[enjikari]

I've been on a slow journey to de-silver/partially blackout the exterior my 17SS. I've de-badged and re-badged with both black badges and custom-painted (by me) others. The last two items I'm scratching my head over are: the front bumper grill vent's silver bars (see pic - on my 17SS the bar right under the light is silver) and the silver outline of the two bowties (front and rear). I don't have recent pictures of her yet with all my cosmetics (I will soon..) but my main theme is black and purple (grape).

I was hoping to take an easy route for the grill vents; as an example I found some super easy interior AC vent rings that just 3M-adhesion onto the stock 'rings'. I was hoping to find 3M-ons for those vent silver parts, but grape color, but I can't find anything like that. Closest thing I've found is the several "use this vinyl tape, and cut off the excess" vinyl kits that I've tried for the bowties but since I've had ZERO luck there I'm not gonna waste the time/money trying them on these grill vents. I guess at this point: buy some metallic/glossy Grape paint (and maybe some clear coat?) and paint over them? Suggestions?

Speaking of vinyl tape kits... I have tried three different vinyl kits for my bowtie. Not only do I suck ass at "use this blade/exacto(r) knife to cut the shape of the bowtie out of the vinyl once the tape is on", but the vinyl never sticks - my 17SS bowtie interior is textured. Honestly, I'd like to keep the black interior and have the silver part be grape/purple. But question A) I'd have to remove both bowties: one, how does the front one come off/go back on, and two, I can take the back one off easy but suggestions on re-application - literally just buy some standard 3M tape? And question B) how in the eff do you 'tape off' the interior so precisely so as to properly paint that exterior without the end result looking like butt -OR- am I thinking about this the hard way, does anyone know a better solution?

[arpad_m]

I installed black Screaming Chicken vinyl covers on the small grille chrome trim back in 2020, they're still perfect. You can paint the vinyl before installation, but they already offer a wide selection of colors, you may be able to find a close or even perfect match.

As to the bowtie outline, you can buy aftermarket black bowties, or you can do it the old school way, taping up the inside and outside of the badge still on the car. Come on, it might be time consuming, but it isn't that hard, you just finagle the tape for 30 minutes if necessary.

[enjikari]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

I installed black Screaming Chicken vinyl covers on the small grille chrome trim back in 2020, they're still perfect. You can paint the vinyl before installation, but they already offer a wide selection of colors, you may be able to find a close or even perfect match.

As to the bowtie outline, you can buy aftermarket black bowties, or you can do it the old school way, taping up the inside and outside of the badge still on the car. Come on, it might be time consuming, but it isn't that hard, you just finagle the tape for 30 minutes if necessary.

One of the issues with me painting the bow ties will be that I can't get tape to stick to the bow tie anyway. I can tape the outside, the silver part. But I can't really tape the interior of the bowtie, because it's textured. I can't get vinyl to stick to it, and I won't be able to get, say, painters tape to stick to it.

[Abubaca]

As for removing the front, there are a few video on YT about how to do it. Mostly the same technique, but some are a little different. I was going to do that soon, but haven't yet. ....I'm with arpad, just take your time. You could always paint the WHOLE bowtie one color, then tape the outside and then paint just the inner bowtie part. This way you never have to stick tape to the textured part.


For the back bowtie, yes, just buy some 3M tape from the parts store or lowes/HD.

[Chutzpah]

I ran into the same problem with the front Bow tie (paint sticking to chrome). Tried to remove it, but no go. I could see the tabs, but they weren’t moving enough to release. I was using some pretty decent leverage / large screwdriver (I have a LT1 front end). I gave up on the front (at least for now). Here’s a pic of the rear bow tie de-chromed / center section painted. When removing the rear bow tie, be careful.. the chrome edges are sharp ans hell and will dig into the paint if lifted improperly.

[enjikari]

So I'm gonna give the screamingchicken vinyls one try and see how it goes. If those suck/don't stick/don't last, I'ma figure out another way to handle those silver parts under the lights.

As for the bowties, well... I'ma start with the front one first - the difficult one. First I need to get it off - watching a couple videos, it doesn't see SUPER hard- hell I've done more difficult things/mods so far. Once I get the front bowtie off, IF I can get the two pieces separated it's easy peasy after that. If the front one goes well I'll do the rear bowtie. Any suggestions on re-application of the rear bowtie - just get some wide 3M tape and form it to the bowtie shape and stick'er on?

[Bad Anvil Garage]

Chrome can usually be removed from plastic by soaking the part in oven cleaner. Then clean and sand it prior to painting.

[Chutzpah]

Originally Posted by Bad Anvil Garage

Chrome can usually be removed from plastic by soaking the part in oven cleaner. Then clean and sand it prior to painting.

Yep, I read that at some point…last year. I soaked chrome aftermarket RS badges in oven cleaner and stuck them in a bag for hours. Did it a couple times and no luck. I’m renovating an early 70’s camper and will give it another shot on those badges, they’re white metal with chrome.

[Bad Anvil Garage]

Originally Posted by Chutzpah

Yep, I read that at some point…last year. I soaked chrome aftermarket RS badges in oven cleaner and stuck them in a bag for hours. Did it a couple times and no luck. I’m renovating an early 70’s camper and will give it another shot on those badges, they’re white metal with chrome.

It's possible that the chrome on plastic is better these days. I know it works for the type on model car kits.