Painting hardware

[hendecahedron]

I'd like to change the finish of my hardware (hoops, tom arms, lugs, etc.) from chrome to shiny black. Is spraypaint a good option?

[harryconway]

No. Unless you want to keep spray painting it every time it gets chipped, scratched, etc.

[zambizzi]

You'll want to have them powder-coated or electro-plated, which would possibly cost more than just buying new hardware.

[MykeyInChains]

There are way too many moving parts on hardware to make spraypaint look decent. All the pivots will be screwed up. It is possible to make spray paint stick to a cymbal stand, but it requires too much sanding and primering to make it look mediocre at most. Think about where the cymbal stands tighten for the high adjustment. The paint will crack and peel the second you tighten them at any point. The pivots will scrape off paint.

Anodizing would be ideal because there is no paint or coating added to the outside, but be prepared to pay tons of money. Powder coating may be too thick for some points, depending on your hardware.

Just live with how it is.

[Jeff Almeyda]

There are way too many moving parts on hardware to make spraypaint look decent. All the pivots will be screwed up. It is possible to make spray paint stick to a cymbal stand, but it requires too much sanding and primering to make it look mediocre at most. Think about where the cymbal stands tighten for the high adjustment. The paint will crack and peel the second you tighten them at any point. The pivots will scrape off paint.

Anodizing would be ideal because there is no paint or coating added to the outside, but be prepared to pay tons of money. Powder coating may be too thick for some points, depending on your hardware.

Just live with how it is.

Anodizing's no good, only works on aluminum.

I agree, just live with it. It's way too much of a hassle and expense.

[konaboy]

There are way too many moving parts on hardware to make spraypaint look decent. All the pivots will be screwed up. It is possible to make spray paint stick to a cymbal stand, but it requires too much sanding and primering to make it look mediocre at most. Think about where the cymbal stands tighten for the high adjustment. The paint will crack and peel the second you tighten them at any point. The pivots will scrape off paint.

Anodizing would be ideal because there is no paint or coating added to the outside, but be prepared to pay tons of money. Powder coating may be too thick for some points, depending on your hardware.

Just live with how it is.

Actually I don't think sanding would work to well, they'd probably have to be sand blasted to get the finish off. You'd be better off buying black hardware if that's what you want.

[hendecahedron]

Hmmm... well, seeing as there is no feasible option, I think I'll just keep the hardware as it is, or shell some cash to buy black hardware.