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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Cosmetic and Lighting Modifications (exterior/interior) > Chrome window trim Question



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      09-05-2007, 11:33 PM   #1
"07"BobbyBimmer
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Chrome window trim Question

I was pricing out the shadowline trim at Tischer for my e92 and it's over a grand. What I'm wondering is if anyone knows, is the chrome looking trim we have on our e92's actually metal or is there any plastic in it at all. If it's all metal I can just take it off and take it to my friends powder coating business and get it done for about 150.00 or less. Anybody know what the trim is made of. Thanks
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      09-05-2007, 11:36 PM   #2
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taking off the metal trim is not as simple as it appears.
some have had troubletaking the trim off without damaging it: Bavarian19's thread
others have had no problems.
the key is to go SLOW.
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      09-06-2007, 11:37 PM   #3
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Thanks for the heads up, Chesmu, I will check with my bodyshop buddy to see if he knows any tricks before I attempt it. That would suck to screw up the pieces and end up spending more than just buying the shadowline trim in the first place.
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      09-07-2007, 12:24 AM   #4
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goo gone FTW
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      09-07-2007, 07:38 AM   #5
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I believe the trim is made of Aluminium and then goes through Anodising to get the gloss effect. The Shadow trim goes through much the same process but then goes through a black anodising. Im not sure that black powder coating the trim would get a durable finish.
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      09-08-2007, 12:57 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Petermack View Post
I believe the trim is made of Aluminium and then goes through Anodising to get the gloss effect. The Shadow trim goes through much the same process but then goes through a black anodising. Im not sure that black powder coating the trim would get a durable finish.
It should be even more durable, I've done ground up restorations on old Austin Healys and we powder coated the frames because of the durability. But I will difinitely check with my powder coat buddy to see what he thinks. Thanks
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      09-08-2007, 01:02 AM   #7
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Petermack, I was just thinking about all the fixtures in our bathroom remodel and all the shower and sink fixtures were powder coated in an antique bronze and they stand up to the elements and constant handling really well, no chipping, fading, or anything else. But as I said I will check and see what my friend says.
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      09-08-2007, 06:17 AM   #8
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Only reason I think that powder coating might not be as durable is that it has a tendency to chip slightly easier then Anodising. I work with a company that makes the trim for Audi, Bugatti,Bentley ,VW & some of the BMW models. Nearly all of the brightwork trim is Anodised with the exception of Rolls Royce, & Bentleys who use a stainless steel. Audi found that a Black anodised finish is slightly more durable then powder coating and its also a harder finish. Only trouble with Black anodising is that you can never get a true black color. It comes out as a brown black. Black powder coating is the only way to get a true black finish.
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      09-08-2007, 03:14 PM   #9
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Like Chesmu said, pulling the chrome window trim off without bending it is going to be near impossible. Since the Shadowline trim is so pricey, what about buying a new set of the chrome trim, and having that painted prior to installation.
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      09-12-2007, 11:54 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nmulax View Post
Like Chesmu said, pulling the chrome window trim off without bending it is going to be near impossible. Since the Shadowline trim is so pricey, what about buying a new set of the chrome trim, and having that painted prior to installation.
You end up saving about $200 for each side, on just the single large piece in chrome (shadowline is $460 each while chrome is $260). The price difference on all the other pieces isn't much, so you will probably still end up paying around $600-$700 on a complete set in chrome, you will still need to have it painted. Still not worth it imo.
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      09-13-2007, 12:07 AM   #11
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a customer I know has his painted cuz he hated chrome. Bodyshop did it for him
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      09-13-2007, 12:17 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WhiteAngel View Post
a customer I know has his painted cuz he hated chrome. Bodyshop did it for him
Yea, I'm thinking about doing the same. However the trim needs to be removed in order to be painted, if not done properly the trim can bend and won't be usable. The option the poster above was referring to was purchasing new chrome trim and getting it painted, but you only end up saving a litte over $400 vs buying oem shadowline trim. Guess I better look for a quality bodyshop.
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      09-13-2007, 12:47 AM   #13
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here in swiss you must pay over 1100 bugs for the OEM shadow line!!!
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