I've got a new 05 Liquid Yellow MINI with a Black roof, mirrors and black tinted windows. I'd like to black out the chrome on the grill, head lights, rear lift panel and possibly the door handles. I'm not sure if the parts are steel or chrome plated plastic. I was told by a body shop that paint probably wouldn't stick very well and if they're not metal they can't be powder coated. Has anyone done this yet, or do any of you have any ideas.

Jayme

 

here's an image from some where on the boards...I thnk it's photoshoped but still

for a body shop to say that they obviously aren't very good...all the parts simply have to be sanded and then painted...where are you located...I have a very good friend who owns a shop....works mostly on very high ends stuff...I.E. astons, 355s etc

 

Currently there is no known durable method to paint over chrome without removing the top layer of chrome by sanding or chemical stripping. I think many of us can remember seeing the Euro-style cars back in the 70s where they tried to black out the chrome. The end result was peeling and pitting.

I work for a large chrome plater and we recently introduced a new process to paint over chrome but it is way too expensive to be done in the aftermarket or on small volume jobs. Maybe one day the technology will trickle down.

 

if you want the grill to be black as well, i'd highly recommend the aero grills. i would think it'd be cheaper than painting.

 

The best solution for the black grill is to buy the grill slats primered from the dealer and have them painted black. You won't be painting over chrome and will have the same finsh as an 'S'. Here's mine.

 

I agree with wraith, it is $51.25 exactly (yes i did look this up) for the bonnet grill. And if you want to black the bumper grills it is 37 for the top one and 44 for the bottom one.

 

that and it looks really really sweet! much better than paint IMHO

 

As you probably know, the lower Aero grill is very difficult to fit. And many members have reported it chipping as well.

 

I had a yellow GTI and had all the trim painted gloss black. It looked excellent.

 

i did the aero grill . if i can do it anyone can.

plenty of how-too's out there. dremel tool,hot glue gun,
&think it out. look"s great.
doug

 

That image is a photoshop i did a while ago for a buddy who is getting his car done that way.

the best option for black slats is actually....drum rolllll....vinyl. As you all know, the slats take quite a beating from rocks and stones. If you get the good 3M stuff, the chip number will be far less. The process would be far easier then painting too . the same can be done to the chrome strip around the lower portion of the windows....just tape that guy up with some black...or yellow for that matter. I guess even the headlight surrounds could be done in black vinyl...or yellow, but maybe getting it cut out and into the creases would be a bit harder. Worth a try i guess...and it couldnt hurt because it would only be temporary.


here is mine in black :smile:

 

plastic chipping? Its not painted

 

When yall refer to the lower aero grill, which lower piece are you referring to?
Is it the $37 small one at the top of the bumper or the $44 big mesh one on the low part of the bumper?

I want to replace the bonnet grille and the upper bumper one but if the upper bumper requires custom fitting I'll have to pay someone to do it.

Thanks

 

they are reffering to the small one at the top

 

Thanks for getting back to me. I'm just West of Denver Colorado.


Jayme

 

The bottom Aero grill IS a little tricky and time consuming, but I like the look better than the black slat solution.