sassylady

Hi I have a 89 Camaro. Does anyone know where I could find some chrome a/c vents? Thanks in advance for the help!

JeremyNYR

iTrader: (2)

never heard of them existing. Have you seen them before or are you just hoping they are made?

sassylady

I haven't seen them either. I would like to get rid of the black ones. They don't match my interior anymore. Do you think they could be dyed another color?

58mark

iTrader: (3)

interesting... makes me curious what the rest of your interior looks like

there is a spray paint that sprays a pretty convincing chrome color. no sure how durable it is

sassylady

Ummm spray paint? Really interesting... I have a blue dash kit being installed... I'll post pic once it's complete... I was also thinking that I might be able to find some universal vents that would work... Do you think it would be hard to take the vents out? I just got my car a month ago so I'm new to all of this

58mark

iTrader: (3)

vents are easy to take out. you use a table knife on the side of them, work them out

if you spray, use light coats, and move the louvers a little bit between coats

88TransAmGuy

iTrader: (3)

Well theres spray paint or on some websites theres Dash kits which are just stick on chrome pieces that can be very convincing

sassylady

Ok thanks to you both for the help. Do you have any experience with the chrome spray paint. I'm doing my research and I see there's wide-ranging in the pricing. What brand do you thiNk would give me a good finished product without braking me (I saw one that was $150 for 8oz... I know u get what you pay for but $150?.... Tragic!!) lol

zenish

google rechroming plastic parts.theres companies that chrome plastic.

Impaqt

iTrader: (1)

I've used this in the past with very good results
http://www.eastwood.com/almost-chrom...sol-paint.html

if you have an airbrush, they also have this.... http://www.eastwood.com/ew-liquid-ch...clear-kit.html which I've never applied, but did see some parts painted with it that looked extreamly convincing.

zee28

I have never seen anything plastic spray painted and it look good.I know paints claim it does but usually does not hold up and looks bad.I have seen those plastic plating services and that may be a better idea.

ZZ3 Z28

Billet Specialties has chrome air vents but nothing that fits 3rd gens.

http://www.billetspecialties.com/pro...cid=8&scid=113

JeremyNYR

iTrader: (2)

As much as I don't like the idea of spraying anything to make it chrome, I have to say that you can paint plastic parts and have them look good. The reason you never saw it look good... is because if it was done well, you wouldn't know it was painted! I painted a tan and a gray interior plastic piece black and they held up very well. It's all about good cleaning and prep, many thin coats, and making sure you use a paint meant for plastic parts.

sassylady

Well I took the vents out of the car yesterday. 2 of them were broken so I decided to practice on those 2. I went to wally world and brought some cheap "chrome" spray paint. It definitely did not give me the chrome look that I was hoping for, but it did give me a greyish silver look. Ima go back to wally world today and get some clear coat spray to add a finished look. Thanks everyone for the advice. I'll post pics tomorrow to c what u guys think. Worst case I will have to get some paint remover and start over!

84 1LE

iTrader: (9)

Most (if not all) chrome spray paints are "chrome silver".Thats usually what it says on the can.So at best you get a faded chromish look.

There was an ol timer on a car show once that used clear coat & some other color & got real close to a chrome look.I forget what show it was though.

ZZ3 Z28

If you are going to paint a plastic part 'chrome' then you need model paint such as Alclad II or Testors Metalizer paint. Go to any reputable model hobby shop and tell them you want to chrome some plastic pieces and they will show what to do. Beware that some of this chrome paint is lacquer meaning its a hot paint and could melt (in so many words) your plastic piece if not used properly.

sassylady

Hi Guys! I am done putting the "chrome" spray paint on the vents. I still have to add the clear coat, but before I did I thought I would post some pics to see what you all think. The vents are far from chrome, but all in all I guess they turned out okay.

Oh yeah, one of my pics a has a picture of the artwork I created for my car. I am debating on whether or not I am going to install it. I used the 2nd gen camaro writing because I am a female and I thought that it would give my car a feminine touch. I plan on changing out all of the emblems in the car to match, but I am wondering would that take away from the cars value? Thanks in advance for the feedback!!

zee28

yea if it's painted another color it will scratch off sooner or later.on something thats not touched,rubbed or disturbed much it may last.

zee28

just saw the pictures and they do look good.I don't see how all the paint was scuffed though,did you take the vents apart or does the paint not require it any scuffing or sanding?Looking forward to seeing with the clear.

sassylady

I didn't have to take them apart, sand, or scuff them. I painted the front side first with many light layers. I let them dry, and then I turned them over and painted the back. I left the vents about 1/4 open the whole time and the paint covered the entire vent. Now that they are dry I have opened and closed the vents many times and they are still moving as they should and they are FULLY covered I guess I will go ahead and add the clear coat tomorrow! Thanks for your opinion. Also, what's your take on the artwork?

NowhereFast

You did no prep and expect it to last? You touch air vents often, that paint is gonna start to come off soon, and when it does, it'll look like crap.

ZZ3 Z28

I'm trying to picture chrome or even silver air vents on a 3rd gen dash and I am really having hard time thinking why you would do that. Untill I see one in place, I'll hold off deciding if it was a good idea or not. In the mean time, I hope what you're doing works out and looks good. Maybe it is something to help improve the look of an all black dash, I don't know.

sassylady

I just cleaned them up really good. What type of prep work should I have done? Oh well, I guess that's $5 wasted lol.

sassylady

I should be finished with everything late next week I will post pics as soon as the projects finished.

88TransAmGuy

iTrader: (3)

When re-painting something,you should always use sand paper to scuff off all of the existing paint and then rub it down with an alcohol pad to remove all the dust and dirt that the sanding left behind. Then use a coat or 2 of primer and let it dry. Then paint it with as many coats as you like,then clear

bcnvz28

Check out this video and comments below video, on Jay Leno's Garage Website.

http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/segmen...ray-on-chrome/