Pick up a degreaser at your local cleaning supply or home goods store. If you want to create your own degreaser, mix 3 tablespoons (43 g) of baking soda with 1 cup (240 mL) of warm water.

Don’t use a scouring pad on plastics that you’re planning on spray painting. Simply rinse the item under water and wipe them dry.

These spray paints are often marketed as “metallic” spray paint. This is the best option if you have an inexpensive object, like a cheap necklace or vase, that you want to turn chrome for decorative purposes. Spray painting something chrome isn’t technically chrome plating. However, spray painting is the easiest method to get a chrome finish, and it’s safer than the other methods.

You can throw on a respirator or dust mask if you want, but it’s not required if you’re working outside. Put on a pair of rubber gloves if you want to keep your hands clean. Wear long sleeves and pants to keep paint particles from getting on to your skin.

You cannot spray paint while holding the can upside-down.

Spray painting can feel kind of odd if you’ve never done it before. If this is your first time using spray paint, try practicing on an item you don’t care about first, like a cardboard box or empty milk carton.

Normally, spray paint can dry in 15-30 minutes. VMP spray paint tends to take a little longer to dry. Waiting a few hours is a good way to play it safe and ensure that the paint is completely absorbed by the metal or plastic.

The chrome paint should hold up for 6-8 months before it starts to erode.

Spray kits will not only give your items a beautiful shine, but they’ll protect metals from rust and erosion! Unless you have a ton of objects that you’re trying to chrome plate, it’s usually cheaper to simply take your item to a shop that offers chrome plating services. You can use a chrome plating spray kit on durable plastic or metal including steel, brass, copper, and aluminum.

A dust mask won’t offer enough protection for most spray chrome kits.

Do not do this on a windy day when the chemicals are going to be blown all over the place.

The activator coats the object in a solution that will bind your chrome spray to the material of the item. Some kits will refer to the activator as a primer. Every spray kit is different. If your instructions tell you to do something before applying an activator, or don’t mention an activator at all, go ahead and skip this step.

If you need to make deionized water yourself, run tap or spring water through a DI system. DI systems can be purchased from a chemical engineering company, water purification company, or online retailer. Deionized water is essentially water that has had all of the minerals, contaminants, and additives removed.

If you can adjust the nozzle setting on your spray bottle, use a medium nozzle setting to avoid ricochets. If you use a wider nozzle setting, the thinner application may result in an uneven coat. You should see your item changing color almost immediately as the activator, water, and chrome spray bind to the object’s surface. Depending on your specific kit, you may have to apply multiple coats of different-density chrome solutions to complete the process.

The sealant will protect your chrome from fading for at least 1 year.

Every chrome spray kit is different. Follow the specific instructions of your spray kit to get the best possible finish for your item. Chrome plating that has been applied with a spray kit lasts anywhere from 1-5 years.