Chrome window trim look from faded black trim

e-speedster · 02-11-2008, 02:53 AM

Now when I bought this car

it sure looks like it has chrome trim from the pictures - but it is actually faded or "worn down" black trim

Do I have an option on the excisting trim or do I have to change them all?

Is there some kind of product I could use and how bright can it be compared to chrome?

What tools to use( power drill with cloth etc)? Do I have to remove them before a "makeover"

Thanx

jwhcars · 02-11-2008, 03:42 AM

I would respray the trim black. You can buff the trim but it will not be as bright as chrome.

RoninLB · 02-11-2008, 05:14 AM

my anodized trim faded to a brushed aluminum look.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Lose the black trim on a black car. The chrome accents look 100X nicer.

I'm did this on my car. This thread is from a while back:

Targa Progress Pics #1 - "un-pimping" the window trim

(Since I posted that, I changed the headlight surrounds, the targa bar (got rid of the fugly painted one) and the windshield/rear window trim pieces to chrome. The car looks about a thousand times better now - and improving daily. Trust me - go with the chrome.

Here's a discussion about it:

Black look, Chrome look

Personally on a darker-color car I hate the black trim. The chrome looks a lot "classier" and creates a nice accent line at the transition point, whereas a black line tends to "blur" the transition more. Just my $0.02.

dtw · 02-11-2008, 06:13 AM

The trim can be stripped and re-finished using the bright-dip anodizing process (the aluminum bits are bright-dipped, not chromed). Not sure in your area, but here in the US Ano-Brite did this for me on several pieces and you'd never know they used to be black.

khamul02 · khamul02's Garage

Why not pull the trim and polish it. It will look good and should last a long time.

jmz · jmz's Garage

I like the faded Patina. I'd leave it.

oregonmon · oregonmon's Garage

I don't think my trim was ever chrome, more a brushed aluminum. But vertical pieces on the rear quarter windows has turn pretty black. Is this what you are trying to fix also. I was wondering what the fix was for this too.
Or are you saying it was originally black now chrome. If so that's odd, but with your car I like the metal look especially with the polished Fuchs.
Would metal polish work to brighten up the black pieces?
Not trying to hijack.

RoninLB · 02-11-2008, 12:48 PM

[QUOTE=oregonmon;3762051]

I don't think my trim was ever chrome, more a brushed aluminum. QUOTE]

youre pics looks just like what happened to my anodized trim. Same faded shade also but different trim pieces.

e-speedster · 02-12-2008, 02:46 AM

This is more or less what mine looks like too - I'll try to take a few pics. I would certainly go for the brighter polished look yes

looks good with the dark color

Now - is this more or less the same polish route as doing the Fuchs like the ones I have, that are polished and not chromed?

I do have some Mother's wheel polish products at home.......

khamul02 · khamul02's Garage

I think the polished look would be very close to chrome. If you wanted to get it back Black you can just send it off to have it anodized again. I think the process would be very cheap.