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CHROME Front Lower Trim!

34K views 38 replies 11 participants last post by  HENRYLUCIANO 
#1 ·
Does anybody know whether the MDX front lower trim garnish piece can be custom finished with a <b>CHROME</b> appearance?

<img src=http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/11/l_fcc82a8a19dc424d909f1a72253ea0d8.jpg>

if not, I was thinking about spraying some of 'ALSA's MirraChrome' paint on it prior to installing it onto my X, and then have the 3M clear bra applied to it....:

~Priscilla

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<b>ALSA</b> is the same company that helped <i>50 cent</i> chrome his entire Lamborghini:

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#3 ·
midnightMDX said:
I havent seen it done on a MDX, but I am pretty sure it could be chrome painted. Its not going to look as perfect as a true metal finish, but the result is close.
thanks~ do you think that would look too tacky/ghetto?....just wondering...:2:

<i>wouldn't wanna be the next victim like this poor guy</i>

<img src="http://www.mdxers.org/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=446011" alt="" width="100" height="75"></a>

<i>in this thread</i>:
http://www.mdxers.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37210&highlight=chrome

since I'll be having my lower bumper painted bali blue to match the rest of the body, I just thought that a chrome finish on the lower trim piece might result in a cleaner look overall- as opposed to having a third color/finsh (<i>brushed aluminum</i>) besides the already existing bali blue & chrome...?

~Priscilla :1:
 
#5 ·
I like the finish of garnishes as they come, but as we've seen, pretty much anything can be chromed!

I don't think it would look too tacky since it is a small component. If you did it with chrome rims it might be a bit much.
 
#6 ·
Hodog16 said:
I like the finish of garnishes as they come, but as we've seen, pretty much anything can be chromed!

I don't think it would look too tacky since it is a small component. If you did it with chrome rims it might be a bit much.
Thanx...;)

did you have the 3M clear bra product applied to either your front lower trim garnish and/or your painted bumpers?...:confused:

<center><img src=http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/Hodog16/MDX/trees.jpg></center>

~Priscilla :4:
 
#7 ·
I did have the clear bra placed over the front painted bumper, but not the front garnish. The installation guy cut a custom piece out for me.

I also had the clear bra put across the usual parts of the front (first 1/3 of the hood, front fenders, side mirrors, front bumper).

The front garnish cleans pretty easily, if you don't paint it there's no need to put a clear bra over it. I don't know how the clear bra will affect the chrome part.
 
#8 ·
Chrome front/rear garnishes = :blingblin
I do wish however for the garnishes to be a tat less yellowish.
 
#9 ·
LionSpeed said:
Chrome front/rear garnishes = :blingblin
I do wish however for the garnishes to be a tat less yellowish.
it's this 'yellowish color' of the front & rear garnish accessory trim pieces that's provoked me to inquire on either looking into<br> 'chroming' them or at least <i>exactly</i> color matching them to the the portion of the existing/stock grill that's not chrome (<i>the<br> plastic shield portion</i>).

come on <b>Mr. LionSpeed</b> (<i>mod KING</i> :2: )....we're all eagerly waiting your next mod(s)!!!!....:4:

<i>just imagine the fender garnish in either a chrome (or the same color as the plastic shield...and NOT yellowish!) in this beautiful X<br> below:
<img src=http://gallery.mac.com/kipbeatty/100197/_MG_5475/web.jpg?ver=12505454150001>

~Priscilla :1:
 
#10 ·
Personally don't think it's a good idea to paint/chroming the front garnish. Rear might be ok. Why? The front takes a lot high speed flying rocks. How long will the "chrome" last?
 
#11 ·
LionSpeed said:
Personally don't think it's a good idea to paint/chroming the front garnish. Rear might be ok. Why? The front takes a lot high speed flying rocks. How long will the "chrome" last?
good point about the front- that's why I was gonna look into the possiblity of having the 3M clear bra application applied to the front garnish (<i>after the chroming process/paint had already been applied</i>)...don't know if custom fit 3M pieces are available or not for just the front/rear garnish pieces?

i was also partly inspired to consider chroming this MDX front fender piece from seeing all of the M class Mercedes SUV's- some of which appear to be fitted with front & rear <b>chrome</b> garnish pieces:

<img src=http://static.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/images/Auto/evox/316946/img_090.jpg><img src=http://static.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/images/Auto/evox/316946/img_048.jpg>

~Priscilla :1:
 
#12 ·
Looks very nice with the chrome paint but I doubt it'll hold up to the abuses from the road since is up front taking the beating head on.
 
