I haven't tried these but HD had some metallic paints- we were looking for something to jazz up sides of dad's motor home- those swirls & stuff that make them look cool. They had 3-4 different colors of metallics so they might work. I have some of the craft paint Folk Art metallics & it doesn't last well outside even after I sprayed the bird with couple of coats of acrylic so doubt that it would be good in bathroom. The HD stuff might work for area with high humidity- see if it is for outside. I think it came in jars?? It wasn't regular paint cans. Check over in spray paints too, I think there is a chrome color. Jan

Auto stores carry chrome paint. It can be a little pricey, but works great since it can stand the elements.

Go with the pros here galcho. Many types of paint for the elements. Should be able to find one to help you.

Chrome plating is very difficult.

1. Chrome paint does not look like chrome (more like silver).
2. If the item is of value, ask an auto-detailing shop how much to re-chrome it.
3. You can buy a chrome plate kit to do an actual chrome plating.
4. If the area is small on the bar, cut it off and make it shorter.
5. You can buy self-adhesive mirror mylar to cover it. (Art supply store, plastic store)

dcarch

Thank you, people, you are such a great source of all kind of info. I'll talk to automechanic about this.
thanks again

Why not just try to restore the gold part? There is a rub-on finish that comes in a tube. I believe it comes in gold and silver. You can get it at WM or other art supply store.

I have used the rub on stuff (caught it in the other post, so had to come here to figure out what was going on!) for a number of projects. Most recently I used them to cover some kitchy looking fake fruit- I used the antique finish and they looked great! I will add though, that it might not work for something that gets a lot of handling- mine has rubbed off a bit after a while, and I doubt that, without some sort of sealant that it would stay on for very long on an item that gets both moisture and regular use. I have no idea what might work over the rub on, though, since it has wax in it. Does the documentation recommend anything? I threw mine away, so I would like to know myself. Not to threadjack, or anything. ;-)

Galcho, how do the ends look- do they stick out beyond the mounting brackets, or do they bend right at the support (if that makes sense). If they go beyond the support, and you are willing to be creative, could you glue something pretty over the end cap, maybe like a fun glass bead? Could you cover the peeling area with a hanging tassel, or wind some copper or gold wire around it? Seems to me that there would be lots of ways to "gussy" it up without spending a lot to re-chrome or paint repeatedly. If you wanted to spend some money, maybe you could find an inexpensive endcap for a similarly sized drapery rod. They usually have some at Goodwill, and they generally have a screw that would tighten it to a smaller bar, if that is an issue.

Or, you could plant them in the garden as a short trellis, and get new ones. After all, this IS the garden junk forum!!!
Off to lurkdom, good luck!