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Dechrome or not to Dechrome
Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 10:36 am
by J-MoNeY
I have come to realize that the chrome thing was kind of early 90's and late 80's. I very much dislike it not matching anything else on the car, yet I am not sure if it will look good with it gone. Has anyone done this or have pics of what it looks like?
Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 12:28 pm
by scottzg
I electrical taped it off. Ill do something more permanent when the electrical tape goes, but its been there a while now....
Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 1:59 pm
by 90LegAWD
uck.... ghetto
no chrome definitely! color match everything, that's what i'll be doing when my BF get's repainted.
Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 2:41 pm
by legacy92ej22t
I say do it. It has been done by a few members already and I'm pretty sure there is a few different threads, with pics, that'll come up with a search.
Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 7:23 pm
by Legacy777
I've seen one with the black trim painted, but left the chrome strip....it actually looks pretty good.
If I keep the car long enough I'd like to have it repainted. I think painting the door handles and the black wrap around trim would look good. I haven't decided about that chrome strip. Or the mirrors, since they're up in the "black" area around the windows. I'd probably just leave that all black like it is now.
Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 8:01 pm
by professor
I'll be painting the chrome black in the strip shortly. I've seen the pics and I definitely think it looks better blacked out.
The chrome door handles look like crap as well, but I'm loathe to touch then, as durability may be an issue, and painting them well would take some time and effort.
I agree that the black mirrors look fine.
I like to use Krylon semi-flat black, it sprays really well and is pretty durable. Better by far than flat. Roughing up the chromea bit with a 3M scuff pad would be a good idea.
Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 10:54 pm
by J-MoNeY
Currently I'm in the process of painting it all back. I'll post pics for comments soon.
Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 11:03 pm
by snowboarded
I'll be dechroming mine in spring. My freinds dad does striping, so I think I will go that route and have him stripe it black. If it doesn't turn out good, I had it done for dirt cheap and I can always redo it.
Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2004 12:47 am
by J-MoNeY
Well I did one side with pleasing results. Sorry for the size of the pic. What I did was skuff it up, tape off everything including the window moldings, trim around the doors and the plastic around the top of the windows. I then primed it, shot it and you see the resluts sort of. I'll get more pics when I do the rest + the wheels.

Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2004 1:38 am
by QuickDrive
I used moulding tape... basically a thick pinstriping.. Looks the same as the painting, and It was simple to do.
Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2004 1:41 am
by scottzg
QuickDrive wrote:I used moulding tape... basically a thick pinstriping.. Looks the same as the painting, and It was simple to do.
uck... ghetto...

Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2004 9:40 am
by AWD_addict
I did some crappy pic edits to see what my car would look like without gratuidous chrome.
and those handles?
and what if the grille was the same color as the center part, or body color? (look at the bottom of it)

Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2004 5:59 pm
by eastbaysubaru
Addict, I think you'd need to do the chrome below the windows to make it look really good. Like This:
http://www.thawa.net/gallery/albums/pan ... ed_out.jpg
I like the look a lot and have also been considering it. That pic above just reinforces how good it looks.
-Brian
Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2004 9:37 pm
by AWD_addict
Brian, I totally agree. If I did the lower strip, the window strip would be a must.
I included each version to make it a better "what if?"
Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2004 5:35 am
by J-MoNeY
Well, I finally finished dechroming my car. I pretty much de blinged it totally. Here's a crappy night shot, I'll post more tomorrow weather permitting in the picture forum.
To those who are thinking about doing this. Do it.