Top 5 Best Chrome Spray Paints In 2022 Review

We all love those classic chrome parts on cars and motorbikes, but over time chrome can easily get chipped or scratched. Weather and rust can also play their part in reducing the shine from once gleaming chrome. Professional restoration or replacement parts can be a very expensive business. This is where the best chrome spray paint can help save the day for a fraction of the price.

Therefore, we decided to compile this list of the best chrome spray paints currently on the market and a helpful buying guide to help make your restoration dreams come true.

So, let’s go through them and find the perfect chrome spray paint for your needs, starting with our…

Top 5 Best Chrome Spray Paints For The Money In 2022 Reviews

Products	Price	Size	Effectiveness	Rating
Cheap Price Rust-Oleum Bright Coat Chrome Spray Paint View Price	(1 / 5)	Size 11-ounce	(2 / 5)	(4.6 / 5)
Also Great Krylon Short Cuts Chrome Aerosol Spray Paint View Price	(1 / 5)	Size 3.5-ounce	(2 / 5)	(4.4 / 5)
Also Great VHT Quick Coat Chrome Spray Paint View Price	(3 / 5)	Size 11-ounce	(4 / 5)	(4.6 / 5)
Also Great Dupli-Color Shadow Chrome Black-Out Coating Kit View Price	(5 / 5)	Size 11-ounce	(4 / 5)	(4 / 5)
Best Choice Spaz Stix Ultimate Mirror Chrome Spray Paint View Price	(3 / 5)	Size 3.5-ounce	(5 / 5)	(4.1 / 5)

1 Rust-Oleum Bright Coat Chrome Spray Paint – Best Budget Chrome Spray Paint

We’ll kick things off with the cheapest product on our list; the Rust-Oleum Bright Coat Chrome spray paint. This multi-purpose acrylic paint is a versatile performer. It can be applied to many different surfaces, including wood, concrete, masonry, and metal.

The 11-ounce spray can supplies a decent amount of paint, enough for a couple of coats on a large project.

So, how does it perform?

The application is probably the best thing about this paint. It covers well, and once it eventually dries, you will get a scratch resistant finish. The wide finger pad on the nozzle helps with smooth application. Unfortunately, there is a slight tendency for the paint to run.

Rust-Oleum claim that the paint will be dry to the touch in around an hour. Well, this really depends on what kind of surface you are spraying, but nothing we sprayed was even close to dry within that timeframe.

However, if you’re planning to spray onto a plastic surface, be prepared for a very lengthy drying time. We’re talking days rather than hours. Realistically, we’d say allow 24 hours for this paint to fully dry.

Slightly greyish…

Once dry, the finish isn’t exactly what you’d call chrome. There is a level of brightness to the finish, but it’s a long way from the shine of nicely buffed up chrome. More of a grey finish, if anything. For this reason, we wouldn’t use this for any car parts as you’re unlikely to be happy with the results.

Still, for this price, you can’t expect perfection, and the Rust-Oleum does an OK enough job. Best chrome spray paint, though, it is not.

2 Krylon Short Cuts Chrome Aerosol Spray Paint – Best Chrome Spray Paint for Smaller Jobs

Next up, we have the Krylon Short Cuts Chrome spray paint. It comes in a 3-ounce aerosol can, so it is really only suitable for smaller touch-up jobs rather than big pieces.

Durable performance…

It’s an enamel based paint and can be applied to a variety of different surfaces, including glass, ceramics, metal, and even wood. The aerosol spray provides pretty even coverage and, once dry, creates a durable and chip-resistant surface.

Another positive is the speed at which it dries. The Krylon chrome spray was dry to the touch within a few hours on all surfaces we tested it on.

So far, so good…

Unfortunately, it falls down where it matters most. The finish is definitely more of a silver than chrome. Once again, if you’re looking for a gleaming chrome finish, then you’ll need to look elsewhere. The Krylon has quite a dull finish that’s not even close to the desired reflective shine of chrome.

Being such a cheap product, this isn’t really surprising, but the drying speed and the durable nature of the finish just about earn the Krylon a place on this list of best value chrome spray paints.

3 VHT Quick Coat Chrome Spray Paint – Quickest Drying Chrome Spray Paint

At three times the cost of our two previous products, the VHT Quick Coat Chrome spray paint is an acrylic and enamel combination which is exceptionally durable. Rust and corrosion will be a thing of the past if using this product effectively. It comes in an 11-ounce can, enough paint for reasonable sized jobs.

Practical and versatile…

The VHT paint can be used on multiple surfaces, including metal, fiberglass, wood, and masonry. It’s also lead and ozone free, so you can rest assured that you’re not adversely affecting the environment when you buy this product. Application was smooth and consistent and didn’t run or leave any drip marks.

As with other chrome sprays, you get mixed results using it on plastic. This is dependent on the chemical makeup of the plastic, but don’t be surprised if it doesn’t adhere and takes ages to completely dry.

Drying time depends on the material, but within 30 minutes on most surfaces, it was dry to the touch and completely dry overnight.

Prime for best results…

For the best results, the VHT chrome spray paint should be applied over a primer and with a clear coat finish added to give it that glossy look. If used in this way, one coat should be enough.

The finish, although still not technically what you’d call a shiny chrome, but is far closer to the real thing than the cheaper sprays on this list of best chrome spray paints.

4 Dupli-Color Shadow Chrome Black-Out Coating Kit – Best Premium Chrome Spray Paint

At twice the price of any other product listed here, the Dupli-Color Shadow Chrome Black-Out Coating Kit is a slightly different product to most on this list. It’s specifically designed to be used on polished metal surfaces, chrome in particular.

