Do I really need to strip my chrome parts ?

[Bigsasquatch]

In my limited experience with the shiny stuff in question, even flat paints such as primer don't stick that well, and can easily be scratched off.

Do any of the paints acrylics / enamels / lacquer stick better than others ?

I suppose it is also a question of handling - if it is a part that will bever be touched by hand, I suppose it doesnt really matter ? But on a wheel rim that may be pulled on and off the car , something more hardwearing may be required - does that make sense ?

Another example is the Toyota GT-one kit from Tamiya which has already Chromed exhausts - I suppose if I want to "blue" them I wil have to strip and alclad first , or wil clear blue / smoke sit straight on top of the Chrome ?

Oh ....and as one final question, any advice on UK household cleaning products that will do the trick would be welcomed ( I checked the forums, but mostly the products are US ones )

cheers

BIG"S"

[Vric]

if you sand it a bit and put a small coat of primer over it, you don't need

[MPWR]

If you're going to paint chromed parts, strip the chrome first. It's easy and quick- just cover the parts in household chlorine bleach for about 20 minutes. The only time I wouldn't strip chrome before painting a chromed part would be when painting a wheel on which part of the wheel is supposed to remain chromed- like on the Tamiya GT2. Otherwise, strip it off!

As far as exhausts, I will yet again say I think chromed exhausts look unrealiatic and toylike. But if you're into that kind of thing- if I were to want chromed pipes on a Tamiya kit that came with chromed exhausts, I would definately strip the chrome off first, then repaint it. The chrome is going to be ruined when you scrape off the mold lines, may as well do it right by stripping the part, and then painting it a better shade. Clear blue and smoke on chrome will still look toylike.



No chrome here! Stripped it all off, and painted with Tamiya acrylics.