I was just thinking of painting over my chrome exhaust tips black. Just wondering if anyone else has done it and their experience in doing so. Of course you really need to rub the chrome back to a dull finish. I have seen via you tube that the best primer to initially use is an epoxy primer, as it sticks to the metal far better than standard primer. I did ring Skoda to find out the price of new black ones. Two problems there, one is they said they are black with a bit of chrome. As I am trying to get rid of all the chrome on the car, they are no good. Second problem, they cost £120 each. Bloomin heck that is some price for a couple of exhaust tips!!! The exhaust tips will be the last of any chrome on the car to get rid of if I end up doing it.

I have, but it doesn't sound like I did as much preparation as you're planning on doing.

Getting them off was a complete pain - I'm not going to lie, but I had grazed knuckles, shouting matches and a strop (at least once).

Let me put it this way, they are back on the car now - they are never coming off the car again.

 

I washed and cleaned them down - so no dirt or anything like that, I didn't however do any kind of sanding or rubbing. I was happy with the finish on them and was happy to go straight to primer and then paint.

I just used a metal primer spray can on them, being careful to make sure it was an even finish, no pools of paint etc.

I then used Halfords high temperature, gloss black engine paint (spray can again) and gave them a number of coats - ensuring each coat was nice and dry before I applied the next. Again, careful with the spraying, not rushing and making sure it was nice and even coats.

 

I am more than happy with the result - they have been on the car for about 18 months now since the paint and they still look very black and glossy, no loss of colour etc.

7 minutes ago, Stoofa said:

I have, but it doesn't sound like I did as much preparation as you're planning on doing.

Getting them off was a complete pain - I'm not going to lie, but I had grazed knuckles, shouting matches and a strop (at least once).

Let me put it this way, they are back on the car now - they are never coming off the car again.

 

I washed and cleaned them down - so no dirt or anything like that, I didn't however do any kind of sanding or rubbing. I was happy with the finish on them and was happy to go straight to primer and then paint.

I just used a metal primer spray can on them, being careful to make sure it was an even finish, no pools of paint etc.

I then used Halfords high temperature, gloss black engine paint (spray can again) and gave them a number of coats - ensuring each coat was nice and dry before I applied the next. Again, careful with the spraying, not rushing and making sure it was nice and even coats.

 

I am more than happy with the result - they have been on the car for about 18 months now since the paint and they still look very black and glossy, no loss of colour etc.

Thanks for your reply Stoofa. I know what you mean about getting them off, as I have had a good look underneath. I have sprayed all the bolts with release fluid and with the offside one, loosened the 3 bolts and then tightened them up again. Just to see if they would come undone when I do the job.  That was with the car on the ground. Bloomin tough to get my hands in there as you say. I think the nearside one looks a little harder to get to all the bolts, soon see when I do the job. Just got to get rid of the last bits of chrome. Chrome, in my opinion, belongs on classic cars only. 

3 hours ago, roaddetective said:

I did ring Skoda to find out the price of new black ones. Two problems there, one is they said they are black with a bit of chrome. As I am trying to get rid of all the chrome on the car, they are no good. 

 

I think there's probably been a bit of confusion of terms there, the black tips that came on the PFL 230, launch 245 and 245 Challenge, which is what I assume they're quoting for, are entirely black. They could be described as 'black chrome' though, rather than gloss black, that might be what they mean by 'with a bit of chrome' - there is certainly no silver chrome on them.

 

The ludicrous price is enough of a reason not to buy them regardless though! 

2 minutes ago, Kenai said:

 

I think there's probably been a bit of confusion of terms there, the black tips that came on the PFL 230, launch 245 and 245 Challenge, which is what I assume they're quoting for, are entirely black. They could be described as 'black chrome' though, rather than gloss black, that might be what they mean by 'with a bit of chrome' - there is certainly no silver chrome on them.

 

The ludicrous price is enough of a reason not to buy them regardless though! 

