Provided are robust paint coating systems on metal-coated plastic substrates and processes for forming such material systems as decorative components. An organometallic adhesion promoter is applied to a metal-coated plastic substrate. The metal coating comprises chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) or combinations thereof. The organometallic adhesion promoter comprises (i) a transition metal selected from the group consisting of: zirconium (Zr), titanium (Ti), chromium (Cr), and combinations thereof, (ii) a first ligand complexed to the transition metal comprising an organofunctional group, and (iii) a second ligand complexed to the transition metal having a hydrolysable functional group. Then, one or more organic paint precursor materials are applied thereon. The hydrolysable functional group is capable of reacting with the metal-coated substrate and the organofunctional group with at least a portion of the organic paint precursor material to form a robust polymeric paint coating having a robust bond with the metal-coated plastic substrate below.