon feed and are great for lacquers. I may use one of those for this.

 

[GiantRobo]

The biggest challenge for me is keeping my hands steady. I dunno, maybe it's the caffeine in my coffee making me jittery. Some times I can be pretty steady. Other times my hands jump all around and it really pees me off.

Thanks for posting this! I've been watching it with interest. I've got both this paint and the marker type ready to use on some plastic trim, but it's good to see someone getting results with it!

In another life I painted fantasy and historical figurines. They were way smaller, so shakiness was always an issue...

A few tips for steadiness: use a hobby vise to hold the part. They sell ones with rubber jaws that clamp to your workbench.

Panavise used to be the best one:



Now there's cheaper Chinese knock-offs and versions. FWIW I use one like this:


Then hold your painting hand in the palm of your other hand. This stabilizes the hand and helps you guide it. Also you can steady your arms against the table edge. (I knew a painter who used a pillow on her lap too, claiming it was even steadier.)

When laying down the paint, take a breath, let out half and paint while holding your breath. Keeps your chest motion from moving the arms.

These all help with shaky hands, but nothing makes it prefect...