Worn out trim

[Phideaux]

Well we all know how horrible the worn out now 'chrome' trim looks on are cars So i recently decided to do something about it. I figured i would share as i'm sure many of you would like to fix this as well with out having to purchase the outrageously expensive replacements.

First some pictures






I did this using some vinyl wrap. this is satin black wrap and can be purchased online for about $25 for a 48" by 12" sheet. Plenty of material to cover the trim pieces! and far less expensive than the $500+ to replace them. Not to mention it looks great!

ps. this stuff will also stand up to the weather and lasts for quite some time.

[car nut]

That looks so much better then painting them. Thanks man!

[tg]

I see you had some left over to do the roof sections looks good.

[SarahLovesHer300zx]

wow! that looks great! Ive been thinking about using the truck bed liner spray on them if they get bad enough.. it seems like a better option than paint, i know someone that used it on his windshield cowls and they looked amazing! That vinyl was a good idea for the trim pieces though!

[rjwiggall]

I did this using some vinyl wrap. this is satin black wrap and can be purchased online for about $25 for a 48" by 12" sheet.

What website did you get it from? I googled and saw some made by 3M, but it was a 58x12 sheet and was removable... probably not the right stuff.

[DCaff300ZX]

Yeah- looks VERY nice, and I like this idea better than paint for my crappy moldings I need to repair/replace this summer.
Give us the complete layout- what brand, where bought, any tips/tools/instructions to get your excellent results!

[Phideaux]

That looks so much better then painting them. Thanks man!

Yeah sure thing, like to keep people in the know!

I see you had some left over to do the roof sections looks good.

funny thing is i bought it to do the roof and mirrors (still needs to be done) and had some left over to do the trim

wow! that looks great! Ive been thinking about using the truck bed liner spray on them if they get bad enough.. it seems like a better option than paint, i know someone that used it on his windshield cowls and they looked amazing! That vinyl was a good idea for the trim pieces though!

Thanks a lot! i think anything that doesn't involve me having to mask stuff off is good haha

What website did you get it from? I googled and saw some made by 3M, but it was a 58x12 sheet and was removable... probably not the right stuff.

I got it off of Stickercity.com, and yes it is 58"x12" typo my bad but that is most certainly the stuff! completely removable, and durable. people do there whole cars in the s*** is nuts!

[Phideaux]

Yeah- looks VERY nice, and I like this idea better than paint for my crappy moldings I need to repair/replace this summer.
Give us the complete layout- what brand, where bought, any tips/tools/instructions to get your excellent results!

The brand is 3M and as stated above i got it off of Stickercity.com they send you a tool and stuff with (felt spreader) but i used a Tupperware Spreader-spatula i found in my kitchen haha which was thinner and worked great! you may also need a hair dryer to make it more pliable if you need to get out creases or bubbles but i didn't need it, and and exact-o knife as far as instructions you just cut out as much as you need (i used 1" strips on the trim) and carefully put in on after peeling the back. for the roof panels and bigger things you're suppose to star in the middle and work your way out to avoid bubble and creases.

Let me know if you have any other specifics i can answer.

[DCaff300ZX]

Thanks for the link, bookmarked that for later!
Seems like a WELL-spent 25 bucks...

[DankZX]

Looks Great!!! Prolly Gonna Try It Soon!!!.....some questions tho...did you scrape off the old rubber to leave the smooth chrome to coat? and on a scale of 1 - 10 how hard was it to do it right the first time for you? The guys that do it on the site make it look SO easy!!! so jw

And a full write up/step by step would be AWESOME!!!

Great Work!

Yeah- looks VERY nice, and I like this idea better than paint for my crappy moldings I need to repair/replace this summer.
Give us the complete layout- what brand, where bought, any tips/tools/instructions to get your excellent results!

The brand is 3M and as stated above i got it off of Stickercity.com they send you a tool and stuff with (felt spreader) but i used a Tupperware Spreader-spatula i found in my kitchen haha which was thinner and worked great! you may also need a hair dryer to make it more pliable if you need to get out creases or bubbles but i didn't need it, and and exact-o knife as far as instructions you just cut out as much as you need (i used 1" strips on the trim) and carefully put in on after peeling the back. for the roof panels and bigger things you're suppose to star in the middle and work your way out to avoid bubble and creases.

Let me know if you have any other specifics i can answer.

[es.biggs]

Wow I want to do this! After washing, waxing, and cleaning inside the car this weekend my worn out [chromed out lol] trim stuck out like crazy.

[Initial_Z]

CF wrap anyone ?

[evildky]

the plastic trim covering works great I used it for the first time 15 years ago, it's easier than painting your trim and it looks better imho

painting your roof I'm nto a fan of but whatever floats yer boat

[WhiTTe Z]

Looks Great!!! Prolly Gonna Try It Soon!!!.....some questions tho...did you scrape off the old rubber to leave the smooth chrome to coat? and on a scale of 1 - 10 how hard was it to do it right the first time for you? The guys that do it on the site make it look SO easy!!! so jw

And a full write up/step by step would be AWESOME!!!

