best nethod for trim blackout?

[vujade]

whats the best method to black out the trim on your car?

do you just take it off and paint it?
or do you have to sand it first?
does it need to be primed first?

or finally would it be better to have it powder coated?

[samcat]

Or anodized (electro-plated).

I work with someone who used to do that for a living, he says a good electro-plater will be able to plate anything that is conductive and even some non conductive things. Apparently they apply a thin coat of conductive material first (if its non conductive - plastic?) then plate it as normal.

So you could plate your trim in any one of a number of colors!

Cya,
Sam C

[trevorbrady]

I attempted to black out the trim on my bug by sanding the chrome to roughen the surface, then spray with rattlecans. The immediate result was great, but after a few carwashes and splatted flies, it's begun flaking. I'm gonna have a fresh pair powdercoated next, it should be a lot harder wearing, and not flake off...

[bren]

ive taken all the laquer off mine, then keyed it up with 400grit wet n dry.. then i used a weird etch primer thats recommended by the paint co. im using.. then loads of really thin dusty layers of topcoat (satin) ive already knocked one of the pieces with a spanner, and dropped another section onto the floor and it didnt damage.. i'll let you know how it lasts in the long run though...