DIY - de-chroming and painting tail light trim rings - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

themossman · 10-10-2009, 01:45 PM

I decided to begin the process of ridding myself of all the chrome on the car...step one was the tail lights trim rings.

I needed a couple of bits of material....

600 and 800 grit sandpaper
Dupli-color CP 199 Adhesion Promoter
Dupli-color DA 1605 Flat Black

I pulled the trim rings (pain in the rear, but did not have to remove bumper...http://camaro5.com/forums/showthread...ght=tail+light ...also...the rear looks AWFUL with the trim rings out...you can clearly see the 'slots' where they belong).
Used 600 grit paper to sand the trim rings...was satisfied when they began to look like brushed aluminum.
Cleaned thoroughly, let dry. Masked off tabs.
Applied 2 light coats of adhesion promoter...10 minutes between coats and 30 minutes before color.
Applied 2 lights coats of flat black, followed by a medium coat (10 minutes between coats)

Let dry and there were some bad spots...I had the spray can too far away and the paint was 'drying' before it even hit the trim ring.

So....waited for 24 hours and wet sanded the rough spots out with 800 grit.
Satisfied, I applied two more coats of flat black. I then followed with clear coat...which gave a glossy appearance I didn't like. I then went over the clear coat with a final coat of flat black.

I'm satisfied with the results...

2032Ceta · 10-10-2009, 01:53 PM

Damn...that looks awesome. I cannot stand the chrome crap on my car...

Chewy · 10-10-2009, 01:54 PM

Nice job bro. I'm curious whether flat black or gloss black would look better on CGM.

(there is a DIY section lol, probably gonna get moved)

Blood · 10-10-2009, 01:55 PM

Damnnn dude really? that looks awesome. Is there anyway I can take it to someone to get done, because I dont know how to do that stuff well lol.

themossman · 10-10-2009, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2032Ceta

Damn...that looks awesome. I cannot stand the chrome crap on my car...

I have a feeling the emblems will get pulled and painted to get rid of the little bits of chrome as well....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chewy

Nice job bro. I'm curious whether flat black or gloss black would look better on CGM.

(there is a DIY section lol, probably gonna get moved)

Missed you this AM!! You going out to the cruise-in this evening???

The flat black would probably look better IMO...they look 'natural' like other black parts on the car (fog/DR lights trim, lower rear valence, etc) If the car was black...glossy black would probably look good, otherwise I think it would be a distraction.

As far as DIY section....I thought this one more appropriate under cosmetic mods...that's where I went searching for help....

franknbeans · 10-10-2009, 02:18 PM

looks nice.. will be a winter project for me.

Batman0837 · 10-10-2009, 02:51 PM

Very nice! Will be looking to do something similar when I get my CGM...

rickerda · 10-10-2009, 02:59 PM

I've seen several post where people removed the taillight trim and I liked it. But I like that much better.

Infern0 · 10-10-2009, 03:32 PM

So money and you don't even know it.

DarricSS · 10-10-2009, 03:38 PM

That looks awesome! Way better than using weather stripping...good job!

How do the bezels pop out?

teamlowes48 · 10-10-2009, 03:41 PM

would you mind sharing the product brands with us. I you know what works why test another brand? Thanks

Chris-10 · 10-10-2009, 03:43 PM

great job looks good, i'll be adding this to the list to do when my car gets here

dmo · 10-10-2009, 03:45 PM

That is a sharp piece of DIY modification. I painted the front emblem a flat black but noticed when I removed the crappy plastic chrome it started to deteriorate on the underside and return to a regular plastic. I have an option coming down the pipe line later in the year to replace them with custom billet logos.

Back on topic... the tail chrome pieces on my black camaro would look pretty slick how you did it or with a glossy finish.

I've also been wondering what my car would look like with the body paint a matte black

Revo1 · 10-10-2009, 03:54 PM

You know what- I thought I was gonna hate it, but it actually looks really good...

Nice job, looks very clean. If this catches on, these would be pretty easy aftermarket parts to produce in plastic... Probably start seeing them in a variety of colors, to match the car maybe?

