pirate11

My chrome trim surround on my 2011 ISC has a small crack in it. The body shop pro says it is too much effort and buy a new one. I want a black one and actually found one, but it only fit the '13-14 model. Anyone know where to look for a compatible one? I guess painting over the chrome plated plastic is beyond the DIYer's capacity. Thanks.

SwedeMetal

eBay and they are not cheap. The one on my '08 is messed up too but I don't wanna cash chuck $60 bucks on a replacement.

Icy350

iTrader: (18)

Painting the chrome surround shouldn't require too much. Just remove, sand the chrome off. Primer, paint, clear, wet sand 1000grit, 1500, and 2000. Cutting compound it with a buffer, Polish compound with a buffer and voila.

pirate11

yep...i'm a house guy. beyond my skills and can't find a black one on eBay.

Ling2IS

iTrader: (4)

Grille and surrounding chrome piece was pretty straightforward to remove on my 06. Plastidipped my chrome surround after installing a new grille.

pirate11

That is a killer solution...I can do that tasteless gold badging too....

Ling2IS

iTrader: (4)

To each their own

Mike_1GO

iTrader: (2)

to each their own, but imo, a blacked out grill on a lexus looks ricer/cheap. Save the plastidip or flat black for a civic.

Ling2IS

iTrader: (4)

I agree to a certain extent, and I did consider leaving the chrome after installing the new grille; however, I do like the way it turned out. Main inspiration was from GiantsFan's build.

pirate11

The grille is already black, as is the car. The "gold" letters looks cheap, as does the "chrome" grille surround. If it was real gold I would trade it in for some gold front teeth. They would be classy.