So as I am lurking around for things to do when mine finally comes... just ordered it last weekend...so I have some time... (MCS Black 6M etc)

everyone seems to choose two methods to eliminate the chrome - either plasti-dip or wrap... Is there a reason why no one just repaint them black... ??

it appears that most people are taking the parts off - why not just get the scotch brite pad and scuff them up - primer them with the appropriate primer for plastic - a few coats of paint -clearcoat and done...

I have done some things in PD before and was happy with it... never done the wrap thing... but looks like $20 for a spray can (of Mini color) and $8 each for the primer and clear seem like a relatively cheap solution - and in my case I get color matched trim

am I missing something....
thoughts and opinions welcome

Gerry

 

You have a third option if you want to pay for it. MINI has introduced the Blackline kit. Which includes headlight surrounds and taillamp surrounds. Which are in color code 668 Black. I ordered these for my MCS.

I've toyed with both DP and spray paint but I'm never happy with the outcome with either.

 

Because some of us (i.e. me) cannot properly prime, paint, etc. anything if my life depended on it. For me I would have to go to a paint shop and have them done properly. I actually like the chrome window, light surrounds, gas cap and door handles... but the grill bothers me.

I want to black out my JCW grill surround at some point. I think I will get some 3M vinyl for when I (someday) also vinyl my MINI roof rack. With the vinyl if I screw up I just peel it off.

I have used PlastiDip for other items (not my car) and I don't think I would like the look of it on my car. I much prefer the raw black plastic colour (like the fenders) or a glossy paint (like the window pillars).

 

I painted my originals, they came out great but chipped after a while.

 

I'm looking into order the blackout pieces when they are available and then paint them with the body color (maybe myself). I actually just talked to an auto shop today, and they seemed really hesitant about painting chrome. They didn't flat out say that they wouldn't do it, but judging by their reaction, it might be a bad idea...

 

You could just keep the chrome the way it is.

 

INCONCEIVABLE!!! - Vizzini (Princess Bride)

 

vinyl/plastidip = REVERSIBLE

 

By all of the gods, WHY?

 

haha

 

I have debated all of my options, and I think this is my final call:

Grill surround- ordered replacement black piece

Head/tail light rings and gas cap- will soak in muratic acid to remove chrome finish and take to auto shop for painting body color (I ordered extra pieces, too scared to mess up). Big thanks to the forum users for the muratic acid tip!

Door handles- ordered cover-up pieces from outmotoring, will have body shop repaint with body color. May eventually paint actual handles if there are problems. Too much trouble for now.

Belt line- ordered blackout tape from outmotoring

Emblems- plastidip

My car arrives at the end of this week, so that's when I'll get started

 

Say "no to chrome". Kel, I did just as you plan. Tape for window trim, plastidip and or oem for other pieces. Still on the fence for the emblems.

 

Kel, I applaud your bravery vis-a-vis muratic acid and painting. I think that painting... quality painting, would be the best choice even though my vinyl is still pristine. I only worry that the parts are not actually the "chrome" of old but plastic. Please post pics of how it turns out! In the mean time, welcome to the dark side!!! Mwahahahahaha....

 

Melangell, I've seen your car elsewhere on the forum, and it looks really sharp!

I'm not as brave as you might think... first, I ordered extra parts because I am afraid of messing up the ones that come on the car. Second, it's a good thing I don't live in a neighborhood, because anyone who saw me handling the muratic acid would be laughing. It scares me. It smokes.

I also believe the trim is plastic with a chrome finish. My understanding is that, that is why it works. The acid doesn't react to the plastic (it's stored in plastic), but it will eat away at the chrome finish. Unfortunately, I don't have much to report yet. I wasn't sure what the water to muratic acid ratio should be, so I just kind of guessed at it. On Wednesday night, I filled the container with a shallow amount of water, added some acid (just poured some in, I don't know how much), and stirred it gently with the chrome piece before dropping it in. When I checked on it this morning, about 36 hours later, the chrome looked the same. So I poured in some more acid. I'll check it again tomorrow, and if it looks the same, I may just go with 100% acid :O

Also, there is still a question of whether or not my preferred body shop can paint them. Apparently the chrome scares them, so I'm just going to try to take the chrome off and take the plastic piece and see what they say.

I'm not sure if I want to try to paint them myself... maybe I'll let my husband take a shot at it if the body shop won't do it. He knows more about that sort of thing.

If this doesn't work--I'll contact Lyle for some vinyl wrapped rings

And yes, I will report with photos when I have something to show for my work.

 

Cool. Post some pics if you get a chance.

 

Thanks!



Ahhhh... Yes, it is plastic with a chrome finish. I had thought the acid would have turned it to goo. Chemistry was never my thing.

 

3M Di-Noc Vinyl ftw

 

I know that some mini owners out there might be a little reluctant to do the Plastidip thing to get rid of their chrome. But if you do not want the chrome look, Plastidip is the best way to go. It is the most inexpensive and it can easily be reversed if you do not like the results. I am in no way good at painting or anything like that but I Plastidipped my headlight trim pieces, taillight trim pieces, gas cap and side scuttles and they all came out looking pretty nice. Next I am going to do the upper and lower grill surround and the hood scoop. I am planning on getting either black jack, carbon fiber or just plain black door handles as I think the Plastidip will wear out on a part like the door handle since it is used so much.