How do you paint center of rims black and outer edges remain chrome?

[ERIK88]

I'm wondering how some modelers paint their rims black in the center and leave the outer rims chrome. Do you guys paint the wheel over the chrome? Do u strip the chrome? If so is it brushed or spray painted?

[Speedfreak]

Hey Erik, you can do it all the ways you have mentioned. Some people even cut templates that go over the outer rim. I would just brush paint them.

[slusher]

I have taped them off and any bleed thru you can remove with a tooth pick. I have also painted them with a brush..

[RJWood]

mask it with silly putty.

Edited March 8, 2014 by RJWood

[Ace-Garageguy]

I masked these FRONT rims with 3M Fine-Line 1/8" and 1/4" masking tape, and sprayed them. The finish on the center is Testors Metalizer, shot dry and grainy to simulate a cast-alloy.

After masking the first time, I lightly scuffed the chrome with a soft artist's brush and a little Comet and water. Then dried, and re-masked.

Extra work, but I've had paint shrink and pop off of chrome that wasn't scuffed.

[ERIK88]

Sounds great! I'll mask then spraypaint black these Porsche slantnose wheels . Brushing sounds good too, it's a smaller area to cover so I believe it shouldn't leave any streaks.

[Tom Geiger]

Another way... I've stripped the chrome, painted the black and then BMFed the chrome back on the rim