Gotta get rid of the chrome!

[JNasty]

It's been bugging me for a while now. I gotta get rid of the chrome! I thought I'd start with debadging. Then with the Westin tube steps. Should I bother painting them or just ditch 'em and buy black ones? Then there's the grill. Can you paint over the chrome plastic? Then the silver rockers, paint or Line X? What to do?

 

[Matt400]

Then there's the grill. Can you paint over the chrome plastic?

Dunno about that but what I did was install an 03 Laramie Grill. They are the only ones with the grill frame painted body color and just the center part is chrome. Toned the big nose down some IMO.

#ad

 

[JVolpe]

I bought blacked out headlights, tail lights off ebay and painted the outer part of third brake light, bought black grille off ebay. Did DIY Herculiner on the chrome front bumper, chrome rear bumper and Dodge chrome nerf bars. I wanted a new "Back to BlacK" look, all turned out pretty good and I am very happy with the new look.



#ad




#ad

 

[231jasonS]

Yes you can paint the chrome, just need good prep and an adhesion promoter like "buldog"





before

#ad


after

#ad

 

[JNasty]

Nice! Thanks for the pictures.

I can't believe the chrome bumpers take paint.

JVolpe how's the Herculiner holding up. Did you use an adhesion promoter like buldog or did you just rough up the chrome?

 

[JVolpe]

Nice! Thanks for the pictures.

I can't believe the chrome bumpers take paint.

JVolpe how's the Herculiner holding up. Did you use an adhesion promoter like buldog or did you just rough up the chrome?

Its only been on for about 5 months now, but is holding up very well. Preping chrome is a PITA! I removed the bumpers and nerf bars completely. Stripped everything off and used a grinder to scuff every inch of the chrome to prepare for the Herculiner. That took half a day at least for each bumper and the nerf bars. Then I just used the recommended solvent and Herculiner instructions. Only time will tell how it will hold up, but so far so good.



Rear Bumper Prepped:



#ad




Front Bumper Prepped:



#ad

 

[hearingyourlies]

hey 231 jason ... are those stock rims powdercoated?

 

[231jasonS]

hey 231 jason ... are those stock rims powdercoated?

No kyrlon "hammertone" and clear over top. Holding up well for almost 2 yrs now. Needs a little touch up around the lugs where they've been impacted on and off, chipping the paint.

 

[AKaiser]

To each his own. I'll keep my chrome. It's like the difference between a KW T600 and a classic Pete 359.

 

[JNasty]

No kyrlon "hammertone" and clear over top.

I used gloss black lacquer on my Jeep Rubicon wheels and they came out nice, held up well to.

 

[JNasty]

To each his own. I'll keep my chrome. It's like the difference between a KW T600 and a classic Pete 359.

Well when buying a used vehicle color and trim aren't my top priorities. Those things can be altered if desired.

As for your comparison between a KW T600 and a classic Pete359

 

[MABurns]

Debadged and then later reapplied the 2001 Sport Decals.



#ad




#ad

 

[Tinman]

I to do not like chrome. I had the bumpers Line-X'd. The Line-X place said they'd do it, but couldn't garrentee it won't come off. So far, it's doing fine. Front is about 4-5 months old. As stated above, prep is the key. The chrome grille can be painted but it takes a special product. Problem is, it will peel and bubble in a few years anyway. A basic black grille painted is a better option IMO.

 

[nickleinonen]

i debadged my truck long ago. . the only chrome i have left is the dodge badge on the grill & bug deflector and the antenna is kinda shiny too [fuel door is aluminum, but that is going to get black paint as there is now salt etching under the clear ]... everything else is now body color or black. the grill inserts i swapped out my sport ones for a standard slt honeycomb one

-


[cool. my 5k post... ]

 

[AKaiser]

Well when buying a used vehicle color and trim aren't my top priorities. Those things can be altered if desired.

As for your comparison between a KW T600 and a classic Pete359

Kenworth T600, not much chrome. Peterbilt 359, tons of chrome.

 

[BGuilty]

go to lmctruck.com and order the catalog and they have the black grills with no badge