DIY: $50 Chrome Window Sill Trim Mod

[Rogue2008]

Finally finished off and took pictures. I ordered 38' of 0.6"/16mm thick chrome ABS plastic trim from ebay for around $51.50. But I have around 3' of trim left so you should be fine with 36' of trim. I traced and cut the trim to round the corners. Just used sharpie and nail to mark cutting points. Trim already had plastic protective covering so could trace using sharpie marker. I used hair dryer to bend the trim around the rear window since it wouldn't stay in place on those curves and try to straighten. As a result there are very slight wrinkles on the inside but who is going to see so minutely anyway. Here are the finished results.

[Eikon]

Looks nice! You clearly took your time and did a quality installation. Well done!
Of course, not everyone will like that much chrome accent on their vehicle... But you definitely did a good job with it.

Thanks for sharing!!

[Rogue2008]

Thanks! It is definitely not a lot of chrome. I think the door handles and window trim is subtle and I would not do any more than that. Lets see how it holds up over time. I am a sportsbike guy at heart so definitely one of those Harley Chrome haters.

If I had to do it again, I would try putting the trim around the windows on the painted body to make it continuous flowing like you see on the CR-Vs

[Pescakl1]

Congrats on the mod, it looks really nice.
It gives the rogue a nice touch, some nice feel to it you cannot recognise right away.

Thanks for sharing the information.

[Leo2005]

APPROVED!!!

[EddNog]

That looks totally awesome!

-Ed

[gpsmoucer]

That is an awesome job you did. I'm truly impressed. Any thoughts on getting OEM(ish) chrome grill add-ons? I ask because I have a red Rogue as well...its a great color when it's freshly waxed and tires shined, but I feel it lacks (more so than any other Rogue colors) the completed chrome grille AND the chrome window trim like you did - even more so when its not all clean and shiny.

I can't put my finger on why I feel that way about the red and not any of the other colors. But for whatever reason red rogues (mine included) look somewhat "toy-ish" to me. On the other hand, the white/cream Rogue's look like they're simply a higher class of car (to me).

[Rogue2008]

I need to fix some scratches on mine and wash, wax it. I thought about the chrome grill, but it looks good with the just the center logo. Full mesh grill seems too much as I have seen on my friend's red Rogue. At the most I may do is put similar trim on the border of the grill and call it a day. But not sure how good will it look with the joints showing. Have to do it with some clean well aligned cuts and/or covering the gaps in the joints with some chrome paint.

I actually did fix that gap in the rear window trim with some hair dryer. The pic posted is before that.

[Elton Noway]

I thought about the chrome grill, but it looks good with the just the center logo. Full mesh grill seems too much as I have seen on my friend's red Rogue. At the most I may do is put similar trim on the border of the grill and call it a day. But not sure how good will it look with the joints showing.

Along the lines of the trim you already applied (which looks great by the way) and with the idea of trimming just the border of the grill... you might want to check out this aftermart kit. Its called a "Grill Extension". It "is not" the chrome plated egg crate most of us are familiar with... Its only a border. And No Seams!



Here's a link to one of several suppliers. (be sure to shop around for best price)

http://www.carid.com/2009-nissan-rogue- ... 66350.html

[EddNog]

I don't know if I'm just a very, very poor searcher, but for the life of me I am unable to locate the same ABS plastic trim. Could someone please help me with this? I'd like to replace the steel window trim kit I have with this so that I can get rid of the unsightly wide swaths of chrome on my pillars.

-Ed

[Rogue2008]

I thought about the chrome grill, but it looks good with the just the center logo. Full mesh grill seems too much as I have seen on my friend's red Rogue. At the most I may do is put similar trim on the border of the grill and call it a day. But not sure how good will it look with the joints showing.

Along the lines of the trim you already applied (which looks great by the way) and with the idea of trimming just the border of the grill... you might want to check out this aftermart kit. Its called a "Grill Extension". It "is not" the chrome plated egg crate most of us are familiar with... Its only a border. And No Seams!



