I want to repaint my frame, but it's chrome plated. If i just paint it over the crome it'll just chip and scratch easy. What's the best way to remove chrome?

razor blade, patience.

Is the chrome in good shape. A good paint job will stick. Lot's of older bikes used to be paint on chrome.

Put a coat of candy over it.

the chrome is still in perfect shape

sand paper to scuff it up.

look up electroplaters in your area and ask how much they'll strip it for.

Furthermore, if you sand it, you'll put fine scratches throughout the tubing and it'll look like ****. If you get a professional powdercoating done, you won't worry about the chipping off the chrome stuff. If you paint it yourself, just use a ton of clear coat.

vinegar takes off chrome as well, but seriously, if the chrome is in nice shape....

Trade it to someone who loves chrome, it's pretty hard to find a full chrome bike. Is it a schwinn?

It's your frame, but I'd try to find a way to preserve the chrome if it were mine...

You might be able to get some decent money for it.

it's like my mama used to say: chrome'll get you home... keep that crap on if you can

nitric acid mixed with acetic acid should do the trick...not that I encourage you to do this

You want to paint over a flawless chrome frame?

I mean... what's the make?

Is it a bianchi pista? I had a chrome one that I removed all of the decals from and I never really got down with the chrome. I would mention that I wanted to paint it, and peope would protest, saying the chrome looked great. I kind of like chrome on old paramounts and the like, but I just never really cared for it on the pista. Maybe it was the lack of lugs, or the oversized tubing (probably the latter.

I would recommend having it powder coated. If you don't want to do that, I would put a coat of candy on top of the chrome, and use a couple layers of clearcoat and hope for the best. paint on chrome looks awesome.

Oh wait, is candy that semi-translucent paint? That **** would look hot!

I remember seeing a bike with yellow over chrome and it looked gorgeous. Maybe on the bikeworks website?

GOD NO! Please keep it!

wait, we still don't know what the frame is. Maybe it's just a Murry.

Seriously, if the chrome is good, get it painted right and it will be fine. You'll probably spend more time and money trying to get the chrome off.

It's Just An Old Cheap Bianchi Pista

If you've got $100 bucks or so, I'd get it powdercoated. I talked to the guys at the shop when I considered having mine done and they said they sandblast it, I think, then powdercoat it. They made it seem like it being chrome was a non-issue. Nor should it be. Paint adheres to surfaces like primer better, surfaces that are non-glossy and kind of rough, for whatever reason.

Powdercoat on the other hand, adheres electrostatically, then forms a skin once it is baked, so you should be ok. Correct me if I'm horribly, horribly wrong on this, which I very well may be.

Also, since the powder is charged and bonds electrostatically, why is it so important that the undercoat be blasted to remove paint and the like?

Because the powdercoat cures in an oven at 400° F and old paint left beneth the surface will likely blister and burn. Also, the powder coat is paint, just in dry pigment form. It needs an etched surface for proper adhesion.

I had my old Centurion powdercoated and they just blasted it and put on the color along with a metal flake clear coat. I have been riding the bike for about six months and its not chipping at all, except where my chain dropped between the chainring and chainstay (rats). Tape off any areas with duct tape that you want the chrome to stay and they will blast the frame and use heat proof tape when coating/baking.

My bikes: https://www.myspace.com/eccentriccyclistcharlie

Chrome is easy to remove. Just press the seatbelt buckle.

Tip your waitresses.

Are you spraypainting it? Been there, done that. Just lay down the money for powdercoat. Even the best rattlecan job will chip pathetically compared to 2 part paint or powdercoat (no matter how many coats of clear you put on). It's just not worth the time/effort.

i will employ a razor blade and patience against you if you ruin chrome