Oh that's what they meant by a bit of chrome. As for the price, Skoda are seriously taking the you know what. Now I just hope I do a great job painting the tips gloss black.

On 21/04/2021 at 16:53, Stoofa said:

I have, but it doesn't sound like I did as much preparation as you're planning on doing.

Getting them off was a complete pain - I'm not going to lie, but I had grazed knuckles, shouting matches and a strop (at least once).

Let me put it this way, they are back on the car now - they are never coming off the car again.

 

I washed and cleaned them down - so no dirt or anything like that, I didn't however do any kind of sanding or rubbing. I was happy with the finish on them and was happy to go straight to primer and then paint.

I just used a metal primer spray can on them, being careful to make sure it was an even finish, no pools of paint etc.

I then used Halfords high temperature, gloss black engine paint (spray can again) and gave them a number of coats - ensuring each coat was nice and dry before I applied the next. Again, careful with the spraying, not rushing and making sure it was nice and even coats.

 

I am more than happy with the result - they have been on the car for about 18 months now since the paint and they still look very black and glossy, no loss of colour etc.

Hi Stoofa. I have a quick question if you don't mind. Did you use a high heat primer, or just an ordinary metal primer? I already have the gloss black exhaust paint, just not sure whether to look for high heat exhaust primer, or would ordinary metal primer do the job without flaking off. The primer I have at the moment is epoxy primer, which is good for rubbed down chrome applications. (Saw it used on you tube on chrome mirrors). Trying to work out whether it would be okay for hot exhaust tips. 

1 hour ago, roaddetective said:

Hi Stoofa. I have a quick question if you don't mind. Did you use a high heat primer, or just an ordinary metal primer? I already have the gloss black exhaust paint, just not sure whether to look for high heat exhaust primer, or would ordinary metal primer do the job without flaking off. The primer I have at the moment is epoxy primer, which is good for rubbed down chrome applications. (Saw it used on you tube on chrome mirrors). Trying to work out whether it would be okay for hot exhaust tips. 

I think I can now answer my own question. Just taken the car on a 7 mile drive to see how hot the exhaust tips get. Felt the tips when I got back and they were barely warm. So by the looks of it they don't really need painting in heat resistant paint at all. So my epoxy primer and gloss black paint should do the job nicely.  

Bought some spare ones and sprayed them up. All good, until I went to take the old ones off. Absolute ballache job, the outer screws are rusted and the head is now goosed and the top screw is almost impossible to get to!

 

Might try taking the bumper off but it's more hassle than it's worth I'm feeling!

9 minutes ago, DC04R said:

Bought some spare ones and sprayed them up. All good, until I went to take the old ones off. Absolute ballache job, the outer screws are rusted and the head is now goosed and the top screw is almost impossible to get to!

 

Might try taking the bumper off but it's more hassle than it's worth I'm feeling!

I know what you mean about the screws. I have been under there already and sprayed release fluid on them all. Although I had trouble getting my hands in there in the correct position with the small ratchet, all screws so far have been slightly undone and done up again ready. Thought I would check they came undone okay before I do the job in the next few days. Can't imagine how hard it would have been on an older car with the added rust on the screws.

Mine's only a 2017. The head on the passenger side has definitely gone. the others were fine, just the outer one. Thought it'd be a half hour job but spent half an hour just trying to tackle that one screw, so gave up.

I took mine to a local wheel refurbishing place. Done in satin black for £40. Had them on for over 3 years now with no chips, corrosion etc.

On 25/04/2021 at 12:40, roaddetective said:

Hi Stoofa. I have a quick question if you don't mind. Did you use a high heat primer, or just an ordinary metal primer? I already have the gloss black exhaust paint, just not sure whether to look for high heat exhaust primer, or would ordinary metal primer do the job without flaking off. The primer I have at the moment is epoxy primer, which is good for rubbed down chrome applications. (Saw it used on you tube on chrome mirrors). Trying to work out whether it would be okay for hot exhaust tips. 

