:..Has anyone tried "brush finishing" their chrome..:???

Just wondering if that might be a possibility as I am staring hard at some 2018 - 1794 editions.

I could live with the chrome for a while - but at some point that chrome is screaming for a brushed nickel/aluminum finish...wheels & grill, bumpers & mirrors.

What do ya think?? Doable.??

 

Chrome is a "plating". Brush finishing it will probably cause peeling. Brush finished surfaces like brushed aluminum or nickel are typically thicker material that's been, well, brushed by wire. The plastic stuff manufactured that way so there's a bit of thickness to the actual finish. I would use a wrap.

Don't not try though. There's plenty of places to get replacements for all the things you mentioned. If your diy brushed finish fails, it won't be hard to get something else for cheap. Start with the mirror covers as those are cheap to replace and/or easy to wrap.

 

I vote no. Chrome can look great on period correct vehicles, like a first gen Tacoma in green...yes indeed.

Modern trucks, never chrome.

For example, this is perfect....anything much newer than this though should never see chrome.

 

None of it is real chrome. The plastic pieces are just a plastic with a chrome look. Even the metal bumper is just a plated chrome. It wouldn’t make it through any kind of cutting needed to polish.

 

Get a spare piece or two and experiment on them first.

I had painted my chrome grille a few times. Twice with satin black paint (tried different prep methods because the paint chipped both times) and had to sand the paint failures off. I painted it with bed liner on round 3 and that lasted over a year before chipping (rustoleum spray can liner isn't the best). After that I decided to live with the chrome but during the sanding of the bed liner I scuffed up the chrome pretty good. It looked cool for a while but now it just looks like dull chrome to me, with hints of copper here and there. At least it isn't shiny, that's mostly what I don't like about chrome.

 

Yeah, I kinda figured the collective would be answering like this.

I did know that the grill is plastic "chrome" finished .. It was a wishful thought.

Oh well, more dreaming coming right up.

Thank you all for your replies - I do really appreciate it.

 

Real chrome? Chrome is always plated. It's a coating. Have you ever found a solid chrome anything?

 

After spending $50k on a truck, I want it to look like a $50k truck. Chrome is usually part of that. Why not just save yourself some effort and buy a more budget model without chrome? That's what your expensive truck will look like after the chrome is covered or removed.

 

Again, I am NOT against Chrome.

I was just asking if it was the collectives thought that it could be brushed, as I like that look also.

I'll probably leave the '18 completely stock on the exterior.

I will throw an exhaust on it - most likely a Flowmaster

Time is an ally... lot's of good suggestions in these threads.

 

I'm certain that the grill bars on my first gen are plastic as well. If you really want know about something that hasn't been done you just have to do it. That's why I suggest getting a spare part and experimenting with it. If there is a wrecking yard near you then buy the part, or if you're sneaky take a scotch brite pad and make some passes at it on site. Opinions on chrome are every bit as strong as opinions on oil or tires, you're better off to try it yourself and see.

 

None of the top modern offerings have chrome unless its a "sport" package or "limited" which target the over 65 demographic. Raptor, Power Wagon, Trail Boss etc...They're all chrome free and all $60k and up.

The days of chrome equaling top of the line are decades past.

 

You're delusional. Manufacturers are always going to need a way of distinguishing their top-of-the-line models. Black paint isn't going to accomplish that.

 

Look for yourself. Even on first gens the higher models had color matching trim rather than chrome.
https://www.andymohrtoyota.com/toyota-tundra-trim-levels-avon-in.html

 

Color matching or blacked out.

This is the most expensive AMG G-Class you can build.

The Night Package, all color matched and blacked out, not chrome.

 

Better yet, Cadillac! THE brand for old folks.

The most expensive top of the line Cadillac sedan you can buy is all color matched, zero chrome.





I can't believe anyone would pay $100k for a Cadillac anything but there it sits lol.

 

I’m fully aware of how the chrome process is done by dipping metal in a electrically charged bath. My point is that the majority of the “chrome” parts on these trucks is nothing more than plastic with a shiny coating made to resemble an actual chrome finish. Even the metal bumper ends are so paper thin, as is the plating on it, sanding it down to get a brushed finish would yield nothing but a bumper that’s been burned through.

 

Guys, I could easily point to at least a dozen vehicles (from large trucks to sedans - Kenworth, Ford, Lexus, BMW, Audi, etc) with chrome, so you're not proving anything.

 

I didn’t want all that chrome either….so I bought the color matched grille surround and hood bulge. Then I Plasti-dipped part of the grille insert and the fender caps.

Used a gray color and I then sprayed several coats of rust oleum matte clear on top to harden and add additional protection to the dip.

Did this on previous vehicles and the dip held up with No Issues Whatsoever for 7 years, I sold it so that’s as far/long as I can comment on how well it’s held up.

On the plus side……if you ever get tired of it or want to remove it you can.