When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Got hit by some debris that fell off another vehicle on my way home from work. Fortunately I had PPF, so most of my paint was protected. But the lower plastic trim on my front bumper did get damaged and that part needs to be replaced.
Figured I’d make the most of this repair and am considering painting the plastic trim in gloss black like in these pictures. One on hand, I kind of like the gloss black, on the other maybe the matte gives my car some contrast to my already gloss black car. Thoughts?
Last edited by Aaron Bui; May 17, 2025 at 12:01 AM.
Got hit by some debris that fell off another vehicle on my way home from work. Fortunately I had PPF, so most of my paint was protected. But the lower plastic trim on my front bumper did get damaged and that part needs to be replaced.
Figured I’d make the most of this repair and am considering painting the plastic trim in gloss black like in these pictures. One on hand, I kind of like the gloss black, on the other maybe the matte gives my car some contrast to my already gloss black car. Thoughts?
this is one of those subjective questions with no right or wrong answers but personally id leave it as matte to have some contrast
If everything else is gloss black, I wouldn't try to get creative and do a matte black. It will just look dull (aka dirty) in comparison.
Just my 0.02 😊
Your post just got me thinking too…maybe ill wrap those plastic trim pieces in satin black as well to match my lower bumper which I also wrapped to get more of that ‘open mouth’ look
Your post just got me thinking too…maybe ill wrap those plastic trim pieces in satin black as well to match my lower bumper which I also wrapped to get more of that ‘open mouth’ look
The customization really never ends
Another point to consider if you paint it gloss, you can also PPF and ceramic coat it. Which will protect more against rock chips and stuff. There's a lot of potential benefits.
Nowadays, STEK also has matte PPF. Which is the same as clear PPF, but in the form of a wrap. Much better than vinyl.
Another point to consider if you paint it gloss, you can also PPF and ceramic coat it. Which will protect more against rock chips and stuff. There's a lot of potential benefits.
Nowadays, STEK also has matte PPF. Which is the same as clear PPF, but in the form of a wrap. Much better than vinyl.
I had a similar situation where an object on freeway hit my front left (see pictures). I had Merc replace the black piece (about 800 incl labor) but you can see the paint is scratched. I have called numerous wrap and custom shops to see if I could put some type of carbon fiber wrap or other ideas. Apparently wrap won't adhere to plastic. I could get it painted but matte paint is very expensive and if I have to paint I would look at doing the entire grille area. Any other ideas??
I had a similar situation where an object on freeway hit my front left (see pictures). I had Merc replace the black piece (about 800 incl labor) but you can see the paint is scratched. I have called numerous wrap and custom shops to see if I could put some type of carbon fiber wrap or other ideas. Apparently wrap won't adhere to plastic. I could get it painted but matte paint is very expensive and if I have to paint I would look at doing the entire grille area. Any other ideas??
Also, per comments on this post you can see my PPF is bubbling from rock chips. So not sure if it is really that helpful.
Also, per comments on this post you can see my PPF is bubbling from rock chips. So not sure if it is really that helpful.
My objective with PPF is to be able to remove the PPF at some future date and have no damage to the finish below. If it does that, then it's done it's job. If it shows PPF damage in the interim, I'm OK with that.
When I applied the PPF to our cars, I applied a double layer in the areas that take an extra beating from road rocks (front splitter, lower areas behind wheels, etc.) with the idea that I could peel off the top/sacrificial layer and replace it, once the PPF became too pock-marked. After a few years, some of it's "gettin' there."
It's interesting to note that our C43's engine-hood sustained a couple of dents from (dashcam-vislble) rocks flying off a dump truck on the highway. The PPF was torn but, when I removed it, I found the paint was undamaged. That enabled me to get a "paintless dent repair" (and re-PPF the hood), thus retaining the OEM paint. So much better than any sand/fill/prep/paint type of body repair. It was also geek-level interesting to talk with the guy doing the dent "push-out" (I used one that comes to you). In the end, it was also much cheaper than the more traditional repair.
I had a similar situation where an object on freeway hit my front left (see pictures). I had Merc replace the black piece (about 800 incl labor) but you can see the paint is scratched. I have called numerous wrap and custom shops to see if I could put some type of carbon fiber wrap or other ideas. Apparently wrap won't adhere to plastic. I could get it painted but matte paint is very expensive and if I have to paint I would look at doing the entire grille area. Any other ideas??
The paint on your car is actually just plastic. I had my lower gloss black trim ppf'd. It can absolutely be done. Yes there are differences between ppf and wrap but they both can be used on plastic.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