Give it a tint…

If you’re buying this, be aware that it isn’t a chrome colored paint like all the others on this list. It’s designed to tint chrome surfaces to create a darker look that still retains the reflective qualities of chrome.

This package comes with two spray cans, which explains the higher price. The first contains the dark paint tint, and the second is a clear coat protection layer that provides a durable, high gloss finish. You can achieve a darker color by applying extra coats of the tint.

Ultimate protection…

Durability has been given top priority with the inclusion of the clear coat spray. What you get is a finish that is rust and heat resistant and stands up well to any potential chips and scratches. It also stays shining and glossy far longer than your average chrome spray.

Make sure to really give the cans a good, hard shake as otherwise, they are prone to dripping, which will result in unwanted blotches and a spoiled job.

In summary, if you want to give your chrome that tinted look, this is one of the best chrome tinting sprays you can buy.

5 Spaz Stix Ultimate Mirror Chrome Spray Paint – Best Finish Chrome Spray Paint

Lastly, we bring you the Spaz Stix Ultimate Mirror Chrome Spray paint. This comes in a small sized 3.5 fluid ounce can. If you’re contemplating any larger size job, then you’ll definitely need a few of these at a minimum.

As close as it gets…

Like most of the products on this list of quality chrome spray paints, the Ultimate Mirror is designed to achieve a gleaming chrome like finish. Whilst none (including this one) manage to fully achieve this; the Spaz Stix definitely comes the closest. You can use the ultimate mirror on multiple materials, but it really works best with polished metal.

Apply the primer…

To get the best results, you’ll need to use it in conjunction with Spaz Stix black primer paint as an undercoat, which obviously adds a little to the overall cost.

Once the primer is on, you apply multiple thin coats, letting each one dry before applying the next. If you follow this technique correctly, then you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the outcome. We wouldn’t call it a mirror level reflectiveness, but it’s an admirable effort all the same.

Finally, top things off with a final coat of Spaz Stix clear coat for a durable and weather-resistant finish.

Quick drying…

Drying time was pretty quick. On metal, it was dry to touch within the hour and completely cured overnight. If there is any complaint to be made, it’s the size of the can. 3.5-ounces really doesn’t go anywhere. It would make a lot more sense for Spaz Stix to supply the Ultimate mirror in a bigger size as almost any job, aside from a touch-up, will need more paint than this.

All in all, no list of best quality chrome spray paints would be complete without the Spaz Stix Ultimate Mirror.

Best Chrome Spray Paints Buyer’s Guide

There are a number of important factors to consider when looking to buy the best chrome spray paint for restorations. So, we’ll run through them so that you know what to look out for…

Shade

Believe it or not, chrome spray paints are not all the same color. There are various different shades available, even sprays to tint your chrome a darker color. Spray cans usually have a cap that matches the color of the paint inside, so be sure to check before you buy.

Quantity

Chrome spray cans normally come in 3.5 or 11-ounce cans. The last thing you want is to get halfway through a job, only to discover you need more paint. Information on the side of the can should reveal the square footage the contents can cover. If it’s a small touch-up job, then a 3.5-ounce can should be more than enough.

Preparation requirements

Chrome Spray painting is like any other paint job and will require some surface prep. Cleaning surfaces of dust and oil is a bare minimum. Some brands require etching or sanding, depending on the surface being used.

Most Chrome spray paints are far more effective if used together with a compatible primer and clear coat product. Check to see if you need to buy these as well.

Drying Time

This is definitely an important factor when buying the best chrome spray paint. Drying time varies significantly between various different brands. The term ‘dry to touch’ means the paint won’t transfer to your skin when touched. Completely dry means just that, no fingerprint or dent is left on the surface when you touch it.

Also, the longer the drying time, the more potential there is for it to become tainted, especially if drying outside.

Surface Type

Not all chrome spray paints are compatible with every type of surface. Some really don’t fare well on plastic, for example. Make sure you research which surfaces each paint can be used on before buying, or things could get messy.

Price

Don’t let this be too much of a deciding factor. Even the most expensive chrome spray paints aren’t that expensive, and as a general rule of thumb, the cheaper brands don’t do nearly as good a job.

Finish

Most brands promise to deliver that glossy chrome finish you want to replicate, but not that many get close to actually achieving it. That’s why it is always best to go with a known brand you can trust and pay a little bit more for a better quality finish.

Hopefully, you’re now fully equipped with the necessary knowledge to buy the best chrome paint spray for your upcoming projects. Good luck and happy painting!

Looking for more superb products for maintaining your car?

Then check out our in-depth reviews of the Best Dashboard Cleaners for Cars, the Best Car Scratch Removers, the Best Buffing Pads, the Best Car Vacuum Cleaners, and the Best Car Waxes you can buy.

Or how about our reviews of the Best Rear View Mirror Glues, the Best Automotive Paint Guns, the Best Rust Convertors, the Best Bug Tar Removers, and the Best Automotive Touch Up Paints on the market in 2022.

So what are the Best Chrome Spray Paints?

Most of the other brands featured here, VHT Quick Coat aside, have a dull metallic finish to them that isn’t reminiscent of Chrome at all. As the ultimate goal is to achieve as close to a chrome-like finish as possible, then the clear winner is the…

Spaz Stix Ultimate Mirror

It’s not particularly cheap, especially when you take into account the size of the can, but at least it comes closest to fulfilling the promise of a sparkling, chrome-like appearance. You’ll have to splash a few more dollars on Spaz Stix primer and clear coat, but it’s worth it for this level of shine.

Happy restoration!