Tundra Owners Report Defect on Faux Tinted Chrome

Has anyone else on here had an issue with their Faux Tinted chrome? It's been a pretty widespread issue in Facebook forums and many people have come to us to chrome-delete their grilles. Was wondering if anyone else is having defect issues, particularly peeling and chipping, on their tinted Tundra Grilles (or their regular chrome Grilles in general?).

Here's a photo I pulled from one of the Facebook forums. Nasty stuff.

 

Yes, last time I looked close I had some chips on my Platinum dark chrome. I don't recall if it was just the mustache or the grill as well.

 

That really sucks. Chrome is bad enough, but peeling/chipped chrome is a whole new level of nasty

 

Gee, if only some vender would come up with some good overlays for those chrome parts....

 

Well now that you mention it

 

Sales must be slowing down.

I'm one of the old farts on this forum who happens to like the fake chrome on my truck. It's the beautiful shiny stuff, and it doesn't have any defects.

I was curious about your fog lamp bezel overlay, though. I think the paint matched version brakes up the massive grille nicely. Decided against it because I think it might collect dust under it, like the tailgate spoiler on these truck do. That damn thing drips muddy water out of it for an hour after I wash my truck. We live in the boonies with nothing but dirt roads for 7 miles in any direction, so dust is a big issue.

 

This is happening on my 2024 as well, it goes in next week for warranty repair for the grille and stache. Pretty sad a $60-$70K truck was fitted with this level of cheapness. I explained to my dealership that this is going to be a recurring problem and I'll likely be back next year for when this happens again, painting a "smoked" clear coat or candy coat on a smooth surface like chrome doesn't work, the clear has nothing to adhere to. The first micro chip in the clear lets water in and it grows from there.

 

This is why modern chrome = bad. IMO.
There's been no such thing as real chrome plating since the age of the steel bumper.

I'm an old fart too, and I really don't mind the look on say, a Platinum/1794 or a Capstone, but if the choices are plasti-chrome or paint, I'll stick with paint for longevity.

 

Chrome looks great when it's integrated into the styling and body lines. That's why a lot of 50's and 60's cars look so good. Modern stylists just seem to want to chrome random pieces without thought to how they meld into the body lines. Most of the chrome on old cars was polished stainless, so it would hold up. All the new stuff is plastic, and unfortunately will fade with age and is not durable against rocks and debris. I like the chrome grills on the tundra, and the smoked chrome looks great as well. I would have body colored the mustache though, I think it would have flowed better with the body lines, but that's just my personal preference. Sorry to hear folks having issues with the finish, hopefully they can get it taken care of.

 

Only nice thing about issues is that there is a new market for our bumpershellz to cover up that chrome. But with all the money Toyota puts in to designing their trucks, it's kind of sad that this problem even exists on the newer models.

 

There are chrome "pens" out there that might make this better. Seen them used on chrome wheels with good visual success.

 

I've mainly just seen those pens used on wheels as well. Interesting to see how that would look on a bumper or grille.

 

My whole mustache is basically peeled off. I am out of warranty with 65k. So guess I have to live with it.

 

My 19' Tacoma Sport had a "chrome" grille (aptly named the "cheese grater") that was factory painted over with the black chrome paint. Bought that truck with 8K miles and it had a bunch of little dings. Quickly put a PRO grille on that. The chrome coating seems to do ok it's the painting on top of it that is easily chipped. I got my painted parts on the Tundra PPF coated and it seems to work well. Some of the edges get dirt in them but I'll take that over the death of a 1000 rock chips.

 

You don't have to live with it. We have a high quality overlay that will go right over that mustache. It's made of a high quality ABS so it won't fade or peel in the sun. We even have a custom paint shop that can body match your Blueprint paint job. Here, I'll include a link to our site:

https://www.ecoological.com/store/p105/3rd-gen-tundra-grille-surround-cover.html#/

Your Tundra will look brand new again! Better than new actually because that ugly chrome will be covered up.

 

My 2024 1794 Limited Edition has the smoked chrome and it rubbed/peeled off in one spot but the dealership said it is not covered under warranty.

 

Nothing nearly as bad as the picture, probably about the size of a dime.

 

Mine is just as bad as the picture you have, I will have the dealership replace it when I'm there next

 

Hey everyone! I just wanted to share another update about the Tundra 1794 door guard project. The mold has been cut, and we've been going through the prototype finessing the fitment to be just right! Right now, we're on track to release them for everyone around May 1st.

I've also made a video recording the process of cutting the mold. I just want to give you all a behind the scenes look at what our product development process looks like.
https://youtu.be/F1JcUuN9wHo


Let me know what you think and if you'd like to see more of these kind of videos!

 

What does the dealership charge for that kind of repair work?

 

I have had my '25 Plat for 14 months... no peeling yet. However, I do have marks from rocks. Unfortunately, there is not touch-up paint available. I am thinking about getting Magnetic Gray touch-up paint for the smoked grill surround.

 

On my 2025 Platinum, the dark chrome grill pieces and body side moldings on three out of four doors are peeling badly. It's embarrassing, to say the least. All parts are supposedly on order from my dealer after I brought it to their body shop for an estimate. $2255 to remove and replace. I've asked them to order a color matched grill surround, and I may leave the side moldings off for fear that it might happen again.

 

It was just tbe one spot in the middle of the picture for a while but it is now spreading after the winter.

 

I am going to push aggressively for warranty coverage

 

Oh man! You should have talked to us first!

We could color match your Magnetic Gray Metallic for your entire body kit(Grille, rear bumper, mirrors, trim, and all) for $1200. Plus, you guys get a 10% discount.

 

You definitely should! I honestly don't know how Toyota could get away with this kind of ubiquitous defect.

 

I had my mustache replace as part of an accident and my new one is starting to peel off. The original one had no problems.

 

I’m interested if you sell the overlays in Lunar Rock, and if so what is the price. I’ve only seen black and white on your website. My dark chrome is peeling as well

 

2022-2026 Toyota Tundra Front Grille Mustache Shellz – Chrome Delete Overlay

Here's the link to the page! Lunar Rock is on there under the drop-down menu labeled "Color". Here... let me send a picture of what it looks like exactly.


The price is $549.95 but don't forget to add the TUN10 discount code when you're checking out to get the forum discount.

 

Dealership replaced under warranty with no questions asked when I bought it up.