Hi Gang
It's been a while since I've posted and I'm finally (after 12 yrs!) doing some upgrades to my XF.
I'm going to have my chrome window moldings painted black and was wondering what folks think of Gloss Black or Matte Black?
Thanks for the advice!
Dave

 

I’m hoping do the same thing, so I’m curious about how you’ll go about it. Please keep us informed.

My plan has been to match the B-pillar trim covers, so I guess that is gloss. I think matt trim in that location would look as if it had faded, or a budget option.

 

You should leave them chrome, it matches all the rest of the accents including the grille.

 

I tend to agree. A car is like a beautiful woman. The jewelry is there to accentuate her curves, otherwise, dressed in full-length black, she looks like she's going to a funeral rather than to a party. Then again, I grew up in the era when black wheels and black trim around the windows meant that all you could afford was the base model.

But more seriously, painting them is a bit of a risk, as if you decide you don't like it, or the fashion trend changes, then you can't reverse it. Maybe you could have them vinyl wrapped instead of painted (they wrap whole cars and peel it off later so why not just the trim). Just an option to consider before you take the plunge.

 

The rarer Sport trim has all black, other companies have similar upgrades. But that's only if you prefer black over chrome, each have their own taste. I like both but wanted a sportier look so I took the Sport.

 

The X300 XJ Sport had all the chrome and stainless steel window trims replaced with satin black but that was over twenty years ago. The black trim areas on later models like the B-Post on my F-Pace are gloss black. I think gloss looks better but it's down to personal preference.

From a practical consideration, gloss will be the harder to get a good finish as it will show all imperfections.

Graham

 

Another recommendation to use a vinyl wrap. Easy to change if you don't like it or it gets damaged.
I will say there is a skill in installing it so consider using a shop unless you want to experiment.
.
.
.

 

Thanks for all of the feedback! Great comments... I'll post a picture when done

 

I wrapped mone, Easy to remove if you want to return to stock

Has stood up well.. 2 years parked outside. Use good wrap...

 

Thanks to all of the thoughts to everyone. I decided to go with a Satin finish. With the darker tint the gloss pillars blend in with that.
I hope the picture is visible



20220815_162215.jpg
2 MB

 

Better to post pictures directly to the forum rather than use any kind of hosting service. One they all die eventually and you can see this on all forums with the hundreds of threads with no pictures/red X's or cat's licking themselves. There just garbage tech companies here today and gone tomorrow.

So I can't see any pictures and get some kind of advertising using the link.
.
.
.

 

Please post the pics directly to the forum ... can't see anything with those links.

Did you paint or wrap?