Dechroming LTZ questions

[iamdub]

I'm de-chroming mine as well. Scored a set of nearly-new factory Graystone door handles on eBay for $50 and that's what kickstarted it.

I would paint the mirror caps and door handles. Once you see them against the gloss black paint, you'll be wishing you had painted them before installation. It'll make your LTZ look like an LS/PPV/SSV. Then, they'll look worse when they get a little age on them and turn from black to dark gray.

Black is easier to match, but I'd recommend the AC Delco touch-up aerosol paint and U-Pol Clear #1 if you're gonna paint them yourself.

 

[arctictwist]

I hadn't even considered painting myself. I figured it wouldnt be terrible to pay someone for door handles and mirror caps. Well see what they quote tho!

 

[BourbonNcigars]

I de-chromed most of my LTZ too, and removed the door strips. I was able to PTM the grill surround and mirror caps. Now I have got to do the door handles.

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Damn I love that Tahoe of yours. That color and those wheels go together like biscuits and gravy. And a 6.2 at that, if I recall correctly...

 

[BourbonNcigars]

I replaced the chrome pieces that I could (mirror caps, door handles) and sprayed what I couldn't (wheels, trim, emblems), but left a little bit to break up the monochromatic look.

Great comparison shot. Blacked out fits it well.

 

[iamdub]

I hadn't even considered painting myself. I figured it wouldnt be terrible to pay someone for door handles and mirror caps. Well see what they quote tho!

If you're not skilled in spray-painting, don't even attempt it. Having a painter fix your attempt will be more costly than just letting them do it right the first time around. I just mentioned it in case you were going to paint them yourself and I recently tried that AC Delco paint and U-Pol clear and had phenomenal results. Mine is Graystone Metallic so mistakes or crappy paint will stand out. Black is much more forgiving, but still.

 

[mikeyss]

Damn I love that Tahoe of yours. That color and those wheels go together like biscuits and gravy. And a 6.2 at that, if I recall correctly...

Thank you, and I agree, no other factory wheel would look good with that color. I got lucky finding my 6.2 Tahoe, and at first I was worried about the color. I'm more of a dark burgandy, black, and bermuda blue kinda guy. I have changed a lot on the exterior since buying it, here's a before pic from when I bought it. The previous owner must have loved chrome, and getting rid of those wheels was the best thing, haha

 

[arctictwist]

I replaced the chrome pieces that I could (mirror caps, door handles) and sprayed what I couldn't (wheels, trim, emblems), but left a little bit to break up the monochromatic look.

what process did you use to paint the chrome trim? I had a body shop do the grill on my old silverado, last a couple months before it started to peel off.

 

[qcon]

what process did you use to paint the chrome trim? I had a body shop do the grill on my old silverado, last a couple months before it started to peel off.

I used Superwrap spray (formerly called Autodip), which is a gloss black spray-on vinyl. I also used their gloss coat to add more protection. It's been over a year and still holds up pretty well. I think it looks a lot nicer than Plastidip.

 

[Ls2jorge]

I replaced the chrome pieces that I could (mirror caps, door handles) and sprayed what I couldn't (wheels, trim, emblems), but left a little bit to break up the monochromatic look.

Did you purchase these handle covers?

 

[qcon]

Did you purchase these handle covers?

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No, I replaced the entire handles.