Alternative to Painting the Chrome (Pics)

KeatonMP

KeatonMP

New member
So ever since I got my Runner (about 2 months ago) I wanted to get rid of the chrome bumpers. I know painting metal, especially chrome, is a PITA, so I found something else thats better.

Vinyl

I think I've seem a post or two asking if anyones done this, so I decided to make a thread. Sorry, but I didn't take any pics of me in the process of putting it on...I was in a hurry to finish (not the best thing...applying it takes some serious patience) because it was 95 degrees and the sun was going down. I used about 20 feet of 18 in medium quality black vinyl. Had some strips left over so I decided to do the grill as well. Let me know if you have any questions about it. I really like the look alot better.

Pics:

Before


<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc315/keatonp12/?action=view&current=IMG_0123.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc315/keatonp12/IMG_0123.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc315/keatonp12/?action=view&current=IMG_0122.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc315/keatonp12/IMG_0122.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>



After


<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc315/keatonp12/?action=view&current=IMG_0207.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc315/keatonp12/IMG_0207.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc315/keatonp12/?action=view&current=IMG_0209.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc315/keatonp12/IMG_0209.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


A Couple More:


<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc315/keatonp12/?action=view&current=IMG_0210.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc315/keatonp12/IMG_0210.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc315/keatonp12/?action=view&current=IMG_0208.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc315/keatonp12/IMG_0208.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>



Let me know what you guys think!
 
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That turned out very nice. Yes painting was a pain. The vinyl will hold up to paint chips better too possibly
 
What exactly is that stuff and where did you get it? Is it self-adhesive? If not, how do you stick it on? Also, how did you do the rear step? That thing defies me. Paint just flakes off. I hate it. I want to......[breathes slowly]
 
whoa..this is a must do for me! got lotsa questions!

1: what is the product called
2: how much is it
3: is it hard to install?( how do you get around the round corners)
4: where can you get it
 
MillerPKA said:
i used krylon fusion on the chrome, about 10 light coats and its holding up perfectly...
Click to expand...

i was going to do something like this..but with OP method..we can always pull of this vinyl layer whenever we want. which is the option i like to have
 
Before I start answering these questions...y'all should check this out. This is where I got the idea:
wrapped my car - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum - E90Post.com

hmmm, interesting. looks good. got any closeups? is the vinyl totally smooth or are there creases?
Click to expand...

Thanks...And I don't right now...I'll put some up tomorrow. The trickiest part of applying it is the curved part of the bumpers(the tops) In order to prevent it from creasing you have to cut the vinyl into triangles and lay them on top of each other as you get to the top.

That turned out very nice. Yes painting was a pain. The vinyl will hold up to paint chips better too possibly
Click to expand...

Yes the vinyl is much more durable than flaky paint against rocks.


What exactly is that stuff and where did you get it? Is it self-adhesive? If not, how do you stick it on? Also, how did you do the rear step? That thing defies me. Paint just flakes off. I hate it. I want to......[breathes slowly]
Click to expand...

Yes it is self adhesive and flexes (for the most part) around the curves. The hardest part is the corners of the bumpers where it curves around and on top.

whoa..this is a must do for me! got lotsa questions!

1: what is the product called
2: how much is it
3: is it hard to install?( how do you get around the round corners)
4: where can you get it
Click to expand...

1. I actually used to work at a sign company (my very first job when I was 16) so I just asked my old boss if I could pay him 20 bucks for about 20 feet of the stuff (his cost is much less than that) and he ended up giving it to me so I really don't know the brand information. I know you can buy it on eBay and other places.
I guess I answered all your other questions earlier haha.


Keep asking and I'll try to answer as best I can. The BMW write up is better than mine though.
 
bak3rme said:
i was going to do something like this..but with OP method..we can always pull of this vinyl layer whenever we want. which is the option i like to have
Click to expand...
Yes, that's the other thing....if you get sick if it...peel it right off in about 2 min.
 
Very nice outcome..Makes me wanna have my extra oem paintable front bumper painted black now that I see what it looks like..you're patience paid off.
 
I like it! But...

...I would be interested in seeing how it looks after a few months, especially if you drive on dirt or gravel roads. Sun fading and/or chipping could change the look dramatically.

Would love to do my bumpers in flat black as well as all chrome emblems and badges. With the desert dune paint it would look great!
 
Moisture moisture moisture!

I love the look of it.I want to do something like that to mine but anything that u clad to those bumpers increases the odds of trapping moisture against the metal and we all know how well 4runner bumpers hold up to rusting.How did u seal around edges?It looks ****in awesome though from pics urs looks to be in way to good of shape to be sacrificing the bumpers.
 
I used the same material on a motorcycle helmet to put some matte decals over a gloss helmet. Needless to say it worked great.... for a while. The backing on the vinyl is good but nothing like a sticker. The corners will end up pealing just from normal wear and tear, not to mention weather. Good luck with the rock chips too. Rocks just ripped apart the decals on the helmet. If I am not mistaken, you can just pull the stuff apart. Just think what a rock is going to do at 70 mph.

It is a good alternative to painting but that stuff isn't made to be on the outside of a car exposed. I hope I am wrong but it won't last.

You can get the material at any shop who makes signs. It is not cheap for what you get.

If you want an idea of what it is like go to a craft store and buy contact paper. Similar concept but not as thick.
 
WrexHAmm said:
I used the same material on a motorcycle helmet to put some matte decals over a gloss helmet. Needless to say it worked great.... for a while. The backing on the vinyl is good but nothing like a sticker. The corners will end up pealing just from normal wear and tear, not to mention weather. Good luck with the rock chips too. Rocks just ripped apart the decals on the helmet. If I am not mistaken, you can just pull the stuff apart. Just think what a rock is going to do at 70 mph.

It is a good alternative to painting but that stuff isn't made to be on the outside of a car exposed. I hope I am wrong but it won't last.

You can get the material at any shop who makes signs. It is not cheap for what you get.

If you want an idea of what it is like go to a craft store and buy contact paper. Similar concept but not as thick.
Click to expand...
Well I live in Dallas so this thing doesn't see anything besides concrete except for a few times a year. It's thicker than you think. I think it should hold up for at least a couple years.
 
4ballin said:
I love the look of it.I want to do something like that to mine but anything that u clad to those bumpers increases the odds of trapping moisture against the metal and we all know how well 4runner bumpers hold up to rusting.How did u seal around edges?It looks ****in awesome though from pics urs looks to be in way to good of shape to be sacrificing the bumpers.
Click to expand...

Shouldn't be a problem on chromed bumpers unless your bumper is all rusted up in the first place.
 
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