slowly yet surely all the chrome is disappearing. i don't really want to go with the complete blackout look and was thinking about getting tint or something of the likes and covering all the chrome bits. in my head im picturing a dark chrome, not completely black but nit shiny as frick either. i was just wondering where i can get the materials to do this. i tried going to my pepboys but all their tint is purpleish and looked gross.

 

Hey, brilliant idea! Maybe try getting scraps from a tint shop?

 

If you were interested in going for a little more effort, you could paint the parts with this:

http://www.duplicolor.com/products/shadow/

 

great thanks for the link. i may give this a try. now to call up all the autoparts stores!

 

can try 3M vinyl ...

 

i tried out the paint, pics to come on a sunny day. overall i am pleased, i did however run into a lil glitch with the driver-side door handle.

 

whats the difference between black chrome and a glossy black finish?

 

There is only a small difference in the tint of the black. You can see a difference between the jcw black grill trim and my painted trim. I will post pictures soon so y'all can see what I'm talking about.

 

Regular chrome shines a silvery-blue, where black chrome shines a darker, greyish or maybe pewter.

Glossy black is just black, no mirror shine.

 

I had the blackchrome mod done to Mario last year. Didn't wanna do the typical gloss or matt black vinyl way.

Here's a couple of photos of it;



Under shelter


Under the sun


At night

 

Wow that looks really good, 7876_MCS. I think it looks much better than the vinyl blackouts. Is that a paint or were they re-plated with black chrome?

 

Thanks, Kirby11!

I'm actually using tinted film for the black chrome effect (see below);


The same tinted film is also being used for my bonnet stripes & roof.

 

Looks very nice, was the belt line done the same way?
What was the name/number of the tint used, I will want to talk to the guys that did my windows! Thanks!
Nice pictures too.

 

that is exactly the look i was going for, however the paint i used didn't quite get those results. if i wasn't a poor college student/persistent diy'er i would have gone your route.

 

Thank you!
The beltline was also given the black chrome effect using the same tinted film. I don't have the exact name/type of it, just that it's the kind many would use to tint their brakelights.

 

I prefer the tinted film method as it's easily reversible.
Had seen fellow MINI-sters who had their chrome parts painted; wasn't to my expectations in terms of the finishing & durability.

 

I love the way that looks!! Was your roof black before though? I have a Laser Blue MCS but with a white roof/stripes. I love the black chrome look but I feel it would look mismatched with a white roof :(

 

it looks like he had a red roof. matches the stripes.

 

You could probably do the roof in a blue tint/35% film and have your stripes redone, i.e. remove the white and redo with a gray 35% film, just saying. Best thing is to find a shop that handles the color film and talk to them about your idea/goal.
I'm taking mine in tomorrow to the guys that did my windows to,see if they can do and are intersted in doing the chrome light trim rings front and back and the belt line as well.

 

Both my MINI's body & roof are Chili Red.
For your Laser Blue w/White roof MINI, you could perhaps toy with the idea of having the tinted roof wrap done, along with the bonnet stripes. That would definitely be a very unique look!

 

Hey 7876. How is the film holding up ie washes, weather. I love the look. It is awesome. Did you have to do any type of prep work on the chrome pieces first. Sorry for the questions. You going to get a lot of copycats. Thanks for sharing. You have the true MINI sprit.

 

Hey Finz up!

The tinted film is holding up very well with car washes & the humid weather in Singapore.

The only prep work that had to be done was just to wipe down the chrome line parts with a clean cloth, and simply stick the tinted film on.

Thanks for the compliment anyway, bro.
Being MINI is all about being unique, being "MINI"!

 

very impressive, looks great and i might steal that look from you.
i am very impressed by how long it have seemed to last you, thanks again!

 

Thanks for the info, 7876. Again, just awesome!

I am going to put it on Buzz. I'll send photos when he finished. Thanks again.
Rob