Chrome delete has been a steady growing trend in the automotive industry for years. Traditional chrome trim on cars has garnered a reputation as an outdated design element. It’s apparent when you see new car manufacturers like Tesla whose designs don’t incorporate chrome accents. This is likely because most chrome trim is now plastic and perceived as a cheap distraction to the vehicle’s design.
What is a chrome delete car?
A chrome delete is the process of covering up all chrome accents on a vehicle’s trim to remove it, hence the term “delete”. It’s a quick and easy modification that’s often done with a vinyl wrap, paint or replacement parts. Chrome deletes are usually black although some are color matched to the vehicles body paint. Black trim helps to mute the trim accents and give the car a new sophisticated style.
How long does a chrome delete last?
The lifespan of a chrome delete is 5 to 7 years with a vinyl wrap, or permanent if you use either paint or replacement parts. Vinyl wraps do require special care if you want them to last as long as possible. In particular they should be kept clean of road debris, sap, bird droppings, and any fuel leakage by the gas tank. When cleaning a wrapped car, it’s best done by hand. If you go through the car wash, touchless car washes are way better than mop ones since they don’t pull on the vinyl which can cause peeling.
Certain parts of the car won’t hold up well if wrapped such as fine window trim and certain door handle designs. Window trim in particular is something that we almost always recommend painting when possible.
It’s best to go to a reputable shop that warranties their work. There are a lot of vinyl horror stories where people not only waste their money for a poor wrap job, but have their car permanently damaged during the wrap install. Properly set-up shops like ours are 3M Certified and offer warranties to protect your purchase in case there are any issues.
How much does a chrome delete cost?
You can expect to spend between $600 – $8,000 to chrome delete your car. The cost of a chrome delete varies based on the vehicle parts being covered and the method used to delete the chrome trim. Certain vehicles have more chrome trim than others and require more time, effort and resources.
Many people will delete the chrome on sections of their car over a period of time to lower the upfront cost. Others will simply just delete the chrome on their emblems which is the easiest part of a car to personalize.
How to chrome delete a car?
If you want to give your ride a chrome delete you can choose between wrapping, painting, or using replacement parts. Each of these have advantages and disadvantages to know before you make a decision.
1. Wrapping
Wrapping the chrome with an automotive grade vinyl is the easiest and most flexible way to change its appearance. Vinyl wraps will last up to 7 years when properly applied and cared for. They can also be removed without any damage to the vehicle’s original appearance. This lets you return to the factory look if you’re trying to sell or it lets you create a different style later on.
| PROS | CONS |
| Can return to original look | Can’t always fully cover vehicle |
| Most affordable | Not permanent |
| Lots of styling options | Difficult to color match |
2. Painting
Painting is a long-term solution that can be more easily color matched to the finish of the body paint. This method can cost a bit more but will last much longer than a wrap. With painted parts there comes the risk of chipping, but that can be fixed by applying paint protection film (PPF).
| PROS | CONS |
| Can match colors | Requires skilled labor |
| Middle pricing | Takes longer |
| Full coverage of vehicle | Can not return to original |
3. Chrome Delete Kits
The last option is blackout replacement parts that you can interchange. These parts are usually most permanent and durable but can be difficult to find since not many quality manufacturers make them. As a result of this they can vary greatly in price and be difficult to color match. We carry blackout kit solutions for many vehicles and are always working to expand our catalog. Currently our most popular blackout kit is for the GMC Yukon Denali.
| PROS | CONS |
| Very durable | Most expensive |
| Longest life span | difficult to color match |
| OEM parts available | Hard to find |
Why chrome delete a car?
Giving your car a chrome delete is a major appearance upgrade. This style works well with any color, make, and model of vehicle all the way from sedans to pickup trucks. It’s a look that is still fairly rare to see but has a modern appeal that’s growing in popularity. In fact, newer models of vehicles like the Ford Maverick have all black trim levels. While others are starting to include more black trim like the Kia Telluride “X-Line” models.
When your car is still in good shape, but you want something new, consider a chrome delete to restyle its exterior. You can even use a chrome delete mod along with other additions like custom wheels, tinted windows, or vinyl graphics to make a more customized look.
If you’re looking for someone to do a chrome delete near St. Louis, MO we can help. If you are from out of town, we offer pick-up and delivery services across the contiguous United States! Restyle your vehicle with VIP Auto Accessories!
Looking for other ways to customize your ride? Browse our services and accessory catalog.
You can also checkout our showroom for inspiration on ways you can customize your ride!
