Chrome side Molding... removable?
11-19-2011, 07:48 PM
#26
I know this an old thread but I am considering doing this. We have a luxury that has the chrome around the front and rear bumper so the angled chrome on the side REALLY wedges the car. I just ran black electrical tape over side molding to see what it would look like
And I think it looks much better. Leave chrome around front bumper and rear bumper. What do u all think? Also, when removed is any residue
Left or any damage to paint? Second question. If u take it off and 'get in trouble', can it be put back on?
And I think it looks much better. Leave chrome around front bumper and rear bumper. What do u all think? Also, when removed is any residue
Left or any damage to paint? Second question. If u take it off and 'get in trouble', can it be put back on?
11-19-2011, 08:11 PM
#27
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
I would definitely NOT take off the side piece and leave the rear and front chrome pieces. IMO it'll look ridiculous and imbalanced. If you want to de-chrome it a bit, I'd just black wrap over the side, rear, and front chrome pieces instead.
11-19-2011, 08:17 PM
#28
There are a lot of cars out there with chrome on either front or back, but I agree, having the chrome trim painted black or replacing chrome with black trim would be
Better. Any idea how to a accomplish this?
Better. Any idea how to a accomplish this?
11-19-2011, 08:24 PM
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Vinyl wrap (gloss or flat) black. You can order some yourself, for cheap (not sure of where to order from), or you can pay a more and have someone local do it for you (I'm sure there are stocker/graphic/wrap Shops around. A lot of people have wrapped little things like that easily, but I could see myself screwing it up still.
11-19-2011, 09:24 PM
#30
Honestly... I don't think removing it and having the bumper chrome is any big deal. I'm sure there are cars out there of varying mfgs. that have a chrome bumper trim and no body side moldings... I think. 
11-21-2011, 11:48 AM
#31
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2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
Personally, I much prefer the trim on the sides, front and rear of my Luxury model. Makes it "pop" more when you see it. Also adds to the "prestige" factor. However, its a personal decision.
BTW, it is not chrome-it's stainless steel. Only chrome on the cars is the exhaust tips. All the other shiny parts are stainless steel. What we refer to as chrome on may 1950's and later cars was actually stainless steel.
BTW, it is not chrome-it's stainless steel. Only chrome on the cars is the exhaust tips. All the other shiny parts are stainless steel. What we refer to as chrome on may 1950's and later cars was actually stainless steel.
11-21-2011, 12:52 PM
#32
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MY17 E43 Matte Selenite/Macchiato Beige, MY16 GLE350d Tenorite/Crystal Grey, MY17 B250
It is certainly not stainless steel! It is plastic coated in a chrome-like finish.
11-21-2011, 01:37 PM
#33
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Yes, it is definitely chrome coated plastic. I took mine off, its light cheap plastic. The only thing chrome, that may be metal on the car, are the tips. Oh, and the hood ornament.
11-21-2011, 04:03 PM
#34
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LOL, my wifes Edge is COVERED in that plasti-chrome........so is mine I guess
11-21-2011, 05:20 PM
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2011 E350
^^why you paint, when you can use vinyl tape to cover it to get the same result.
Front grill, I can understand painting it, but side molding and rear piece can be easily cover with vinyl/tape.
Front grill, I can understand painting it, but side molding and rear piece can be easily cover with vinyl/tape.
11-21-2011, 05:31 PM
#37
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Current: 2011 W212 Previous: 2008 W211 2006 550 2001 Rover 1997 W210
Took them off since day one of ownership. Looks cleaner IMO.
You can check out the pics of my ride from the link in my sig.
You can check out the pics of my ride from the link in my sig.
11-21-2011, 07:58 PM
#39
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2011 E350 / 2009 911 Track Car
Paint is the way to go. I wouldn't waste my time with the wrap
I also bought a spare set of OEM headlamp housings which I'm going to bake and open up. Once this is done, I'm going to spray the inside ( chrome ) housings glossy black. Boy this is going to be a great project.
Last edited by JBellz; 11-21-2011 at 08:01 PM.
11-21-2011, 07:59 PM
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12-01-2013, 08:42 PM
#43
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2014 Mercedes E350 Coupe
Removed Side Molding, But........
Just purchased a 2014 E350 Coupe. It's has the sport package, but came with the chrome side moldings. I managed to remove it from the sides fairly easily since it was just double taped on.
However, when I got to the small piece on the back bumper, it felt a bit more stubborn. I can't tell if its because it's taped on plastic rather than metal or it's attached some other way.
Anyone have an idea of how it's attached before, I attempt to pry it off?
