After ordering my Chili Red JCW Convertible on 9/23 I searched out parts to
replace the chrome ones that will be coming with the car. They include:

Black Tail Light Rings (Ordered from Mini of Alexandria) - $124
Black headlight Rings (Ordered from Mini of Alexandria) - $130
Black Fuel Cap cover (Found on Ebay for $26)
Black Door Handle covers (Found on Ebay for $57 + $5 Ship) = $61
Black 'Carbon Fiber' Hood Scoop ((Ordered on Ebay) for $285 + $30 Ship =$315
*Black Painted Grille Surround (Custom Painted From England) - $153.57
*Part found at www.newministuff.co.uk
Note: The OEM Hood Scoop coming with the car is Red and not Chrome.

 

Outmotoring has the grill surround cover in gloss black for $100.

https://www.outmotoring.com/grill-tr...t-f56-blk.html

 

What Outmotoring is offering is a 'vinyl stick on', not an actually
painted 'hard' piece like the one I purchased.

 

Ordered the same painted grill surround. Since it is not powered coated it chipped badly so I ended up ordering the one from Outmotoring and have been happy ever since.

 

Powder coating the face of one part is not a problem but then you
would have to do the same for the black painted headlight and tail light
replacement surrounds as well. If your surround got chipped, why didn't
your head light surrounds get chipped as well? If your's are the 'chrome
looking' ones that came with the car I would expect them to be subjected
to the same problem your grille surround had. Mentioned this to a friend
who had his Mini surrounds painted a few years ago with no problem as
mentioned by you. Also, are you saying only your grille surround got chipped
but nothing similar happened on the other front facing parts of your car,
headlights, hood, bumper etc..?

 

What you are buying is a normal chrome grill painted black. So, when it chips they are more pronounced as the chrome shines through. The plastic cover is more resistant to chips. If your friend doesn't have the problem that is kewl. I am just imparting my experience.

The headlight surrounds from the factory are a lot more resistant to chips and are not painted chrome.

Yes, there are other chips on the front the car, but since they affect the painted parts from the factory they are not as noticeable.

 

If the worst occurs I can pop-the piece off, sand and spray it. I
believe there are cans of non-pebbly powder spray out there.
Another option my body-shop friend mentioned was for me to
carbon-fiber wrap the piece. That would have it match the hood
scoop I purchased.

 

If the paint job is done right and not just sprayed over top of the chrome there's no reason it shouldn't last. I had my body shop guy remove mine and paint it. he sanded it, used an etching primer and sprayed it with the color coat and clear coat. Over a year now and no dings.

 

Completely agree. All the chrome trim on a Mini is plastic to start with. Painting is not a problem if done the right way.


Also, the overall quality is for sure far better than just tape over.

 

Received the 'painted' one from www.newministuff.com and
brought it to my friend's body shop to install it. He mentioned
that it looked to have gone through a definite 'prep and paint'
process, that he considered a professional job. Perhaps 'New
Mini Stuff' has 'upped their game' with regard to their process.
I guess only time will tell, but for now I'm satisfied with it.