I can't find on "search" whether someone posted about having their lower black plastic side, wheel arches, front, and rear trim painted to match the body? I've seen the SEMA Jeep pic in Grey, but wanted to know if anyone else had theirs done too with the factory parts?
There's a dealership in my area that will do it for you.
They had a white wk2 in the showroom with all those areas painted and it didn't look bad at all. It definitely gave it a more custom/lower look. It basically included all the black plastic areas including the front and rear lower bumpers and around wheel arches.
I agree though about the durability of it though as those areas will be the first to take a beating. To me, that's why they're made of the durable plastic.
If you get them painted, be sure the body shop adds a flex additive. Should be common sense to most, but if they don't it will crack in one year and there you are...
im going to eventually do it. I had my explorer mud flaps painted same color as lower trim on my last vehicle. He sanded them down smooth and did add a flex agent to he paint. They held up for 8 years with no issues.
Personally, I like the black/gray trim on my vehicle and for my purposes... but I then again my Jeep is black so it isn't as noticeable and I am going for an off-road look with a lift and rock sliders.
However, if I had a different color Jeep (silver or white for example) I would be more inclined to paint the areas (it does look great on the SEMA Jeep). I still may do it because it looks sharp and if I did I would get the areas protected with the 3M invisible material after - like we all get for the front of the vehicle. Now, it won't protect against flexing and cracking but will help from stone chipping.
I agree. Once I take delivery, and get ahead, I'm planning on painting it all. I've got a body shop that's sanded and painted textured plastic interior and exterior trim on other vehicles, and have done a really great job.
I'm also probably gonna paint the mirrors and door handles, and am even toying with the idea of removing and filling the "chrome" Grand Cherokee pieces on the sides / doors as well.
I color matched my black Audi all road 2003 in 06, front and rear, and it has stood up beautifully, so I would do it to my jeep, however it is blackberry so it probably be not as noticeable.
I hate that they left them unpainted. They will hold up completely fine being painted. If I end up buying an Overland as the next vehicle, I will be painting all of mine immediately. Anyone who gets this done, please post pictures.
I read this post back on 8/9 and it has been bothering me ever since, I knew that a member had painted the lower trim of his WK2 & posted pictures but I could not find the thread. So here is the link to the thread, & pictures of the members ride.
"2011hemigc4me"
There are more pics on picasa, and a pic below. Now I can sleep at night knowing I found this thread...
How can we find out where he got it done???? I live in NYC and he shouldn't be too far from me. The question now is go with sth like that for the Overland or Chad's srt8 replica???? From the pics on his website I only see front and rear pieces, the side and wheel plastic pieces seem to be left untouched. This, though, is not a bad look at all!!!!!!
You can purchase body coloured or paintable lower fascia and wheel flare trims from jeep. If your going down that route I wouldn't be painting the black plastic that comes standard, but each to their own.