#15 ·
Any 3M clear bra installer worth anything could make a custom piece for the garnish. Might be pricey but worth avoiding any flaking.
 
#16 ·
Hodog16 said:
I did have the clear bra placed over the front painted bumper, but not the front garnish. The installation guy cut a custom piece out for me.

I also had the clear bra put across the usual parts of the front (first 1/3 of the hood, front fenders, side mirrors, front bumper).

The front garnish cleans pretty easily, if you don't paint it there's no need to put a clear bra over it. I don't know how the clear bra will affect the chrome part.
<img src=http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/53/l_7139b0c63b854cbd8dc3cea2e2645931.jpg>

Hodog16- did you have the 3M clear bra placed over the outer surface of the 'shield piece'?

If not, do you even think that a clear bra installer could make a custom piece just for the shield piece alone (to cover both the chrome and plastic parts of this single shield piece)?...:confused:

~Priscilla :1:
 
#17 ·
The clear bra set comes with a few small pieces that cover the painted part of the grille right inside the headlights.

It would be hard to cover the shield with a clear bra due to the holes, and I'm sure it could be done but not very feasible.
 
#18 ·
Hodog16 said:
The clear bra set comes with a few small pieces that cover the painted part of the grille right inside the headlights.

It would be hard to cover the shield with a clear bra due to the holes, and I'm sure it could be done but not very feasible.
thanks Mr. Hodog16 :D

do you happen to know if the clear bra is available in pieces that will cover the clear plastic headlight covers? and if so, did you get these areas protected as well yourself?

~Priscilla :1:
 
#19 ·
No problem :).

They do make protection pieces for headlights, I did not do them myself.

Some of the kits are here:

Linky
 
#20 ·
#22 ·
I couldn't agree with you more - and actually I drove a M- class Benz and really liked the chrome just as you did.

According to Acura, they are stainless steel, but in some pictures they really look plastic.

Can anyone who has these pipe in with their opinion? This will likely be my first upgrade to the vehicle, but having black on black, I don't want it to look tacky or off color.
 
#24 ·
They are a little more solid than just plastic. I guess they are stainless steel. Probably could be chromed but I'm not going to try it :D.
 
#27 ·
Does anybody know whether the MDX front lower trim garnish piece can be custom finished with a <b>CHROME</b> appearance?

<img src=http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/11/l_fcc82a8a19dc424d909f1a72253ea0d8.jpg>

if not, I was thinking about spraying some of 'ALSA's MirraChrome' paint on it prior to installing it onto my X, and then have the 3M clear bra applied to it....:

~Priscilla
and the short answer is- YES it can be done! :29:

I had the front garnish (actually referred to as the 'MDX Front Lower Trim') chrome plated by ABC Custom Chrome in Waterford, MI (shop website: ABC Chrome - Custom Plating - Waterford, Michigan) via 'Bob' the shop owner this past July...

<img src=http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/5176457988_37d9ff89a5_b.jpg>
<img src=http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5175852543_fc707bb9c6_b.jpg>
<center><img src=http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/5175852201_f8d17222fa.jpg></center>
<img src=http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/5175852329_d54971bc5a_b.jpg>
<img src=http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/5171696829_7872c5815a_b.jpg>
<img src=http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/5172373952_dc208f0ccf.jpg><img src=http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/5171925085_e0da1e931c.jpg>
<img src=http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4110/5177348000_3191c867be_b.jpg>
<img src=http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/5171759449_7d4b719cc4.jpg><img src=http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4106/5174948867_59540e1213.jpg>

What it cost me in a nutshell (not including shipping & handling):

- MDX Front Lower Trim (purchased from Curry Acura Parts in NY- website: www.curryacuraparts.com)
$215.58

- @$320.00 in labor for the chroming process (yes, the labor cost more than the part itself :eek: ...to each his own :rolleyes: )

- rubber sealing trim and 3 sets of rivet fasteners that already come attached to the MDX Front Lower trim will have to be removed by the chroming shop prior to the piece being exposed to the chroming chemicals etc... and then later re-attached by the bodyshop installing it back onto your MDX- my bodyshop installed the piece (while re-attaching the rubber sealing trim & 3 rivets fasteners- with a rivet gun) onto my MDX (process involves removal of front bumper pieces) all for about $100- which was still about $10 less than the Acura stealerships charge just for installing the MDX Front Lower Trim alone :29:

- MDX Front Lower Trim was left at ABC Custom Chrome for about a week- although they actually finished the chroming process in several days...

