My painter is prepping the trim as we speak and asked if I want gloss or satin trim. Since I've gone metallic, I really can't decide if I want the trim to be satin or not. My XF mirror trim is satin finished bit the b pillars and all my chrome is gloss black.
Satin would be much more forgiving but gloss may look better. The paint is sooo black unless the sun really hits it, it won't be obvious if its gloss. I'm afraid it may look like he forgot to paint the trim if I go gloss black. Or I can go body color but I think it needs some contrast.
HELP!!

 

A vote for satin. Save the gloss for the interior.

 

It seems like the trim should complement the wheel color/shine. Otherwise it may end up a hot mess of disparate elements. I would want it to look well thought out and cohesive.

 

philhef,
Are you talking about the trim up A pillar exterior and base of side mirrors? And are you painting them the charcoal color of oem or are you painting them body color? I would go gloss either way.

 

The trim is windshield surround, bottom of side windows, mirror edges, a pillars.
I put a gloss black trim piece beside the paint and it looks so similar that it looks like we forgot to paint it the dark brown. The satin black looks intentional, and the body color looks like we didnt mask anything.
I too thought gloss but it really doesn't look right somehow.
If I don't like it satin, I can always have it painted gloss. Much easier to start with satin, then gloss if necessary.
Oh, and the charcoal/Dorchester grey looks BAD against this color.

 

Just had a suggestion to paint it a satin silver color. Hmmm

 

Phil

I would
Chose which wheels your going with and match them.

 

These.
He's just using old ones while painting.

 

With these centers I'm making.
You know, I spend hours making this stuff and probably I'm the only one that notices!! Lol

 

I thought about the calipers being the black walnut too. With silver letters.

 

 

Just put this in your signature and look at it everytime you have second thoughts...

 

Decision made! Window trims in satin black (blends with rubber seals) and mirrors body color with chrome caps.
I had some old x type chrome covers and when we held them up to car, they looked awesome with the wheels and stainless grille!! DONE!!

 

I definitely like the painted calipers to match with silver letters, and the stainless grill totally goes with the car as far as I can see so far.

 

Maybe flat black or powder coated wheels?

Are you planning on tinting the windows as well?

 

Satin black

 

Windows were the first thing I did when I bought it!!

 

Leaving the wheels (new ones) silver with alloy rims. This color doesn't work with all black or even much black paint.
I've a new mindset on my cars. My XF is totally black packed out, sport as much as it can be, and my XK8 is going Up Market! With a bit of BadBoy Brit!

 

That color should've been a factory option! It looks hot. I'm amazed at how fast your body shop guy is working. How long has he been working on the car? About a week?

 

He got it oct 11 and did a lo
The the first three days, then when I left town for a week, he kind of got distracted otherwise he should have been done last Friday. Now he's trying to be finished by this Friday. I'm a little pissed he dropped the ball, hence the fast results now.