Great Work!

yeah, did you do anything to prep it?


Also did you guys notice that it says it only lasts 5 years

[raremotive]

Dry carbon wrap anyone?

http://www.drycarbonwrap.com/

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ys_hDHsqtWI[/youtube]

[car nut]

^That stuffs going on my hoodscoop.

[lionheart1028]

hmm that dry carbon wrap looks real nice..might get that also looks nice in the interior someone should replace their tweed interior with this wrap.

[ztommyx]

ebay also has them.

youtube that stuff... people's been using them on cars, bikes, etc.

but the trim looks good

[Phideaux]

Looks Great!!! Prolly Gonna Try It Soon!!!.....some questions tho...did you scrape off the old rubber to leave the smooth chrome to coat? and on a scale of 1 - 10 how hard was it to do it right the first time for you? The guys that do it on the site make it look SO easy!!! so jw

And a full write up/step by step would be AWESOME!!!

Great Work!

for the roof and body panels you need to clay bar first to get rid of all dirt and stuff, but for the trim i just wiped it clean and put it on. all the rubber was already worn off on mine, with all the chrome showing so i didn't have to scrape anything off. So if you have some stragglers still on there, yes, i would scrap it clean or it wont be smooth. This stuff is VERY thin. Yeah it really is quite easy to do. i'd give it probably a 4 on the DIY scale haha. and the only reason its that high is because it involves some detailed exact-o cutting. when i do my mirrors i can put up a write up, i really wish i would've done it for the trip but really it was a piece of cake. took maybe 15 minutes (including measuring and cutting 1" strips). Also thanks!

[Phideaux]

the plastic trim covering works great I used it for the first time 15 years ago, it's easier than painting your trim and it looks better imho

painting your roof I'm nto a fan of but whatever floats yer boat

haha well its not paint so its not like its permanent, so if i get sick of it i'll just peel the stuff off.

[Phideaux]

hmm that dry carbon wrap looks real nice..might get that also looks nice in the interior someone should replace their tweed interior with this wrap.

oh and speaking of CF wrap....here's my buddies grill surround from him 09 Accord Coupe

ebay also has them.

youtube that stuff... people's been using them on cars, bikes, etc.

but the trim looks good

Thanks Tommy, its been a while since you've been on haha
p.s. we should get that cruise on sometime

[ztommyx]

a cruise for two?

let me know when you have more people and i'll call a few z guys to go on the cruise as well


been out of town for the last week or so

[Phideaux]

a cruise for two?

let me know when you have more people and i'll call a few z guys to go on the cruise as well


been out of town for the last week or so

Haha well Paratrooper said he'd be down and i've got another buddy who has a 300. I sadly haven't met too many Z owners yet

[ztommyx]

para's Z isn't running yet, at least i didn't think so

i might have a couple Z guys that might be down as well.
just let me know when you set up a time

[kodiakdjd]

Hello Phideaux,

I only saw Matte Black on the stickercity.com website.

You metioned that you got a sheet of "satin black". Just checking which black color you purchased.

I was just about to have a "body" shop strip all the molding down, scuff them, up and paint them black.

I am glad I stumbled upon this post!

Thanks,

Dan

Looks Great!!! Prolly Gonna Try It Soon!!!.....some questions tho...did you scrape off the old rubber to leave the smooth chrome to coat? and on a scale of 1 - 10 how hard was it to do it right the first time for you? The guys that do it on the site make it look SO easy!!! so jw

And a full write up/step by step would be AWESOME!!!

Great Work!

for the roof and body panels you need to clay bar first to get rid of all dirt and stuff, but for the trim i just wiped it clean and put it on. all the rubber was already worn off on mine, with all the chrome showing so i didn't have to scrape anything off. So if you have some stragglers still on there, yes, i would scrap it clean or it wont be smooth. This stuff is VERY thin. Yeah it really is quite easy to do. i'd give it probably a 4 on the DIY scale haha. and the only reason its that high is because it involves some detailed exact-o cutting. when i do my mirrors i can put up a write up, i really wish i would've done it for the trip but really it was a piece of cake. took maybe 15 minutes (including measuring and cutting 1" strips). Also thanks!

[vikesfankevin1986]

It looks like they have that same vinyl wrap in carbon fiber. http://www.stickercity.com/50-inch-prem ... sheet.html
I was actually thinking about replacing the trim the other day but figured I would wait until the car gets painted...but this looks like a cheap and simple solution. I think I might buy this.

[vikesfankevin1986]

Hey dumb question but how does the trim come off? Do you put the vinyl on with them on the car? It doesn't appear to pull or slide off...can you tell I'm not a car guy...

[vikesfankevin1986]

anyone?

[kodiakdjd]

from the previous posts a few months ago, it looks like the vinyl wrap goes directly on top of the existing molding pieces.

i just order the matte black wrap today, so I will install it as soon as it comes in,

dan

[vikesfankevin1986]

But trim stays on the car correct? Well let me know how yours turns out and then I will order mine.