I used black Plasti Dip to darken the chrome trim and badges on our Seat Leon. I chose it because it is inexpensive, simple enough to apply at home and, importantly, reversible if I dislike the result.
What is a chrome delete?
“Chrome delete” simply means making bright chrome trim dark or black. Common methods include vinyl wrap, removable rubber coating such as Plasti Dip and permanent paint.
How I did it
- Clean and degrease. Remove dirt, wax and grease completely. I used isopropyl alcohol for the final wipe.
- Mask carefully. Protect paint, lamps and anything behind grille openings from overspray.
- Test spray. Shake and apply according to the product instructions.
- Build several coats. Do not try to achieve full coverage with one heavy coat.
- Respect drying times. Temperature and coat thickness matter, so follow the can rather than a universal internet timing.
- Remove masking carefully. Pay particular attention where the coating needs to break at an edge.
- Let it cure. Avoid washing or picking at the coating until the manufacturer says it is ready.
Plasti Dip or vinyl?
For small badges and experimental details, removable coating suits me well. Vinyl usually gives a different finish and is a natural choice for long trim pieces, but cutting and fitting it neatly takes more precision. Permanent paint is another level of commitment entirely.
For this project I used material already sitting in the garage, so the marginal cost was almost zero. A reversible cosmetic experiment is exactly the sort of car project I enjoy.
