How to touch up black paint on chrome trim?

Hi all,

Newbie here, hoping to get some rookie advice. I just recently entered the world of classic cars, and I'm having a ball so far.

My '67 Electra has lots of chrome, most of it highlighted with flat black paint. The chrome is nearly perfect after 45 years, but I can't say the same for the trim paint. Any advice on touching it up? Seems like a laborious, but not so difficult task to just hand brush it. But prep techniques? Paint type? Brush technique? Is it work the effort?

Thanks!

 

My '68 Riv had black painted inserts along the entire length of the lower body stainless trim. I had some semi gloss black vinyl cut to the proper width at a sign shop, and installed it on the stainless trim, for a permanent, inexpensive fix. That was over twenty years ago, and it still looks brandy new today !! :TU:

 

Interesting. It never occured to me that it might be inserts. I'll take a closer look. That's a clever idea, thanks!

 

It's a bit of work, but on my '67 Electra I brush painted the channels in the chrome trim over and behind the rear quarter panels. It'll take some time, but if you clean the channels well to begin with, some flat black there will look good. For the headlight surrounds and grille, after cleaning everything I masked the areas meant to show bright chrome and used Krylon Semi-Gloss Black in a spray can.

Devon

 

A few years back I used black electrical tape for the center stripe on a 38 Chevy's bumpers. I tried painting the stripes after having the bumpers rechromed and the next day the paint was pealing off. I didn't know you can't paint chrome without proper preparation. The tape lasted for years and then I sold the car (for $1,600). So sticky vinyl sounds like a good idea.

 

Taped off the chrome/ polishd parts and sprayed the centers.

 

The originals were most likely painted black - while the black vinyl is much more permanent. :TU:

 

Thanks guys. That gives me a few good options to consider. I'll post when I when I have the work done.

 

Another method used is to spray the the ribs with the black paint without taping off, then use a lint free cotton cloth with laquer thinner to wipe the ribs clean. If done quickly, the results are perfect. Just dont let the paint set up too long and keep turning the cloth/use new ones to assure clean swipes. Used this technique on GTO consoles and trim. I tape off the 1/2" outside borders, but not the fine 1/8" ribs. If the chrome is smooth, this turns out nice.