- Bodyshop work took about 3 hours.

- Recently had 3M Clear Bra film applied (@$90) to sections of the finished chrome piece since it does reside in an area of the MDX prone to lots of traffic- stones, road debris etc.

In the end, would I go through the whole process of chroming this piece after now knowing what it takes to complete it? :confused:

Yes, I probably would!- overall I think the chrome Front Lower Trim matches the various chrome accents on the front the MDX much better than the dull, powdered coated aluminum look that the stock MDX Front Lower Trim comes finished in from the factory... :4:
 
#29 ·
and the short answer is- YES it can be done! :29:

I had the front garnish (actually referred to as the 'MDX Front Lower Trim') chrome plated by ABC Custom Chrome in Waterford, MI (shop website: ABC Chrome - Custom Plating - Waterford, Michigan) via 'Bob' the shop owner this past July...

<img src=http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/5171696829_7872c5815a_b.jpg>
:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

WOW!!!!!!!!!

that's what i'm talking about!!! i have a WOMAN-crush on your MDX!!!! :29:

mr. maverick can we please trade cars?!!!!!!!!!! :eek:

awesome- i love it!!!! :29: :cool: :D ;)

~Priscilla :1:
 
#28 ·
wow - not many times have I truly had a nice man crush on someone's custom job - seriously - this is amazing maverick and the rims especially look nice with it. Overall, IMHO, this is the best looking MDX I've seen.

I will seriously consider copying this to both the back and front - what do you think it will look like with the '10's half grill on the front?
 
#30 ·
thanks for the props dink!!

hmmmmm, if i were modding a 2010 grill on a black mdx, i'm not too sure how the how a chromed out front trim would blend in with the silver/aluminum finish of the 2010 half grill...:confused: if might look really nice in the end :29:

<img src=http://www.acura.com/assets/acura2/accessoryshowcase/MDX/2011/overviewthumbnail/MDX0011030_FrontLowerTrim_oth_1.jpg>

A chromed out rear trim on a 2010 (& up) would definitely look nice IMO- the only reason that I don't have a rear trim to chrome on my 2007 MDX is because I originally had the Acura towing hitch installed prior to vehicle delivery, which does not allow for a concurrent install of the rear trim piece...

<img src=http://www.acura.com/assets/acura2/accessoryshowcase/MDX/2011/overviewthumbnail/MDX0011031_RearLowerTrim_oth_1.jpg>

<img src=http://www.acura.com/images/2011/colors-360s/MDX-exterior-color-crystalblackpearl.jpg>

If I had a black 2010 MDX, I might consider painting the half shield black (like another board member did to their white 2010 MDX in this thread: http://www.mdxers.org/forums/74-200...-front-trim-garnish-please-post-pictures.html ) to match the body (while leaving the chromed 'A' acura logo intact) and then chroming out both the front and rear trim pieces! If I didn't paint the half shield black, I might look into/consider the possibilty of having the front and rear trims machine polished- which might result in a better matching finish overall (might also be more cost efficient?). In the end it might actually look decent if nothing was done to the shield, while the front and rear trim piece were either chromed or polished...

Regardless of which route I took I would definitely inquire upon/find a way (regardless) to paint the lower grey portion of the front (and rear?) bumper(s) black to match the rest of the X's body :4:

<img src=http://www.mdxers.org/forums/attachments/2007-newer-mdx/41930d1289506397-2010-2011-front-trim-garnish-please-post-pictures-trevs-trio.jpg>

<img src=http://www.mdxers.org/forums/attachments/2007-newer-mdx/41931d1289506526-2010-2011-front-trim-garnish-please-post-pictures-trevs-front-painted.jpg>

cheers!
 
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