How to paint matt black aluminium pool fence posts?

[macdon]

I want paint the matt black powder coated aluminium pool fence posts in chrome to match a proposed new fence on the opposite side. I've read that spray painting chrome over black just doesn't work and I can't get them powder coated as their removal and re-instatement will create numerous other issues. Can I wrap them in say sticky transparency and spray paint over that?

[JacobZ]

Hi @macdon,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

While you are never going to be able to achieve a true chrome finish because it is achieved through an electroplating process, there are paints that have a similar finish.

I'm pretty confident it should be possible to achieve something close to chrome with the right primer and application technique, but you'll have to let me reach out to our paint suppliers' technical teams when they resume work on Monday to ensure I am giving the best advice possible.

Please bear with me, I will get back in touch as soon as I can.

Jacob

[JacobZ]

Hi @macdon,

I've spoken with our paint suppliers, and unfortunately, they are not confident that there is a paint solution that would last long term.

There are chrome spray paints, but they are not suitable for highly exposed external areas, like a pool area where there is water and pool chemicals. Even if you were to prime or wrap the posts, they would not hold their lustre for long in these conditions and being a softer coating, they would chip off faster than you'd hope. 

Their advice was that the only option that would last long term is to remove the posts and replace them with electroplated chrome posts.

Sorry that I couldn't be of more assistance.

Jacob

[macdon]

Thanks Jacob...I cannot remove the posts. Might try it on one and might work as just need it to last 2 years before replacing the whole structure.

Thanks again.