Joey,

First off, I was in your latest training class in April. Thanks for everything....really helped out a lot. I've got a couple questions about coating over chrome. A customer of mine wants me to coat his chrome wheels in black powder. These wheels have been well used but are in good condition (chrome isn't flaking). They are however dirty from brake dust and road wear (dirt/asphalt/tar). What would you recommend for prep on something like this? Wash and degrease... but would you blast to get a better profile? Would you use a multi cleaner to etch for better adhesion? Thanks

 Dan

Dan,

  I'm glad you enjoyed the class!  The new class schedules for 2011 have been more popular than we imagined.  For the past year we've had to cap the number of students in the classes but we hope to add more later in the year so the waiting list isn't as bad.  Some new and exciting things coming over the next few months with the classes as well.   

  To answer your question:  When in doubt, expect the worse!!  We sometimes have students who ask us to give them better "shortcuts" that will allow them to skip some steps but will give the exact same results.  Truth is, if the results were the same, the most productive way is how we would teach it.  Your friend's rims, for example, "SEEM" to have a good coating of chrome.  Can you simply clean them and the powder stick?  Possibly.  100% for sure?  Nope.  Always go back to the basics and remember this one fact:  YOU ARE ONLY AS GOOD AS YOUR FOUNDATION.  PERIOD.  The issue with coating over the chrome is, if the chrome comes off, your powder comes off.  My suggestion is to blast the rims and go from a bare surface.  

   Once again, glad you made the class and hope you had fun and learned something.  It's all about helping all you guys become successful and profitable in the industry.

Joey