However, when I got to the small piece on the back bumper, it felt a bit more stubborn. I can't tell if its because it's taped on plastic rather than metal or it's attached some other way.
Anyone have an idea of how it's attached before, I attempt to pry it off?
10-28-2015, 02:51 PM
#44
I just finished doing this on my wagon. Easy job using simple household tools (wrong tools = pita)
1. Fishing line (floss works, but will break a lot)
2. Gloves so the line doesn't strangle your fingers and for grip
3. Goof-off or Goo-gone (this does most of the work on the tape residue)
4. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (much better than microfiber for this job)
Attack the strip while dry. Don't spray or wet the area. Or the line won't have friction to cut the double tape.
Use a long line to saw the tape off using long smooth motion. Longer line and motion will cut through the tape with less breaking.
Peel off the chrome strip.
Spray/apply the goo-gone (adhesive remover) directly to the tape residue.
Go relax for a few minutes.
Wipe off the extra goo-gone.
Use the magic eraser to rub off the tape residue. (Magic eraser is super grippy and peels the tape off easily). A towel works too, but will take more time and force.
Perfect results. Happy to see more sculpted lines!
1. Fishing line (floss works, but will break a lot)
2. Gloves so the line doesn't strangle your fingers and for grip
3. Goof-off or Goo-gone (this does most of the work on the tape residue)
4. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (much better than microfiber for this job)
Attack the strip while dry. Don't spray or wet the area. Or the line won't have friction to cut the double tape.
Use a long line to saw the tape off using long smooth motion. Longer line and motion will cut through the tape with less breaking.
Peel off the chrome strip.
Spray/apply the goo-gone (adhesive remover) directly to the tape residue.
Go relax for a few minutes.
Wipe off the extra goo-gone.
Use the magic eraser to rub off the tape residue. (Magic eraser is super grippy and peels the tape off easily). A towel works too, but will take more time and force.
Perfect results. Happy to see more sculpted lines!
Last edited by Wookii; 10-28-2015 at 02:54 PM.
11-01-2015, 10:12 PM
#45
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MB W212, MB W218, BMW F06, BMW F48
I just finished doing this on my wagon. Easy job using simple household tools (wrong tools = pita)
1. Fishing line (floss works, but will break a lot)
2. Gloves so the line doesn't strangle your fingers and for grip
3. Goof-off or Goo-gone (this does most of the work on the tape residue)
4. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (much better than microfiber for this job)
Attack the strip while dry. Don't spray or wet the area. Or the line won't have friction to cut the double tape.
Use a long line to saw the tape off using long smooth motion. Longer line and motion will cut through the tape with less breaking.
Peel off the chrome strip.
Spray/apply the goo-gone (adhesive remover) directly to the tape residue.
Go relax for a few minutes.
Wipe off the extra goo-gone.
Use the magic eraser to rub off the tape residue. (Magic eraser is super grippy and peels the tape off easily). A towel works too, but will take more time and force.
Perfect results. Happy to see more sculpted lines!
1. Fishing line (floss works, but will break a lot)
2. Gloves so the line doesn't strangle your fingers and for grip
3. Goof-off or Goo-gone (this does most of the work on the tape residue)
4. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (much better than microfiber for this job)
Attack the strip while dry. Don't spray or wet the area. Or the line won't have friction to cut the double tape.
Use a long line to saw the tape off using long smooth motion. Longer line and motion will cut through the tape with less breaking.
Peel off the chrome strip.
Spray/apply the goo-gone (adhesive remover) directly to the tape residue.
Go relax for a few minutes.
Wipe off the extra goo-gone.
Use the magic eraser to rub off the tape residue. (Magic eraser is super grippy and peels the tape off easily). A towel works too, but will take more time and force.
Perfect results. Happy to see more sculpted lines!
11-01-2015, 11:23 PM
#46
First side about 15 min. because I did a section at a time. The other side 10 min. because I did all sections at once. Its pretty easy as long as you have strong fishing line and that magic eraser. Cut through the tape and let the adhesive remover do the work. You don't want to rush through anything that involves rubbing onto the paint. So take your time. The results are worth it.
11-02-2015, 04:18 PM
#47
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First side about 15 min. because I did a section at a time. The other side 10 min. because I did all sections at once. Its pretty easy as long as you have strong fishing line and that magic eraser. Cut through the tape and let the adhesive remover do the work. You don't want to rush through anything that involves rubbing onto the paint. So take your time. The results are worth it.
11-03-2015, 02:39 PM
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2010 E550 P2 w/AMG Sport Package + Pano, 2015 Nissan Pathfinder
I'm probably in the minority on this but it looks good either way IMO. It looks more elegant and luxurious with it and minimal and sporty without it.
