Painting Chrome to Woodgrain?

? Painting chrome?

Apparently not all the loose nuts in the country end up in California.

They're probably for export to California, Ken.

Adrian, chrome does not "wet" at all, so should be completely removed. And under that is nickel plating, and copper plating, and maybe electroless nickel plating--and none of them are good for painting onto. Your plan will probably work after a fashion, if you strip the chrome then lightly blast the nickel, but if you can align yourself with a plating shop who can strip the wheels you might be better off. The best plan would be to find a manufacturer from whom you can get bare wheels, but that may not be compatible with your business plan if it is to rework consumers' wheels.

? How could anybody ever get their dignity back if they were seen in public driving a car with woodgrain wheels?

A. 1) Alsa Corp., makes a clear that they advertise as sticking to chrome. This could also be used as a base for other finishes. I haven't used this particular product, but the Alsa stuff I have used is fabulous (velvet and soft-feel).

2) Who said anything about self-respect? ;) We just paints 'em like they tells us to!

3) Alsa also makes some really cool water transfer stuff that allows you to transfer complex patterns to 3D parts, including wood grain, if you're interested in going into it in a bigger way.

4) No, I don't work for Alsa. Just a humble job shop, but thought this might be relevant.

If the wheels were painted tutti-fruitti it wouldn't reflect on the painter, just the driver :-). The customer's vision is always right as long as the check doesn't bounce!