Can somebody tell me why...
 

..it is that chrome paint instantly turns to grey when clear is applied over it?

Here's what happened:

Being tired of cheaply chromed parts that seem to rust through no matter what care and prevention methods I take, I decided "Hey, I'll just paint it chrome and not have to worry about it any more"! I take my fender braces off, sand them down nice and smooth, make sure they are nice and clean, grab a rattle can of chrome paint and give it two good coats. At this point, things are great, they look awesome! So I'm thinking, "I'll shoot a couple of coats of clear over these and they'll look awesome..and have a protected finish". This is where things take a huge turn. The rattle can of clear, when applied over the chrome turns the entire piece to grey instantly. What is it that makes this happen??

Obviously some kinda reaction. I'm guessing it wasn't the same brand of paint either?? That's a No No.
I believe the chrome paint gets it's shine from the particles that rest on the surface when done and the clear just dilutes it.

Like to find some of this stuff:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3kwkki0bMk

^^^^^That is not at all what I expected to see. Pretty cool stuff.

I guess he was a Star Wars fan to do the Darth Vader helmet.

B

Actually I believe that the simple, scientific answer is that you change the way that light is refracted then reflected with clear.

If you apply enough clear over various base colors, the results become predictibable BUT The same UV blockers in the paint that protect the fragile film of base coat also cause some light tricks.

It is possible that there was some reaction but I have sprayed high metallic silvers which darken a good bit when the clear is applied.

The "chrome" aerosol paint is probably a very fine aluminum paint.
If the wet clear floats some of the tiny aluminum particles to up into it, it will turn muddy grey instead of shiny "chrome".

I figured it there was some kind of logical scientific answer. I guess I won't be using this paint method any more. Thanks for the info.

i did the same thing drove mr crazy on thepaint thing on smaller parts use a single stage and dip them gets a thicker coat

Pm sent

I wish I would have known you needed some I just sold a set