Here's a link to one of several suppliers. (be sure to shop around for best price)

http://www.carid.com/2009-nissan-rogue- ... 66350.html

Elton,

Thanks for the link and pic. Great to know that it exists but still expensive for a el cheapo modder like me . Will try to see what can I do with the 3' leftover trim.

Thanks,
Akshay

[Elton Noway]

I don't know if I'm just a very, very poor searcher, but for the life of me I am unable to locate the same ABS plastic trim. Could someone please help me with this? I'd like to replace the steel window trim kit I have with this so that I can get rid of the unsightly wide swaths of chrome on my pillars.

Howdy Eddnog!
I don't think its you... I consider myself pretty good at searching ebay and I had a heck of a time tracking this down. That said, I have no idea if this is the seller where Rogue2008 purchased his chrome trim from or not. Hopefully if he sees this thread he might point you towards the seller he purchased from.

Anyway... this guy sells peel-n-stick chrome plastic trim. Per his description he says "If you need longer please contact us". It looks like he cuts it to different lengths then sells them as kits for doors, windows, wheel wells etc. Looks like the same stuff... and comes with a 100% guarantee.

(Here's a link to his door kit)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chrome-D ... 3a5d16af47

He also sells it in pre-cut rolls

5/8" Wide x 40'
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Universa ... 3a5d2f1ed7

1/4" Wide x 50'
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Universa ... 3a5d2f1d3f

[Rogue2008]

I was going to buy from that guy but found another seller that sells universal door trim kits for much cheaper. Here is the seller link: http://stores.ebay.com/The-Lucky-Badge-Shop

Just request him for 36' of trim. I think that costs less than $51.50 I paid for 38' of trim since I made two orders of 16' and 20' at $23.5 and $28 respectively.

5/8" is the max I could get from him. He may say he has 0.8 or 5/6" trim but it really measures 5/8"

[Rogue2008]

EddNog,

I was only able to find the one supplier you provided for the extensions.

[EddNog]

Thanks, everyone! That is really helpful! I really want to pick up a roll and do this...

Now my only problem is, can I remove the stuff I already have installed without damaging the car--that is the question!

-Ed

[Leo2005]

Now my only problem is, can I remove the stuff I already have installed without damaging the car--that is the question!
-Ed

Heat it up and pry with screw driver. Take your time and don't rush. When I was replacing my door handles I damaged one handle with screw driver a little bit but since I was putting new covers it wasn't a big deal. Clean it up with adhesive remover.

[Rogue2008]

Ed,

But why you want to remove your SS chrome?

[EddNog]

Ed,

But why you want to remove your SS chrome?

I never liked the fat portion on the B-pillars. The problem is, the way the kit is designed, if I don't use them, there's a gap at the top and bottom, as the horizontal portions don't run full across; the vertical portions run top to bottom end to end, and the horizontal portions just run up to them. It's a very poorly designed kit, that basically was built off the initial pillar posts by adding some cheap lazer-cut, unpolished stainless steel pieces around the border, whereas the pillar posts are better finished with smoothed edges. Would have been far better off if done the other way around, where the portion going around the frame should be the main quality piece and the pillar posts an optional add-on, but that is apparently not how these things work. This adhesive plastic chrome option was never something that came to mind for me since I didn't know they made any in this width (5/8"). Now that you've shown us this, I'd like to get rid of these fat pillar posts once and for all and then replace this kit with the plastic adhesive chrome trim, which is far more subtle (what I wanted in the first place).

-Ed

[EddNog]

Now my only problem is, can I remove the stuff I already have installed without damaging the car--that is the question!
-Ed

Heat it up and pry with screw driver. Take your time and don't rush. When I was replacing my door handles I damaged one handle with screw driver a little bit but since I was putting new covers it wasn't a big deal. Clean it up with adhesive remover.

Is there any specific adhesive remover you recommend?

-Ed

[Rogue2008]

Ed,

But why you want to remove your SS chrome?

I never liked the fat portion on the B-pillars. The problem is, the way the kit is designed, if I don't use them, there's a gap at the top and bottom, as the horizontal portions don't run full across; the vertical portions run top to bottom end to end, and the horizontal portions just run up to them. It's a very poorly designed kit, that basically was built off the initial pillar posts by adding some cheap lazer-cut, unpolished stainless steel pieces around the border, whereas the pillar posts are better finished with smoothed edges. Would have been far better off if done the other way around, where the portion going around the frame should be the main quality piece and the pillar posts an optional add-on, but that is apparently not how these things work. This adhesive plastic chrome option was never something that came to mind for me since I didn't know they made any in this width (5/8"). Now that you've shown us this, I'd like to get rid of these fat pillar posts once and for all and then replace this kit with the plastic adhesive chrome trim, which is far more subtle (what I wanted in the first place).

-Ed

I wanted something subtle too and asked questions in some of your threads I think and that is when I found out that the pillar posts reached top to bottom. I also asked questions to all ebay sellers I could find whether the kit could be cut or comes in the correct ones we want. So I went with this plastic chrome option which surprisingly bends well with heat and sticks well too. I wouldn't mind using super glue at the curved edges either since it can be removed with soap and alcohol.

[Leo2005]

Is there any specific adhesive remover you recommend?
-Ed

They all pretty much the same. I bought mine from wal-mart.

[alisyed]

Where can I buy this trim. Can you give me the link. Thanks

[ThandaPani]

Saw this seller on Ebay selling the similar stuff. May wanna check it out.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... MEWAX%3AIT

15M = 49.2 Feet

I like what you did and wanna give it a go...My Rogue is just 2 weeks old...so might wait for a afew more weeks to try this on.. Good job though..

[Rogue2008]

It is chinese maal Don't want to trust it since after a wash my chrome has started peeling. The seller is not cooperating so I am going to try another seller who gives 4 year warranty.

[ThandaPani]

Good to know...I ain't going for the trim then...I am happy with my lighting projects...

[Rogue2008]

Get one or spend more on one that has warranty. I think I have seen couple at $60 and $70 with 3-4 year warranty contrary to my $50 ones without warranty.

[Rogue2008]

Great to know now it is locally available. I always love when things get quickly available. I don't have the Rogue any more as I traded it for a brand new Venza.

[Rogue2008]

That is an awesome job you did. I'm truly impressed. Any thoughts on getting OEM(ish) chrome grill add-ons? I ask because I have a red Rogue as well...its a great color when it's freshly waxed and tires shined, but I feel it lacks (more so than any other Rogue colors) the completed chrome grille AND the chrome window trim like you did - even more so when its not all clean and shiny.

I can't put my finger on why I feel that way about the red and not any of the other colors. But for whatever reason red rogues (mine included) look somewhat "toy-ish" to me. On the other hand, the white/cream Rogue's look like they're simply a higher class of car (to me).

I tried to reply to your PM but you have disabled them.

[Rogue2008]

Posting the answer to your question:

Rogue:
1. Great cuv, smooth, looks good, handles well
2. CVT is not suited for 4 cyl, anemic at 65-70+ highway speeds
3. Weird selection of options, need to load it up a lot to get basic bluetooth, ipod integration
4. funky auto down only on driver side
5. less supportive seats and cargo space compared to Rav4
6. Poor resale value given the deals on new ones.
7. reliability doubtful with the CVTs and i had bearings replaced at 30k due to a thud sound coming.
Venza
1. LExus inside a Toyota - superb high quality interior materials and design
2. Cruiser, great power at 80 mph speeds where it is barely at 2k rpms. Gr8 mpg.
3. Std dual zone Climate control, all windows auto, ipod, usb integration, BT, rear hvac vents, auto dimming mirror, projectors, fog lights
4. tons of space and storage, best rear seat space and reclining seats,
5. smart key and power tailgate available for cheap
6. gr8 resale value
7. Toyota reliability

Drive one, you will likely buy it. A loaded Rav4 can be had too for almost same price. Both gr8 choices: base venza with conv pkg and loaded rav4. V6 is one of the best engines with gr8 mpg.

[ThandaPani]

I don't think its going to last long. But it was fun though.


This is how it looked.






This is how it looks now. Not a huge change. But I liked the look on my camry and tried to have a similar look.