Anyone black out their exterior chrome trim?

[Vera_S3]

Hey everyone,

I wish I got the black optics package as I really wanted the door trims to be black instead of chrome. I've changed the grille to the RS style grille and now the chrome door trim stands out way too much.

Has anyone blacked them out yourselves or what options do I have?

[S3owner]

+1

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[1S32K16]

I haven't done it on my S3 but on my previous 2 Mercedes I had the window trim wrapped with vinyl. Effective way and easy to remove if anything. You just have to choose if you want glossy or matte black vinyl. Shouldn't be to expensive to have it done.

[osideaudi]

I had to do this on my SQ5 since I purchased an SQ5 off the lot with the chrome package. You can plasti-dip them, paint (expensive), wrap (expensive-ish), or replace them entirely (might as well buy a new car).

I had mine wrapped and it lasted, but it was difficult from the installers' perspective because chrome doesn't allow the wrap to adhere well. For trim it works better than on front end pieces because you don't have to worry about rock chips. Most people would plasti-dip but I think it's too cheap an option for such a nice car. Replacing the trim is super expensive and hard to ship (according to suppliers).

[AnthonyA3]

This is one of my next spring mods. I researched the crap out of all my options an vinyl is the only way to do it. If you're going to do it use 3m 1080 vinyl only! It's the most expensive vinyl but you get what you pay for.

You tube has one good video of an installer wrapping a Tesla but it's hard to find any other videos. From what I've figured out the driver and passenger front doors you'll need 3" x 5' vinyl for the top. For the bottom you'll need 2" x 5'. For the rear doors the top I think was also 3" and the bottom 2". For the two rear quarter windows you'll need to cover the whole window in vinyl and cut the opening out because you'll never get that curve.

[AnthonyA3]

If your buying the vinyl amazon has the best prices if you're in Canada. Buy a 3' 5' peice or someing similar and cut your strips.

[Mops@Nemesis]

I've done it a couple of times. Paid $150, and it looked perfect even after a few years. Use Oracal matte black. I can post an up-close.

[AnthonyA3]

I've done it a couple of times. Paid $150, and it looked perfect even after a few years. Use Oracal matte black. I can post an up-close.

I don't think matte would look good because of the shinny black pillars

[Mops@Nemesis]

I don't think matte would look good because of the shinny black pillars

You're correct! I was thinking about my old A5 which is frameless. Either way, I'm saying go Oracal.

[AnthonyA3]

You're correct! I was thinking about my old A5 which is frameless. Either way, I'm saying go Oracal.

Ya oracal is one of the good ones but I can't find 970 here only 651 which I've read is more of a hobby vinyl.

[Arrested_Decay]

Yup, i sure have.



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[AnthonyA3]

Yup, i sure have.



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Goddammit that looks good. Is the whole car matte?

[Arrested_Decay]

Goddammit that looks good. Is the whole car matte?

Thank you sir.

It's actually "satin" so shinier than mayte but not gloss.

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[markn1689]

i blacked out my chrome in 3m matte black vinyl wrap. total cost was like 20$ for the material and it took me about an hour and a half.
decided to go back to chrome- but i might do it again. i still have enough wrap

[AnthonyA3]

i blacked out my chrome in 3m matte black vinyl wrap. total cost was like 20$ for the material and it took me about an hour and a half.
decided to go back to chrome- but i might do it again. i still have enough wrap

Do you have any pics? Curious how the matte and gloss pillars go together.

[Arrested_Decay]

Do you have any pics? Curious how the matte and gloss pillars go together.

I went with gloss...i think matte would look funny. They make a satin black as well.

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[interestingjim]

Had the chrome trim and side mirrors wrapped in gloss black this weekend

[AnthonyA3]

Had the chrome trim and side mirrors wrapped in gloss black this weekend

Looks good. What did you use to paint your calipers? I'm thinking of trying G2 on mine.

[nothome17]

Same, I should of done more research. Didn't know there would be a Black Optic option. Just a hassle looking for the parts you want.

I too is deciding what vinyl to use to wrap the chrome trim.

[interestingjim]

Looks good. What did you use to paint your calipers? I'm thinking of trying G2 on mine.

Not exactly sure. I had done at a shop. But I had it done back in March and still holding up fine.

[Thudux]

Hey everyone,

I wish I got the black optics package as I really wanted the door trims to be black instead of chrome. I've changed the grille to the RS style grille and now the chrome door trim stands out way too much.

Has anyone blacked them out yourselves or what options do I have?

I vinyl wrapped mine carbon fiber and came out sweet!

[Vera_S3]

Thanks for all the replies, the car definitely looks better without the chrome IMO. I'll see if I can find someone to do it for me or I'll just give it a go myself.

[markn1689]

I vinyl wrapped mine carbon fiber and came out sweet!

looks great. were you able to do the window chrome wihtout overlapping multiple pieces of vinyl? did you do the front grill? if so did you do it as one clean piece without overlapping?

might need to try this over the weekend! awesome!

[Thudux]

looks great. were you able to do the window chrome wihtout overlapping multiple pieces of vinyl? did you do the front grill? if so did you do it as one clean piece without overlapping?

might need to try this over the weekend! awesome!

yes sir I did it in all one piece for every single chrome piece.

[KingoftheWok]

I'm planning to wrap the window trim gloss black and about to order on amazon. What size would I need to wrap both sides of the window trim?

Thanks.

[Artysta82]

I never understood the appeal, it cheapens the car imo. Why would you want to make your S3 look like an a3, but I guess to each his own..


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[AnthonyA3]

I never understood the appeal, it cheapens the car imo. Why would you want to make your S3 look like an a3, but I guess to each his own..


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Lol you do know that they both have chrome trim right

[tsunamis4]

Lol you do know that they both have chrome trim right

I was thinking the same thing...

[AnthonyA3]

I was thinking the same thing...

Well his forum signature says he has a 2017 S3 on order. He might have made a typo and really has a S7 on order then I could see a big difference in looks. Or he could just be acting like a douche... Who knows

[Dethsupp0rt]

I never understood the appeal, it cheapens the car imo. Why would you want to make your S3 look like an a3, but I guess to each his own..

To me, chrome is tacky . . . something you find on American cars.

[Artysta82]

Well his forum signature says he has a 2017 S3 on order. He might have made a typo and really has a S7 on order then I could see a big difference in looks. Or he could just be acting like a douche... Who knows

Wow wow easy there tiger, how old are you again? There is no need for name calling, I said to each his own...lol
My point being is that the brushed aluminum side view mirrors is something that's widely associated with only S cars. Audi does an excellent job of making Chrome and brushed aluminum look modern and sporty without being tacky. I currently own a black 2015 gti with all black trim and it certainly doesn't make the car look any sportier. My belief is that everything is moderation can work, and Audi certainly achieves that flawlessly.


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[Vera_S3]

Wow wow easy there tiger, how old are you again? There is no need for name calling, I said to each his own...lol
My point being is that the brushed aluminum side view mirrors is something that's widely associated with only S cars. Audi does an excellent job of making Chrome and brushed aluminum look modern and sporty without being tacky. I currently own a black 2015 gti with all black trim and it certainly doesn't make the car look any sportier. My belief is that everything is moderation can work, and Audi certainly achieves that flawlessly.


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Completely agree with the brushed side mirrors, I was planning on only doing the chrome trim on the exterior door sills and leaving the side mirrors in the brushed silver. Apparently my buddy knows a guy that does this kind of stuff in Toronto as I don't trust my shaky hands with doing it myself LOL.

And AnthonyA3 might've taken offense with you talking down about A3's compared to S3's? Just saying...