First off I started to read this thread and see it has be resurrected from 12/04...kind of cool that someone would take the time to dig up an old thread!

I too am a "chrome hater", alas from the Bald Biker Guy! My Harleys were all stripped of chrome, and you do know how Harley guys love their chrome. I remember the first set of pipes that I sent off to the powder coater, everyone thought I was nuts. Next bike it was everything, forks, nacelle, handlebars...do it all...black is beautiful!



Now on to the cars, I like my cars one color...trim and all. There needs to be subtle touches of black to break it up but chrome is NOT necessary! I have always hated the "trim chrome" they seem to always put around the windows or belt line of a car. I have just recently taken the chrome trim off my MC with 3M striping tape (easy job for anyone, windshield curve takes a few minutes, but well worth it) I am contemplating removing the chrome grill pieces on my MCS and the headlight surrounds and have them powder coated or painted black.



But before I ramble on...I have always said...each to his/her own! It's YOUR car/bike NOT mine, you're the one that needs to love your ride so no matter what anyone else thinks...you do what you want and the rest be damned!

 

Well said BikerGuy, The only thing that sucks about dechroming your headlight surrounds, is chipping over time. I just touch it up, no biggie. Good luck.

 

So... does anyone know the answer to the fuel cap question? Will a colored MC cap work as a replacement for a chromed MCS cap?

 

Buick made a car called the Grand National .....take a look you may like it

 

Chrome *shivers*

My fav. anti-chrome car of all time was an Acura RSX-S with a Mugen body kit, painted in satin black. I can't find a picture of the car anymore on the net...but it was a great mix between flat, and gloss.....

 

No, I don't believe it will, I think it needs some modification. what mods, I do not know. But if you wanna send me your Cooper S fuel lid, I'll powder coat it for ya!!

Lagston

 

Im pretty sure it actually will fit. It obviously requires mods to be done...but thats just removing the old door and inside piece and changing it to the MC version. If a mod can be done going one way (MC-->MCS) it seems like it could be done vice versa.

 

What kind of Wheels are those?

 

Does anyone have any pictures of a de-chromed red one? I've been thinking about going that route, but I don't think the effect would be nearly as nice as on the grey. Of course there seem to be a ton of red Mini's in the area, so something to distinguish would be nice. Got the black wheels...

Guess I could always try and photoshop the effect.

EDIT: Adding my pathetic attempt at the effect.

 

What's the going rate for coating caps?

 

Don't fight it ... The chrome on the MINI looks COOL, NOT GHETTO

That Red one looks like a junk-yard REPO

 

Junk yard repo... man, you hurt me bad. Well, ugly is in the eye of the beholder right?

So after the kids were down I found myself with spare time and some electrical tape. So I figured what the heck, lets see what it looks like black. I didn't like the lamps in black, if you were to do something with those I think red would be the only way to go. I left it on so I could take a picture though for reference. Someone might like to see the effect. I then stripped it off really quick and took a second shot with the chrome lamps.

Anyway, you can knotch me up for "ugly mini of the year" but I don't mind the look. I can peal it off any time if I change my mind.

 

hey thats my silver one up there!


those were my old wheels... velox novas 18x7.5 25lbs

had to graduate onto the 17x7.5 13lb SSR comps

got my tow hook, door handles and gas cap painted body color

pics to follow shortly

 

yah sam....that picture it emabrassing....look at all that chrome in that pic


I wanna see those new pics when you are done

 

Mean looking mini u have there

How did you paint the headlight surroundings? any special prep? or just simply sand the chrome off and spray the paint?
I might be doing the same for my front grille.

 

This question has already been asked (on page 1): He responded with (at the very top of page 2):

 

Thats why there is Vanilla and Chocolate.

 

wow you have totally inspired me i wanted to change the front of my mini but didnt know what look to go for this is really cool
the edges on the aero grille are they removeable to paint them?
also what did you use to fill the space of the bottom grille in the bumper?

 

nice ride. inspired me to order my '05 MCS..

http://www.mwerks.com/gallery/galler...ckstar%20MINI#

 

Pick and choose... I've been meaning to go back to aerokit grille and MCS bumper on my MC after my little fender bender replaced everything back to stock. But the thought of chroming the grille trim and blacking out the headlight bezels to balance has caught my attention. Looks like a baby Aston... :p

 

Looks real nice...

 

Ive done the aero grille, blacked out beltline, 20% tint, and cooper side grilles. The car is all black otherwise...and I'm still debating about the headlamp covers.

Im going to look into the MC cap tomorrow, and see if my dealer has one in stock.

Anyone removed the handles yet?

Here is a pic before the beltline black-out.



BTW Sam...when you search "mini cooper gas cap" on google image...your car is the 3rd picture thats listed

 

I've got a Cooper gas cap laying around somewhere. May have chipped the paint during removal though. Let me know if you want it.

 

Hey Coop, Once I get my camera working again I'll get some recent pics up of my car, or check out my gallery. The handles were there hardest pieces to remove off of the car. Shot me a PM and I'll try to give you some detailed instructions on removing the handles and anything else.

Thanks to Samtrak (DrDrumNbass) for the tips on dechroming.

 

heres a great contrast shot for the chrome lover/hater battle!