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We Recommend SATA Paint guns for the best Cosmichrome finish

When you are spray a finish as smooth and reflective as Cosmichrome you need the finest paint guns to get a perfectly smooth finish. An inferior paint gun will produce a rough, orange peel finish in the chrome. You can’t hide orange peel in a finish that needs to be as smooth as chrome plating.

Using the right paint gun will make a remarkable difference in the quality of your final Cosmichrome finish. Remember, you are trying to simulate very smooth chrome electroplating. An inexpensive paint gun will not perform well enough to give the best results. You spent the money on the right Spray Chrome machine when you bought a Cosmichrome system. Get the right paint gun too.

We recommend the SATAjet 5000B HVLP with a 1.3mm tip. The digital model is shown below. A standard model is also available for a lower price. Please tell us which model you prefer.

Spraying Chrome Instructions. How to Apply Cosmichrome Base Coat
V-BCL Base Coat 100 grams
V-BCL-CAT catalyst 40 grams
Reducer- None needed
Mix for 2 minutes before spraying.
Use a scale to measure the paints. Do not use ratios on mixing cups.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL PARTS MUST BE PREPAIRED PRIOR TO APPLIYING THE COSMICHROME BASE COAT. PARTS MUST BE SEALED AND WET SANDED WITH MIN 800 GRIT SAND PAPER. BCL BASECOAT WILL NOT COVER OR HIDE ROUGH IMPERFECTIONS ON THE SUBSTRATE.

Recommended primers: either urethane, epoxy or polyester. Primer must be catalyzed and must be completly dry before applying base coat. Spray chrome application requires completely dry base coat and primers.

Spray application

Adjust the spray gun as follows

35-40 PSI at the gun, (2 bars) lower pressures will cause the paint to dry slower so be careful

Wide open fan

Needle open 1 1/2 to 2 turns

Spray the substrate with one medium wet film in a cris cross pattern and let stand for 10 min.
Spray a wet second coat after 10 min have elapsed.

Once you are satisfied with you application allow 30 min to dry naturally before baking or allow to air dry at normal room temperatures and above.

BAKING BASE COAT
It is critical that the base coat is completely and properly dried! When in doubt such as on large or heavy parts or parts with heavy coats of base coat, dry the base coat longer. It is not possible to over dry the Cosmichrome base coat.

If you have applied a primer or other paint on a part first that paint must be completely cured before applying our base coat. If the base coat is wet or a primer beneath the base coat is wet then the final finish can discolor or appear foggy and intra-coating adhesion will be weak. Allow primed parts to bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes at 140 F / 60 C
Longer dry times are fine if your part is large or has a lot of paint. The base coat can’t be over dried!
Higher temperatures can reduce baking time.
Allow parts to cool down to room temp before continuing the process.

NATURAL AIR DRY FOR  BASE COAT

Once you have finished applying 2 or 3 coats,  let the parts dry in a dust free environment (closed room)  for 15– 24 hours minimum at room temp. Small parts dry faster. Large parts take longer to dry properly. When in doubt allow the base coat to dry longer.  Our Base coat can’t be over dried so there is nothing to worry about drying parts longer. Even if you bake the part and want to wait until the next day or over the weekend to plate there will still be excellent adhesion. We have accidentally baked parts at 320ºF for 1 hour and the adhesion was still excellent. The base coat discolored and turned brown and it did not damage the coating.

Please note if you have sprayed more then 2 coats of base coat allow more dry time, 24 hours minimum. Minimum!