Looking for some opinions here. I ordered a platinum in white tri-coat, but as the days go on, I like the look of the sport package which, as you all know, isn't available on a platinum.

1. I'm not about to try this myself if I decide to black out the wheels, grill, and tailgate badge so who does this kind of work? Auto body shop?

2. Best product to use?

3. Does it last for years or does it have to constantly be maintained?

4. Opinion on white tri-coat paint with blacked out chrome? Spare no feelings here.

5. About how much to get it done right?

Or....is this just a really bad idea?


Any input you guys have is appreciated.

 

order an fx4 lariat at that point...

 

My experience is that most body shops these days only want to do insurance-type work. They might be willing to black out the trim, but will want to remove it, traditionally paint it, reinstall it. For a ton of $$.

Search your local craigslist for 'plastidip' and/or 'vinyl wrap' and you will likely find a few shops that specialize in those particular techniques, which work really well and are a fraction of the cost of paint-booth methods.

 

Plastidip

 

You can have the wheels powdercoated, $150-300 per wheel, in a color that will get you close to black chrome. I think black chrome takes 3 coats to do, so a little more than standard powdercoating. I personally don't think plastidip goes with a platinum, so I'd have the front bumper center either vinyl wrapped or painted, and the grill and tailgate piece painted, or maybe hydro dipped.

Google vinyl automotive wraps, hydro dipping and black chrome powdercoating to get an idea of cost and look.

Do it right and the truck will look awesome! Be sure to post pics when your done.

 

Before and after plastidip. (Couple days work, cost $50, and looks fine 8 months later)

 

I noticed your mirror skull caps when white. Did you refinish them or can they be changed out?

 

If you have the chrome caps, they can be popped out very easily and then painted or dipped however you want.

Redoing the plastidip, when I got the pearlizer to better match my tricoat white.


Peels off so clean and easy


The first time I dipped them was before I knew you could pop them off.

 

I would suggest visiting a body shop to have it properly painted and clear coated. Personally I cannot get on this plastidip bandwagon. I have many cars come in the shop with pieces coated this way and it has began to peel and just generally doesnt have that finished feel. Not to mention if you go through auto car washes, i havr seen and heard of many cars that the brushed catch the edges just right and peel it off. Nothing against this method but personally I would prefer a nice painted surface that can be waxed and polished. It may cost a bit more initially, but if you have to recoat the plastidip once, you will probably end up spending the samr amount.

 

I agree a true PTM job looks a lot better. I love the fact I can peel off the dip in minutes if I decide to. And I have yet to have any blemishes in the dip on my truck... Even the exhaust tip!