I don't really like black bars, I prefer stainless or chrome (which is what I had on my 01) but with the color of my new truck I think a bunch of chrome or stainless accessories would be too much. So I decided I want to go with a "gun metal" look, or black chrome.

Has anybody tried doing any of this themselves? I think I recall an episode of TruckU where they used some duplicolor rattle can paint to achieve the high glossy look of black chrome. I have some old stainless brush guard pieces I could practice on.

I guess if that's a failure, anybody have any experience getting there stuff black chromed at a shop?

And if anybody had any pictures of any black chrome on their truck I'd love to see them.

Here's a picture of my truck to give you an idea of what it would be on.

 

how about niteshade the chrome?

 

That works good for lights, but according to this thread it didn't work.
https://www.f150online.com/forums/ap...e-emblems.html

They did mention the duplicolor rattle can called it metal cast paint or something.

 

I think black chrome would look awesome. Don't have any experience doing it so can't help you in that respect. Possibly contact a paint shop and see if they have any ideas? Can't wait to see what it turns up like...I might try my bull bar depending on how well it turns out for you.

 

What about Line-X Xtra with color match?

 

Hmmm, seems that, aside from their Metal Cast line (where they have a black anodized paint), Dupli Color also has a "Shadow" kit, for a black chrome kit. No scuffing of the chrome, just cleaning it and spraying. Hmmmm....

EDIT: Seems there's already been a post about it. Link

I keep on finding posts on other forums of people asking about it, but no one really using it. A couple people had trouble with it coming out blotchy, so they had to go darker to cover it up. Also saw one person use it on his tail lights to for a shiny, smoked look... Apparently, once it's on the chrome, it actually very hard to get off...

 

Yea, looking at there website thats what I'm referring too. Just curious if anyone has tried it or any other method used to achieve that result.

 

Here's some pix/threads I could find

http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=171133.0

This one when full dark


Tail lights


Just the inserts?

 

I'm probably going to pick up a set of the stuff and try it on some old stainless stuff I got see how it turns out. See how it would stand up to the elements, and how many coats I need for the darkness I want. If it works I would probably do my step bars, a bull bar, and I might try and get a harley grille and do that to it. I also need to tint my heads and tails.

 

Keep the thread updated. I'm interested to see how it comes out...if it comes out well like the other examples posted I will be shooting my bullbar with the stuff.

Found this...looks like it came out pretty good

http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=171133.0

 

That's the stuff I ordered, $16 bucks on ebay.

 

Ok. There could have been things i could have done to make these firsts attempts even better. I'm not a painter, but i learned a bit from this practice test, mainly trying to keep a nice even light coat to avoid running. But overall I like the look the Duplicolor shadow gave my stainless bars and the chrome step bar. Just a reminder this was a test run before i try it on anything on my truck, these were just old parts i had lying around that were years old to begin with.

Here's what was used, along with a degreaser.


Started on parts of a stainless brush guard and a chrome step bar. The pics were at night here so sorry for the detail.




After 3 coats of the shadow, and 4 coats of clear. Again i could have been better here with making it even and not to heavy, but i still think it gives the look im after.



Here im trying to show the contrast between a normal chromed plate and the darker black chrome, which as you can see is still shiny.





This is a picture of the chrome step bar after being painted


A closer look of the black chromed stainless bars


You cant really tell from the pics but if you look real close at the bars they are almost blotchy, I think that can be fixed with a better even coats.

The box says more or less coats of the shadow can be put on there depending on if you want it darker or lighter. This was 2 coats and i think I'm going to stick with that. That or maybe two lighter coats and the last heavier coat.

I wouldnt be bashful with the clearcoat, it seems to bring out the shine pretty good. I did four coats of the clear and that seemed to work for me. Over all i like it. I think im going to paint my ford chrome bars with this. After i get a bull bar i'l probably paint it as well. The only thing i dont know or wont know for a while is its durability. But i think with the multiple coats of clear it will help hold up. But just scratching it with a finger nail dosnt do any damage to the paint.

So what do you guys think?

 

looks pretty good!

keep us updated on how it holds up please!

i would consider doing my bumpers if its going to last!

 

might be the pictures but doesnt look that dark to me...

 

double post