How to Make Machine Finish Look Like Chrome

Sand the surface of the machine finished product with medium-grit sandpaper. Rubbing the surface with medium-grit sandpaper causes the surface to become rougher or courser, which is effective for acting as teeth for gripping the primer. Wipe the dust caused by the sanding away from the surface.

Spray the primer on top of the object's surface. Allow the primer to dry overnight before proceeding.

Shake the can of chrome spray paint, and spray the first coat on top of the machine finished object. Chrome spray paint gives the machine finished object the same bright silver color that chrome has. Let the first coat of spray paint dry overnight.

Spray the second coat of spray paint onto the object the following day. Let the second coat dry overnight.

Pour the water into a bowl. Dip a strip of fine-grit sandpaper into the water and gently sand the outer layer of the chrome spray paint using circular hand motions. The size of the sandpaper strip depends on how large the object is that you are getting to look like chrome. Since you are wet sanding, the dust and debris that would normally fall off will look like a filmy paste as you work. It's okay if you strip some of the second coat of paint off, because you will be spray painting over it again.

Wipe the film away with a dry rag when you are finished sanding. Allow the object to dry. Once it's dry, spray a third coat of chrome paint on. Repeat Step 5 so that you can wet sand the third layer with a fine-grit sandpaper. The cycle of painting and wet sanding creates the paint to eventually become so smooth and shiny, it looks like a mirrored effect. The mirrored effect with the chrome color paint leads to an effective chrome finish.

Spray a high gloss clear spray paint over the final coating of chrome paint. The high gloss paint seals the spray paint and gives that object that overall shiny finish.