Blacking Out Window Trim???
 

My dad just got a 74 911 and is thinking about blacking out the window trim. Has anyone done this on one of these years?

I'm guessing the side window trim could be powdercoated, right?

What about the front and rear windscreens? Do they need to be changed to the SC trim?


Thanks-
Craig Backer

Before any purists reply, I should note the car was purchased with flag mirrors and color keyed headlight trim rings.

Craig Backer

Hey Craig!

One of the POs of my '74 911 went to the trouble of having all the anodized aluminum trim powder-coated matt black. According to the receipts that came with the car, the powder-coating was done in 1992 and it still looks perfect today so it is obviously a very durable coating.

http://members.aol.com/darryld/brashot.jpg

My old '82 911 SC had the factory-applied black annodized finish on the window frames and it was wearing to an almost brown tone in many areas when I sold it in '97.

I'd go with powder-coating if I was in your position.

NOOO!!! don't do it. The chrome trim will grow on you and you will love it. Just give it a chance (my two cents). There are many mid year pics here just take a look... Yes, all the trim can be removed and powdercoated.

Craig, it's your car, so do what you want. If your blacking out of the trim has you removing it from the car, I'd suggest you look into buying black trim and selling off your annodized Al trim. It may reduce your costs and make the early trim available for someone else's project. Good luck with your project. :)

I cleaned mine up and clear coated it, then I saw a car exactly like mine, but with black trim. I really wish I had done mine in black.

I agree with most here, don't do it! These early cars have great character. Don't do something you'll regret later.

This is like taking a Marylin Monroe subway picture and adding leg warmers and flashdance music. Ugh!

I agree with Doug and Bill (btw, nice analogy 72Doug!). I had an 80SC for many years and always wanted to do the reverse procedure. I ended up trading the SC for a 70T and honestly the chrome was a major aesthetic draw for me on the early cars.

What are your own thoughts, Craig? Do you think your Dad should keep the Chrome? I sure think he should keep it. Got any pics of the car as it currently looks?

I think the blackout trim option is good depending on the color of the car. Usually a lighter shade car looks better with black trim. I primed and painted mine myself while restoring my 71 E and love it.

Side question,

What if you have black trim already and it is fading? For example the front windshield and rear window trim are fading in some areas. Is there anyway to touch these up without removing them?

Craig,
Im looking for chrome trim for my SC project so If your dad decides to go with black trim, maybe we could trade?

Gus

could we talk about trading? i am local!

I can't read Craig's comments, my eye's keep moving off to the left...

Clever comment about Marilyn Monroe in Flashdance garb but black trim was stock on the '74 Carrera. Have you guys taken a close look at 30+ year annodized aluminum trim lately? Most that I've seen is blotchy, reflects the colors of the rainbow in sunlight, and looks extremely tired and in need of re-plating when placed on new rubber and next to fresh paint.

I would think black powdercoating would be an excellent way to freshen-up the the car on a budget. You can always have the powdercoat stripped and re-plated with chrome at some point in the future, when the marketplace sees mid-year cars for the jewels they really are. :cool:

My father and I came to the conclusion that the car would look good in black trim together.

The anodized aluminum (or chrome) trim is loosing it's shine in places. We thought the car would look better blacked out since it's already been somewhat basterdised with flag mirrors, painted headlight trim rings and an 83 3.0.

I'm still wondering what others who have done the same have done for the front and rear windscreens. Do you paint the chrome piece black or replace it with an SC seal?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1138130128.jpg


Thanks-
Craig Backer

Craig,

I had my front and rear window trim painted black when I had the whole car repainted. I sort of went the hybrid route, painted the front and rear window trim, but left the side windows as chrome, as well as the headlight rings and door handles. The main reason I did it this way is because the chrome was in such good shape, seemed a shame to paint over it. My car is a 77, light metallic 'seafoam' green in color, so the black really goes well against it. I notice you already have black door handles, so you are on the way to black anyway. I also got black-centered fuchs for it. For your red car, black or chrome both look good. Personally, I kind of like the chrome with the red.
Back to the paint on the front/rear window trim, I am not sure what he used, but it has held up well so far. It is more of a satin black, not gloss or flat.
Good luck,
Craig

I went with the later all black seals.
No leaks....and looks good..(my opinion...only one that counts).
Bob

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1138147730.jpg http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1138147879.jpg

fastbacker,

as you can see you will get alot of different opinions on what looks better, i think that you should get whatever you like the best, i happen to like the black, soooo on my 74 coupe, i went black.

i have seen alot of stunning early cars that have the chrome, at the end of the day, its your car to drive, get what you like.