GS - 3rd Gen (2006-2011) Discussion about the 2006+ model GS300, GS350, GS430, GS450H and GS460

GS Chrome Window Trim

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Old 03-02-10, 11:29 AM
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rewt75
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Default GS Chrome Window Trim

Do you all know if the chrome trim around the windows, particularly the larger piece on the rear windows is actually plastic made to look like chrome? I'm asking because I've got some pretty bad swirling on mine and I'm wondering if it's got a clear coat on top of it that would allow me to buff all the tiny scratches out of it using polish.
Old 03-02-10, 11:46 AM
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BinaryJay
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All chrome is just a coating. It doesn't appear to be "chrome coloured paint".

Just test in a small inconspicuous area using a mild metal polish like Mothers, go slowly and see what happens.
Old 03-02-10, 12:57 PM
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jsolarte
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What would be the best way to make them 'blacked out' instead of chrome?
Old 03-02-10, 01:06 PM
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I8ABMR
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I have swirls in mine on the rear doors. I had them literally from the very first car wash I had. I was pissed but I just keep telling myself that the car will not be perfect forever
Old 03-02-10, 01:19 PM
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BinaryJay
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Originally Posted by jsolarte
What would be the best way to make them 'blacked out' instead of chrome?
Uh, paint them black?
Old 03-02-10, 01:35 PM
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IXI187IXI
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i had mine vinyl wrapped in black. love the way it looks with the tinted windows.
Old 03-02-10, 02:15 PM
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vuiskool
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Originally Posted by IXI187IXI
i had mine vinyl wrapped in black. love the way it looks with the tinted windows.
do you have pictures of this? I wanna see how it looks on a light colored gs.
Old 03-02-10, 04:27 PM
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mysteryan
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It's all metal. I polished mine a few times. When you do though, be prepared to lose a pad. Since you're polishing metal, you're going to blacken your pad. You can use regular polish on it. I used SIP on orange via UDM. Works great.
Old 03-02-10, 10:06 PM
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rewt75
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Originally Posted by mysteryan
It's all metal. I polished mine a few times. When you do though, be prepared to lose a pad. Since you're polishing metal, you're going to blacken your pad. You can use regular polish on it. I used SIP on orange via UDM. Works great.
Good deal. Did you try a white pad and finishing polishing first and that didn't get it right or did you go right to the orange pad and cutting compound? I might try hand polishing it first as there isn't that much chrome trim. I'll see if I can forego wasting a pad on just the trim.

I've got white and orange pads and will be hitting it with Meguiar's M205 and M105 if necessary. I'll be using that combo for the rest of the paint too which is swirled up pretty badly.
Old 03-03-10, 04:21 AM
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IXI187IXI
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Originally Posted by vuiskool
do you have pictures of this? I wanna see how it looks on a light colored gs.
Thread
/10 char
Old 03-03-10, 10:56 AM
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mysteryan
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Originally Posted by rewt75
Good deal. Did you try a white pad and finishing polishing first and that didn't get it right or did you go right to the orange pad and cutting compound? I might try hand polishing it first as there isn't that much chrome trim. I'll see if I can forego wasting a pad on just the trim.

I've got white and orange pads and will be hitting it with Meguiar's M205 and M105 if necessary. I'll be using that combo for the rest of the paint too which is swirled up pretty badly.
I didn't bother finishing it with white. Turns out fine. Initially, I tried it by hand. I wasn't done with 1/4 of one window before I gave up and busted out the machine.
Old 03-03-10, 07:16 PM
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lexus4jess
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The trims around the windows are made of stainless steel.Thats why they don't rust.I want to Powder coat mine.I pulled back the bubber and the trims are held down with rivets not screws.Suck......
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