Duplicolor Shadow Black Chrome kit.

[Jordan Kruger]

I got tired of trying to keep my charge piping polished,  So i figured ide try the new black chrome kit offered from Duplicolor.  I could only find it in the states. So I bought some from summit racing and brought it across the border (thanks Andrew). I also bought the Duplicolor Mirage Red/Blue kit for my valve cover that Im having made right now (which will get a seperate post, because its going to look radical   ).  

Im hoping to give some sort of good review of the Duplicolor products, as they seem to work really good when things are prepared correctly. The kit consists of the Black Chrome coating, and the clear coat that makes it really pop.  Seeing as the coating is intended to go on a polished or chrome surface, I decided to spray chrome the piping first to get the proper effect. So these pipes are getting 5 different coats!  haha     (primer, gloss black, chrome, black chrome, clear)
I took my time and sanded everything,  and wiped everything down really well with rubbing alcohol before a coat of primer.
There were certain nicks and bumps in the pipes that I skipped because it would test my patience. haha

Here are the Duplicolor products Im using :  



I only started the project today, so I was only able to get the primer on, then the high gloss black.
Tomorrow ill be doing the Chrome and then Black Chrome kit.

Here are some progress shots :

Prepped bare piping -



Duplicolor Sandable Primer -



Duplicolor High Gloss Black Acrylic Enamel -




Tomorrow the Chrome and Black Chrome go on. Should be interesting.

[Travis Koch]

ooooooooooooooooooooo...

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh...

What was the cost of the black chrome kit?

Looks Good...... so far.

[Jordan Kruger]

haha  Yeaaa   The pics dont show black chrome yet,   but ill get on that tomorrow morning.
Tip of the day is get more paint than you think.   I apply paint progressively in light coats and I wasnt happy with the finish I got from one can of the gloss black.  I used 2 full cans of gloss black. But I was able to get away with one can of primer on all the pipes.
Im interested to see how this rattle can chrome turns out before the black chrome, because that will be the determining factor into how good this will look. There are some decent examples on youtube.   

[Jordan Kruger]

Forgot to mention cost,       17 bux for the shadow kit before shipping.  but that was hella cheap too.

I just picked up the other cans (primer and black) from Crappy tire.   I could have gone with an etching primer to adhere to the metal better (maybe)  but I decided to go with the sandable, because I figured it may go on a tad thicker and fill some tiny dents in the metal.  So this will also be a test as to how good a sandable primer adheres to aluminum and steel.  I think the piping will handle the heat, but the one pipe that will take the beating is the turbo to intercooler pipe.  So that will be where I look when I judge how things have held up.
The Black Chrome Kit is rated for high heat!

I should also mention that I am going to use 2 kits.   I think even THAT will be cutting it close.

[Jordan Kruger]

[Jordan Kruger]

I applied the first 2 coats of Duplicolor Chrome this morning. 

Im going to use another can of chrome before I move onto the black chrome kit.

[Paul Pigar]

Nice setup buddy.





I meant the parts hanger, lol 

[Jordan Kruger]

haha  thanks paul.

I have to say,    Im sure the shadow black chrome kit would work WAY better on a real chrome surface,  but I do have a gripe...

The paint comes out of the can a little blotchy,  so its hard to apply a first even coat,   and with the chrome being rattle can chrome underneath,  the finish currently just looks like gun metal.   I was hoping the chrome would show through a bit more.

Heres a pic after first even coat.




Im going to go a tad darker with just one more coat,   and then the clear should bring it to life a bit more.

[Rob Armstrong]

Looks good.  Love the drop cloth on the grass.  Wouldn't want any paint on the lawn. 

[Jordan Kruger]

Ha   yea, the dropclotch is a representation of respect to the parents   :p

Well,  I completed the last coat of the black chrome,   and its not exactly the finish I was going for,  but I do think that the final product looks cool.   I havent done the clear coat, which will make things glossy. The pictures dont do justice as far as lighting up the brighter parts of the pipe, but when you see the car in person, youll agree it looks pretty cool.
This black chrome paint is a B@tch to use, so Im glad I was able to make it look decent. haha  

[Sheela krasnuik]

Looks good Jordan, I am going to have to get myself one of those set-ups in the yard.....good idea!!

[Jordan Kruger]

haha    It honestly doesnt look as good as your work sheela.  Who knows,  you may get them sometime to redo them.  haha

I like the finish,  but there are some "problem spots" that I probably wont get over.

Im going to let it cure all day in the sun and maybe clear coat it later.

[Jordan Kruger]

It looks....   alright.    but I honestly think ill be stripping it off and doing something different someday.  Before I come to that conclusion, im going to wet sand it completely and see if I can get it nice and glossy.  Otherwise, the paint will all be coming off.  

The black chrome probably works well on real chrome components. Or that plastic chrome coated pieces that come on cars.
Im not a huge fan outcome on my charge piping, tho I do think it looks kinda cool,  I may style it for a while .... or I mayyyy be calling SHEELA!  

[Sheela krasnuik]

Before you text me......Please strip off the many layers first 
That wheel that I did is the new Black Chrome Extreme. It lays nicer than the old color they had. Because any color like that has metallic in it, it requires a clear coat.

So if I shoot it with powder it's only a duel process.

If you want I can shoot a 6" pipe for you to look at BEFORE you make your decision. Just text me and let me know.

[Jordan Kruger]

Figured Ide post up a picture of the pipes now that I have clear on it.   I could have made the coating darker on the larger pipes if I didnt run out of shadow paint,   so its speckled in some spots. But overall, I think it looks cooler than just black or colored piping.