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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Chroming hardwood guitars

 

Hello,

I am a novice guitar builder from the Massachusetts area. I am currently trying to find a way to paint the wood of a guitar body chrome. I haven't found any paint that claims to be able to (not that any paint says it can't paint wood, but no paint ever advertises the ability to).

  

  

Several guitar companies have released chrome painted guitars and to sum everything up, I want to know how I would go about chrome-painting unfinished hardwood (if it's any different than standard finishing) and what paint to use (uncolored, silver or darker silver is what I'm shooting for).

Niccolai Taremble
guitars - Whitman, Massachusetts, USA
2004

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2004

These finishes are not actually chrome plating, Niccolai, they are indeed very shiny paints. But they are not something you buy at the hardware store and spray on with a single coat, they are coating systems and involve special products and a degree of experience and skill.

You can contact a supplier of the coating process (see the banner at upper right corner of this page), or (as many manufacturers do) locate a coating service to apply the finish you want.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey