Painting Chrome

[Rekusu]

What ho one and all,

X years ago, I installed an ideal standard bath and dual mixer tap with shower attachment. The shower head is very basic but does give a good shower. Over the intervening years, the chrome on the head is flaking so have replaced with another head, but it fives a very poor shower.

Would like to refurbish the original but re-chroming will be expensive and Ideal Standard do not market just the basic head itself.

Could I smooth off the flaking parts, gently abrade the head and spray with gloss white? Will paint adhere to chrome and what is the likelihood of it lasting?

Thanks and toodle pip

 

[Wayners]

Medium wire wool or 320grade sand.
Good clean with meths.
Spray can.
See how long it lasts.

I'd keep looking for another shower head myself as cheap enough

 

[opps]

Surely the shower head is plastic with a chrome effect? Or are talking about fixed shower heads?

Ideal Standard do sell shower heads separately.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008DCTO36

 

[Rekusu]

It is chromed plastic.
I did see the ID head as in the above link, but without actually being able to see how the spray is, I am slightly loath to buy it. The old one has only one pattern, and no built-in technology. Just want a good stream of water, not so fine that it kinda splashes everywhere. It's for the bath and washing hair, certainly don't need "massage spray mode delivers a truly invigorating experience."

 

[Rodders53]

Shower heads are a personal preference thing. Also depend on if you want a choice of spray pattern.

Very pleased with the Grohe Euphoria 110 Massage (3 spray patterns) that came with our new shower system. Similar Grohe units seem to last quite well in hotels we visit. They also come as a mono shower (single pattern) and are, therefore, cheaper.

Many modern shower heads have water saving features and/or are designed for high pressure use - so do check if the one you have purchased is restricting the water flow by design. Or intended for HP and you have a vented HW cylinder...

But Ideal Standard shower heads are readily available so choose one that seems similar in design shape and nozzle pattern?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ideal-Standard-Aluminium-Two-Function-Diameter/dp/B0BZDVMVVB

Other brands with a good rep may be worth considering? A few bathroom showrooms have displays that actually work! Seek out one near you. You may be able to get a demo (and take your old head along to compare).

 

[opps]

Many modern shower heads have water saving features

True but the one that I listed to says that you can remove the internal restrictor.

 

[Wayners]

I bought some designer taps from Screwfix that they were selling off because of poor reviews. Many said the water dribbled out. Turns out they had flow restriction in which was this plastic mesh thing I just dug out with screwdriver. Brilliant high quality taps for £15. I bought 3 more sets..
I think this water saving thing is in toilets, taps and showers ect without clear instructions on it is causing problems. Stupid things....

 

[Burnerman]

Make sure the supply pipe to the shower head is as big a diameter as possible - especially if you have gravity water feed!
John

 

[opps]

Make sure the supply pipe to the shower head is as big a diameter as possible - especially if you have gravity water feed!
John

It seems to be flexi pipe from the (under side?) of the bath tap. Aren't they pretty much standard?

 

[Burnerman]

No, the threaded ends are the same, but the internal diameters vary. The biggest, I think, is 10mm bore and if your water supply is minimal it can help a lot.
John

 

[opps]

No, the threaded ends are the same, but the internal diameters vary. The biggest, I think, is 10mm bore and if your water supply is minimal it can help a lot.
John

I didn't know that, many thanks.

 

[Tigercubrider]

You should be able to sand the chrome effect off.
There are “chrome effect” paints but you may be better to use a bright colour.

 

[Brigadier]

I think this water saving thing is in toilets, taps and showers ect

...is storing up drain blockages for the future.

Crap - dribble of water flush - repeat.

Eventually, you (or Dynarod) is going to put hundred or thousands of litres down the drain, to shift the blockage and restore good flow.

Simpler surely, to cut out the faff, and just maintain with better flushes, is my way of thinking.

 

[Wayners]

@Brigadier
Overflow pipes were put above doors or where they would cause a nuisance. Now toilets overflow into themselves so they get ignored.
Crazy

 

[Rodders53]

True but the one that I listed to says that you can remove the internal restrictor.

I was not criticising your suggestion (in fact I never looked at the linked item).

Rather, it was a comment on why the OPs replacement head may be unsatisfying to him.

The shower hose bore point is good point made by Burnerman.
Sometimes one gets both shower head and hose in a replacement pack?

I remember hunting for a wider bore hose once for a wall mounted 'power shower' on a vented H^C system. Quite difficult to find it specified on the packs back in the day (>20 years ago).