Anyone colour coded the chrome tailgate strip on Sportwagon's ??

[Thumpin]

When the Sportwagon was released I hated the chrome strip across the tailgate. It looked like a last minute afterthought . After a while it grew on me and I learned to live with it

Now I'm rebelling and thinking it looks cheap and nasty. I was thinking of buying a spare strip and getting it painted to match the body (in my case Silver) or maybe even black chrome

What do you think??

Does anyone know if you can paint a chrome surface? Do I need to strip the chrome first?

[rk has a vn]

When the Sportwagon was released I hated the chrome strip across the tailgate. It looked like a last minute afterthought . After a while it grew on me and I learned to live with it

Now I'm rebelling and thinking it looks cheap and nasty. I was thinking of buying a spare strip and getting it painted to match the body (in my case Silver) or maybe even black chrome

What do you think??

Does anyone know if you can paint a chrome surface? Do I need to strip the chrome first?

Go for the black chrom

[bdc74]

Ive done mine. Just sanded it back a little. Used a bit of plastic adhesion promoter, the a couple of coats of black enamel, then a couple of clear top coats. Looks heaps better. I'll put a pic up when I get home to show the difference.

[BlueSteele]

Ive done mine. Just sanded it back a little. Used a bit of plastic adhesion promoter, the a couple of coats of black enamel, then a couple of clear top coats. Looks heaps better. I'll put a pic up when I get home to show the difference.

look forward to seeing this as i want to do the same

[RiCeY]

9 times out of 10 the tabs that the bolts go into on the chrome trim break when you remove the trim.

Just so you know.

[bdc74]

So this is mine...



...and yes, two thin plastic tabs did break, but they aren't that really important anyway.

[Thumpin]

Cheers Bdc.

I'll check the cost of a new chrome moulding and then work-out which way to go.

I talked to an Electroplating company and they can remove the plating quiet easily with cyanide dip.

Driving to work today I saw a Voodoo SS wagon with the strip painted. Looked good.

[Troyziee]

let us know what the part number is and how much rape-ige holden want for it.

ill be doing mine as soon as i find some time to remove it

[bdc74]

Just so your all aware, this was a bit of a pain to remove as the number plate lights were easy enough, but you also have to remove the tailgate button by removing the rubber button pad and I found that the only way to take the whole button off the panel and thus, away from the car is to but two small wires and then re-solder them and heat shrink when you're done.

[pjdm1980]

Is the chrome strip sunk into the door? If not maybe look at getting the holes welded up and tossing that crap strip all together.

[bdc74]

Yes it is. The door panel is moulded so that the strip sits flush in it.

[RiCeY]

Just so your all aware, this was a bit of a pain to remove as the number plate lights were easy enough, but you also have to remove the tailgate button by removing the rubber button pad and I found that the only way to take the whole button off the panel and thus, away from the car is to but two small wires and then re-solder them and heat shrink when you're done.

Uhhh no the button and number plate lights all come away together theres no need to cut any wires.

[Troyziee]

Has anybody figured out how to remove the strip yet? (without breaking anything!)

and can do a little 'how-to' write up, cause im hanging to get mine off.

[Gravity]

I agree the strip is ugly. I wanted to colour-code mine too. Removal would have been better if the metal hadn't been molded, which I didn't know about til now.

I'm looking forward to hearing more about you guys who do it first.

[RiCeY]

Ive removed heaps and theres nothing you can do to prevent the tabs breaking unfortunately, we just fit new ones if its warranty work.