Need your opinion - chrome or black pillars?
#1
Rookie
Thread Starter
Need your opinion - chrome or black pillars?
Hi everyone,
Recently picked up an '03 ES 300 at a local dealer. This particular car has chrome pillars. I'm on the fence about them. Which do you like better?
Mine (w/ chrome pillars):
OR
Black pillars (some random photo):
Besides the fact the the professional photo looks way better than mine, which do you prefer? The chrome pillars that I have, or the stock black ones? Thanks.
Recently picked up an '03 ES 300 at a local dealer. This particular car has chrome pillars. I'm on the fence about them. Which do you like better?
Mine (w/ chrome pillars):
OR
Black pillars (some random photo):
Besides the fact the the professional photo looks way better than mine, which do you prefer? The chrome pillars that I have, or the stock black ones? Thanks.
#5
Lead Lap
You know the chrome doesn't look bad there. I do prefer the black because it gives the seamless window look to the styling, rather than calling out "hey look at me I'm a chrome pillar!"
#6
Pole Position
iTrader: (1)
BLACK
BLACK
BLACK
BLACK
BLACK
Sorry but chrome pillars make me sick. The reason they are black is so that the windows blend together into one big flowing oval shape. ESPECIALLY when the windows are tinted. It's a visual design cue used by professional designers. When you put chrome on them, it blatantly screams out, "Hey! These are obviously two distinctly separated windows! I'm drawing a big, thick, flashy line right down the middle of the car to cut it in half and ruin the visual flow that was intended by the designers!"
So do you see my point as to why chrome pillars are bad? In my opinion, they're one of the worst things that's ever happened to automotive culture. Just like those fake plastic vents that people stick onto the fenders of their Buicks.
BLACK
BLACK
BLACK
BLACK
Sorry but chrome pillars make me sick. The reason they are black is so that the windows blend together into one big flowing oval shape. ESPECIALLY when the windows are tinted. It's a visual design cue used by professional designers. When you put chrome on them, it blatantly screams out, "Hey! These are obviously two distinctly separated windows! I'm drawing a big, thick, flashy line right down the middle of the car to cut it in half and ruin the visual flow that was intended by the designers!"
So do you see my point as to why chrome pillars are bad? In my opinion, they're one of the worst things that's ever happened to automotive culture. Just like those fake plastic vents that people stick onto the fenders of their Buicks.
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#10
Rookie
Thread Starter
Wow some people are very passionate about pillars! LOL. OK, seems like most of you say black, even though a couple thought the chrome was OK. I am starting to agree that the black looks classier. So - how to get them off? It looks like the chrome strips are just "stuck" on over the black. Do you think I could get them off without damaging the black paint beneath?
#11
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Ma
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I put carbon fiber on my wife's Es. But her handles and fuel door also have it. Looks real nice with black. With your chrime handles I would stick with black or chrome. Why introduce a 3rd random texture.
#12
Lead Lap
iTrader: (10)
Wow some people are very passionate about pillars! LOL. OK, seems like most of you say black, even though a couple thought the chrome was OK. I am starting to agree that the black looks classier. So - how to get them off? It looks like the chrome strips are just "stuck" on over the black. Do you think I could get them off without damaging the black paint beneath?
#15
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Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: TX
Posts: 23
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Sorry but chrome pillars make me sick. The reason they are black is so that the windows blend together into one big flowing oval shape. ESPECIALLY when the windows are tinted. It's a visual design cue used by professional designers. When you put chrome on them, it blatantly screams out, "Hey! These are obviously two distinctly separated windows! I'm drawing a big, thick, flashy line right down the middle of the car to cut it in half and ruin the visual flow that was intended by the designers!"
I learned the impact of visual styling cues from a buddy of mine who's into 50's era Chevy cars and trucks. He spent many nights explaining the importance of "visual flow" to a vehicle, and how the body lines and trim work together to create and maintain that flow... I think the car looks great with black pillars. It looks classy, the window shape is highlighted only by the chrome edging that runs the entire circumference of both back windows. "Just enough" so to speak.
The chrome pillars seem very out of place.. borderline tacky. Have you ever seen those cars riding around with chrome edging on every single side of every single door on the vehicle? Same concept here.. breaks visual continuity and looks plain tacky. And this is from someone who runs big bling wheels . But seriously, it's your decision/your vehicle, and if it looks good to you then go for it! You have a beautiful car either way.
Haha no the Buicks come stock with the VentiPorts!! Everyone else has to go to PepBoys to get their stick on vents...
You might try the Heatgun/Hairdryer trick for debadging cars. What you do is heat up the adhesive and then cut it with a fishing line, dental floss, or a piece of string. Then if there is any residue, you can remove it with Goo Gone.
Anyways congrats on the car, what other mods do you plan on doing?