10-10-2009, 01:45 PM	#1
themossman Apprehensive Optimist Drives: '10 SS/RS SIM Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: JAX Posts: 1,383	DIY - de-chroming and painting tail light trim rings I decided to begin the process of ridding myself of all the chrome on the car...step one was the tail lights trim rings. I needed a couple of bits of material.... 600 and 800 grit sandpaper Dupli-color CP 199 Adhesion Promoter Dupli-color DA 1605 Flat Black I pulled the trim rings (pain in the rear, but did not have to remove bumper...http://camaro5.com/forums/showthread...ght=tail+light ...also...the rear looks AWFUL with the trim rings out...you can clearly see the 'slots' where they belong). Used 600 grit paper to sand the trim rings...was satisfied when they began to look like brushed aluminum. Cleaned thoroughly, let dry. Masked off tabs. Applied 2 light coats of adhesion promoter...10 minutes between coats and 30 minutes before color. Applied 2 lights coats of flat black, followed by a medium coat (10 minutes between coats) Let dry and there were some bad spots...I had the spray can too far away and the paint was 'drying' before it even hit the trim ring. So....waited for 24 hours and wet sanded the rough spots out with 800 grit. Satisfied, I applied two more coats of flat black. I then followed with clear coat...which gave a glossy appearance I didn't like. I then went over the clear coat with a final coat of flat black. I'm satisfied with the results... __________________ Car is for sale --->http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158486 Current Summary: Engine:Phase One-(All work by Vengeance Racing): Custom Cam, AR Headers, ported throttle body, ported intake, custom tune, dual valve springs, hardened push rods, under drive pulley, thermostat, Vararam CAI, C5R timing chain, Melling oil pump catch can, breather, MagnaFlow Sport Axle Back Suspension: Pfadt Sport Sway Bars, Pfadt drop springs Other: MGW Shifter, Custom Paint my build journal ---->http://camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30057 Last edited by themossman; 10-10-2009 at 04:45 PM.

10-10-2009, 01:54 PM	#3
Chewy My boredom isn't safe Drives: 2010 SS Camaro Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,224 View My Garage	Nice job bro. I'm curious whether flat black or gloss black would look better on CGM. (there is a DIY section lol, probably gonna get moved) __________________

10-10-2009, 01:55 PM	#4
Blood Drives: 2003 Silverado z71 1500 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 272	Damnnn dude really? that looks awesome. Is there anyway I can take it to someone to get done, because I dont know how to do that stuff well lol. __________________ www.greenhousesforsale.org.uk www.doubledinnavigation.com

10-10-2009, 02:18 PM	#6
franknbeans Whipped Drives: 2010 CAMARO Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Pittsburgh-ish - PA Posts: 4,216 View My Garage	looks nice.. will be a winter project for me. __________________ Car of the week 7/7/14

10-10-2009, 03:38 PM	#10
DarricSS Drives: '10 Camaro SS Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Gilbert, Arizona Posts: 1,047	That looks awesome! Way better than using weather stripping...good job! How do the bezels pop out? __________________ 2010, SIM, 2SS/RS, LS3, CGM Stripes

10-10-2009, 01:53 PM	#2
2032Ceta Drives: 2010 Camaro/2009 Nissan Rogue Join Date: May 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 89	Damn...that looks awesome. I cannot stand the chrome crap on my car...

10-10-2009, 02:51 PM	#7
Batman0837 Drives: '10 CGM 2SS/RS # 71394 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Middletown, DE Posts: 365	Very nice! Will be looking to do something similar when I get my CGM...

10-10-2009, 02:59 PM	#8
rickerda Drives: 2010 Camaro 2LT RS Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chester VA Posts: 513 View My Garage	I've seen several post where people removed the taillight trim and I liked it. But I like that much better.

10-10-2009, 03:32 PM	#9
Infern0 Bring It Drives: In Between Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 2,929 View My Garage	So money and you don't even know it.

10-10-2009, 03:41 PM	#11
teamlowes48 NFIRNO Drives: 2010 Inferno Orange Camaro Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Hazel Green Al Posts: 332 View My Garage	would you mind sharing the product brands with us. I you know what works why test another brand? Thanks

10-10-2009, 03:43 PM	#12
Chris-10 Drives: 2ss/rs vr 6m Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Port Richey,fl Posts: 2,848	great job looks good, i'll be adding this to the list to do when my car gets here __________________ My build thread.click the pic. COTW 10/24/11

10-10-2009, 03:45 PM	#13
dmo Drives: 2SS RS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 86 View My Garage	That is a sharp piece of DIY modification. I painted the front emblem a flat black but noticed when I removed the crappy plastic chrome it started to deteriorate on the underside and return to a regular plastic. I have an option coming down the pipe line later in the year to replace them with custom billet logos. Back on topic... the tail chrome pieces on my black camaro would look pretty slick how you did it or with a glossy finish. I've also been wondering what my car would look like with the body paint a matte black __________________

10-10-2009, 03:54 PM	#14
Revo1 Don't Like it? Suggit. Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 14,832 View My Garage	You know what- I thought I was gonna hate it, but it actually looks really good... Nice job, looks very clean. If this catches on, these would be pretty easy aftermarket parts to produce in plastic... Probably start seeing them in a variety of colors, to match the car maybe? __________________ "Tops off, tach up baby- loud and proud!" A Camaro lover from day one- 1996 3.8 V6 Camaro, to 1996 5.7 LT1 Camaro Z28, to the sold 2002 5.7 LS1 Camaro SS, and NOW, a [I]6.2 L99 VR 2SS/RS: XS Power stainless full exhaust, Airaid CAI, BMR drop springs and sways, custom tune by Cal Speed- 411rwhp