I stripped the paint off of this top cover, then sanded starting with 400 and ended with 1500. A quick polish this is what it looks like. As discussed in a previous thread there are many reasons why polishing the entire vehicle would be a problem. Matching parts like the bumper covers and side skirts to name a couple. I think this cover would look good on a XK that is silver or maybe another metallic color. A polished hood might look sharp. What do you guys think?

 

Nothing is as shiny as polished stuffs . You did a good job if you ask me

 

Looks great, but I think on the car, I will be reminded of 18th century pewter spoons.

 

Another way to do an entire car in Chrome is use real "Chrome" paint. Alsa, a specialty paint company here in Los Angeles does this. They use a genuine chrome composite and spray it on, doing many cars completely. The finish is then protected with a clear coat. Here is a link showing how they do it;


Alsa Corporation

 

There is an X350 XJR which has been left as just alloy instead of painted in the Jaguar Heritage museum. I beleive they painted the plastic parts to match, but it's not a very shiny finish, more like a raw alloy colour.

 

Thanks for the paint info. I ordered a small sample to spray a test coat on a section of a bumper cover. I'am looking to match a polished alloy body panel with a clear coat.

Do you think a chrome car would be to reflective? Legal?

I may lose my enthusiasm for my alloy xk project. I am hours away from finishing this puppy and I had no idea how fast they go. Until today!!

 

Also has done quite a few of them in Chrome, as well as West Coast Customs here in Los Angeles. As far as the legal issues, it probably has a lot to do with the area where you live, so I would check with them. Hopefully, you got the "process", not just one of their cans. The cans don't actually come out as chrome, but more like polished aluminum. Here is the link for the actual chrome process Alsa Corp | Chrome FX Machines

 

BTW, here is a Alsa painted XK8, so it has been done, and depends on what you like. Personally, I think it's a little over the top, but then again, I like things a little more understated. This picture says it is a chrome wrap, but I am pretty sure this is Alsa's process; Chrome Jag XK8 Wrap | Flickr - Photo Sharing!