Hi,

 

I've just been out to the garage to check on the primer - no, I didn't use a heat proof primer.

I think it is probably overkill having a heat resistant paint on the tips - sure, the actual exhaust gets warm, but I think on testing, these things barely seem to get very warm.

The Halfords Engine paint was recommended by someone else who had done them and to be honest I have been happy with the result - but I suspect any black gloss for metal (and completing a number of coats) will be just fine.

2 hours ago, Stoofa said:

Hi,

 

I've just been out to the garage to check on the primer - no, I didn't use a heat proof primer.

I think it is probably overkill having a heat resistant paint on the tips - sure, the actual exhaust gets warm, but I think on testing, these things barely seem to get very warm.

The Halfords Engine paint was recommended by someone else who had done them and to be honest I have been happy with the result - but I suspect any black gloss for metal (and completing a number of coats) will be just fine.

I completely agree with you. Until I tested how hot the tips got, I thought they would be a lot hotter. They were barely warm after the drive.  

Interesting, my chrome tips have a smidge of rust on the welds so this is something i'd consider. I think ill stick some rustoleum stuff on the screws to stop corrosion till I get round to it.

£4 tin of smooth hammerite, done 2 years ago still look like new

 

Took the tips off today, just before it started raining. Took me about 30mins, but as has been said, a bit of a pain to get your hands and small ratchet into the small spaces to get to the screws. Gave the chrome a good rubbing down to a dull finish with my electric sander and sanding blocks. Then put on 3 coats of the epoxy primer, as this stuff apparently sticks well to dull chrome. Then 3 coats of lovely shiny gloss black paint. Going to get them back onto the car tomorrow when they are fully dry and cured. Must make sure I put a cloth around the painted surface when I fit them back on, as it would be a shame if I scratch the new paint. 

Job done. 

I must be doing it wrong. I just can't see any way of getting those screws out to get them off without taking the bumper off!!

4 minutes ago, DC04R said:

I must be doing it wrong. I just can't see any way of getting those screws out to get them off without taking the bumper off!!

Oh it is possible, unless you have a rusted screw that will not budge. You will never be able to drill it out without taking the bumper off.  My hands are a large size, so it certainly was tight. I used a small socket set and at times once I shone the torch to see where a particular screw was positioned, had to get in there by feel. It took around 30 mins to get them both off and 45 mins to get them back on again, trying not to scratch the new paint. I put masking tape around the painted surface just in case. Good luck mate.  Forgot to mention, I also jacked the car up to let it down again onto 2 pieces of 4x4 underneath the back wheels. I just wanted another 4 inch of height to play with. 

Think I'll just take the bumper off. Give it a clean too while all off. Or a lot of swearing, cutting of hands and breaking of brackets might happen

Just now, DC04R said:

Think I'll just take the bumper off. Give it a clean too while all off. Or a lot of swearing, cutting of hands and breaking of brackets might happen

I had the odd scraping of hands, but no cuts or broken brackets. The brackets are quite strong by the way. 

3 hours ago, DC04R said:

I must be doing it wrong. I just can't see any way of getting those screws out to get them off without taking the bumper off!!

 

Aye, it can be done - but be prepared for loss of knuckle skin, sanity & mind!

Don't rush it, make sure all screws can be loosened before you really begin - nothing worse than getting all but one screw out and then finding that last one will not budge!

Lots of lying on the ground, hands in tight spaces. Swearing is a must, hair loss to be expected.

1 hour ago, Stoofa said:

 

Aye, it can be done - but be prepared for loss of knuckle skin, sanity & mind!

Don't rush it, make sure all screws can be loosened before you really begin - nothing worse than getting all but one screw out and then finding that last one will not budge!

Lots of lying on the ground, hands in tight spaces. Swearing is a must, hair loss to be expected.

All the above very true.