Okay, I have read threads: EddieMod; Dechroming with bleach;Headlight
Ring removal;and Tail Light disassembly.

Unless I come to my senses soon, I plan on painting the inside of both the
tail lights and Xenon headlights on my 2006. I have Lyles Vinyl headlight rings and door handles to be put on.

Unless someone has more info/suggestions, I plan to use Scotchbrite pads
and/or Dremel Sanding to roughen up the chrome. Any advice on how much chrome you have to remove before you can get paint to adhere?

Does anyone have a suggestion for a Manufacturer/type of spray can paint for this---Satin Black or Flat Black. Or does it make more sense to bring
the chromed parts to a bodyshop and let them do their thing?

 

By doing this you will reduce your lights output. If I'm wrong I apologize, but to me it sounds like you are painting the reflectors?

 

you'll be fine as far as output goes. some people have done this without sanding with great results. satin blacks are recommended by most.



here's AZMCS' documentation:
http://www.motoringunderground.com/f...ead.php?t=5393

 

What gnlr13 posted is what I used but in Satin and no sanding. Results are fabulous without any blemishes. If you do get some, it can be sanded out and sprayed again with the same paint. No priming.

Only thing that I did not paint was the bright light housing due to the fact of possible light loss.

 

I used the fusion paint on my tails and it worked great. When I used the scotchbrite pad and the chrome on the insides just seemed to wipe right off w/ very little effort.

 

you used them on your tails?
pics pics. we need pics!
im trying to find a chance to do mine.

 

click his gallery button

 

Sorry I haven't gotten any pics on the car. The wife is worried I'll screw something up so she is requesting I wait until the car is paid for before I get to mod. I'm supposed to be heading overseas for some work in a few months, that'll pay the car off before Christmas I hope. Been working on my Christmas wish list, why do Xenon housing have to be so darn expensive!?!??!

 

I don't know whether this is good or bad news. I went to a local Mini event
and met the Orlando Mini painting guru, Luis from Glimpse Auto Body.
He is convincing me to change from satin black vinyl rings/handles and DIY
painted satin headlight internals to : having him do paint body color Astro Black
for everything and he does assembly/disassembly. Yea, I know it will cost me, but even if I did the assembly myself I am still going to end up with satin black instead of Astro Black. Further as soon as M-7 markets their extractor
scoop , I am going to get one. Then I could have Luis paint the scoop also.

You only live once

 

well, projectors don't have reflectors to be painted but any joey mod is about painting the chrome part that has no functional purpose. The reflectors always remain chrome/reflective. But much of our headlight is chrome without ever actually reflecting anything. When pulled apart, the reflectors are a separate piece.

 

checked his gallery. wow i really like that mod. im gonna paint mine too. as soon as i get the ***** to do the headlights too..
might as well do both at the same time. or maybe i should do seperate. gotta do it on a slow day at work when my dad's not there..
he keeps telling me not to mod my mini...as if that's ever going to happen.