possibility of chrome window trims?
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The "chrome" trim is just plasticky chrome looking junk. I plasti-dipped mine with Smoke to get rid of it, so it looks like brushed aluminum now. It was either that, or go with black.
And as noted, it's not easy to change. It practically involves bodywork.
And as noted, it's not easy to change. It practically involves bodywork.
Any chance of seeing a photo? I like this idea.
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I'll grab one when I clean the car this weekend. I won't lie, though....it was a pain in the buttocks to do. Not hard, just really time consuming.
Yes, I was thinking all the masking would take ages. Thanks for the image when it comes!
Did the dip peel around the trim naturally?
As you may recall I have done a lot of dipping, and I know exactly how smoke dip looks over chrome, but I have hesitated trying to dip the chrome window surround due to it not appearing to have much of a gap to create an edge for the dip...
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Here you go...not the easiest thing to capture in photos (and ignore the CVS sign reflected in the windows. As noted, it is a pain in the rump and takes a lot of time to peel the residue off. Some areas required a little "help" with a blade to get the edge you need to peel. 4 coats, btw
That is four coats of smoke? Must be very thin coats... barely looks dark at all...
No wonder you found it hard to clean up/peel, that's just too thin. If you don't want it darker than this I would say do four layers of smoke, and then another four of clear plastidip, you will find it much easier to peel/cleanup and also more durable over time. I would want a darker look so I'll probably just do 8+ coats of smoke. How many cans did you need to do four coats?
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While I thank the resident expert for chiming in, I'll repeat myself on a few points and clarify a few others.
It doesn't photograph well, period. You have to see it in person.
It wasn't difficult to peel because of the "light coats", which they weren't. It was a pain because of how much surface area you had to peel off AND the rubber window trim gaskets not releasing the dip as easily as glass or paint would.
It was also a pain because of the large masking area and large spray area (you want to do all the trim on one side of the car at the same time).
It took a long time due to that large area and wait time between coats.
I didn't want clear on it, and didn't want to do 8 coats of dip. period. That would've taken too long and I got the results I desired. I didn't want it "dark", I wanted it "less chromed", like my tailgate badges. It gives it a brushed aluminum look, which is what I wanted.
Again, it cannot be captured in photos.
Sorry for the rant, but I've been dipping a lot of stuff lately, and I think I've got the process down pretty well.
It doesn't photograph well, period. You have to see it in person.
It wasn't difficult to peel because of the "light coats", which they weren't. It was a pain because of how much surface area you had to peel off AND the rubber window trim gaskets not releasing the dip as easily as glass or paint would.
It was also a pain because of the large masking area and large spray area (you want to do all the trim on one side of the car at the same time).
It took a long time due to that large area and wait time between coats.
I didn't want clear on it, and didn't want to do 8 coats of dip. period. That would've taken too long and I got the results I desired. I didn't want it "dark", I wanted it "less chromed", like my tailgate badges. It gives it a brushed aluminum look, which is what I wanted.
Again, it cannot be captured in photos.
Sorry for the rant, but I've been dipping a lot of stuff lately, and I think I've got the process down pretty well.
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20 minutes between coats, went into a 3rd can between both sides (didn't want to dredge up the bottom of the 2nd can as the last coat on the passenger side).
Keep in mind, that trim is actually plastic and has a very strange finish to it.
I am waiting on my R-design mirror covers to in today, and was hoping to do the same thing. But I think the finish on those is different than the window trim. At least dip is easy to remove if you don't like it.
Keep in mind, that trim is actually plastic and has a very strange finish to it.
I am waiting on my R-design mirror covers to in today, and was hoping to do the same thing. But I think the finish on those is different than the window trim. At least dip is easy to remove if you don't like it.
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This is really funny... I have black aluminum trim on my '10 V70 RD and I would prefer chrome or brushed aluminum. The black aluminum gets some discoloration from the sun (?) and weathering I guess, almost looks like oil stains (it's not). But they should have chosen brushed aluminum trim to match the roof rails, mirror caps, and grille trim... Ah well. The smoked chrome trim looks really good though that T5 for Life did, that would match the trim on my car really well, but no way I'm going through that Phuck-It-Up-Myself project....
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It's not hard, just really time consuming. Good thing is, it's totally reversible...just peel it off if you don't like it!
I've often wondered why they have 400 different types of "metal-looking" trim on these cars, particularly the XC70. The window trim is different than the fog light/rear reflector trim, which is different from the lower front lip and rear bumper pieces, which is different from the front grille. If it was all the same, it would be easier to customize, imho.
I've often wondered why they have 400 different types of "metal-looking" trim on these cars, particularly the XC70. The window trim is different than the fog light/rear reflector trim, which is different from the lower front lip and rear bumper pieces, which is different from the front grille. If it was all the same, it would be easier to customize, imho.
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