What to do about aftermarket "chrome" strips

T

theophile

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It looks like the previous owner put those aftermarket chrome strips on the rocker panels and the door pillars. I don't absolutely hate it, but I wouldn't have done this given the choice. The biggest thing that bothers me is that the lines don't flow because the chrome doesn't continue around the bumpers.

IMAG0150.jpg

I'm considering two very different options:

1. Remove it all. Biggest concern here is getting it all of cleanly. What adhesive is usually used on these? Should the old fishing line and Goo-Gone routine work here?

2. "Chrome" the rest of it. I searched on eBay but didn't find anyone selling these chrome pieces pre cut for the bottom lips of the bumpers. Is such a thing available?

IMAG0150.jpg
 
I would remove it, they're all put on with double sticky body tape, can be a pain to clean it all off, but it all should come off, just dont use anything to PRY them off, that could leave marks. a heat gun helps a lot too.


ive never seen any for the bumpers, they did make some for the wheel well edges.
 
When I bought my ls it had the chrome strips on the window pillars. They were on there with 3m double side adhesive strips. Took me about 2 hours to remove all 4. Didnt have a heat gun so I used a hair dryer to heat them up the best I could. Then I just peeled one end down and used vise grips to pull them the rest of the way off using goo gone on between. It left tons of adhesive on the car after getting them all the way off. I ended up having to use a razor blade with wd40 to get it all off. Being careful not to scratch the pillar. After they were off I just used some spray wax on them to shine them back up. One of the pillars was already scratched up which is probably why the previos owner put them on so im going to wetsand and paint them soon. But it was worth it. I hate the chrome strips on the pillars.
 
If you lived in a more snow prone area, I might be afraid they could hide rust but otherwise...is the area covered normally black? Can't tell from the picture.
 
voyeur said:
If you lived in a more snow prone area, I might be afraid they could hide rust but otherwise...is the area covered normally black? Can't tell from the picture.
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No snow. I live in Mississippi and until this week, the car has spent its entire life in Florida.

The door pillars would be black normally, and the rocker panels would be body color (silver).
 
you also have the option of plasti dipping the chrome parts with clear and making them more of a satin silver finish
 
Ghost_Ls8 said:
you also have the option of plasti dipping the chrome parts with clear and making them more of a satin silver finish
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Well that's an interesting idea. How durable is plastidip, and does it attract/retain dirt and grime?
 
its very durable if you put enough coats on it , my wheels and mirrors are dipped
 
My grille is dipped and gets hit by bugs and rocks all day and hasn't peeled or chipped at all. It's been dipped for about a year and looks the same as it did when it got done.
 
like what G Rell I havent noticed :) , theophile has a couple options , he can dip his pillars and chrome pieces with clear and make it a brushed aluminum or dip rims and trim anthracite grey for a two tone grey look
 
honestly I'd start with removing and see what it looks like underneath. I wont matter what you do to them, they'll still look out if place on the LS... Fishing line, Goo be gone, and some patience and you'll have them off in no time.
 
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G-RELL said:
honestly I'd start with removing and see what it looks like underneath. I wont matter what you do to them, they'll still look out if place on the LS... Fishing line, Goo be gone, and some patients and you'll have them off in no time.
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Is that who does the work? Just don't get the ones from Bellevue!! :p

As for patience, that is necessary!!!
 
it was way to early in the morning (and too long of a weekend) to be worried about that... (pre-coffee). Good to go now (and corrected...funny guy) :D
 
G-RELL;2037353148......and corrected...funny guy) :D[/QUOTE said:
We all have a role to fill :bowrofl::bowrofl: I just couldn't resist.....:p
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