XJR makeover.

[J44EAG]

Hello Charlie,

I get the odd bit coming off now and again. Not much though. The plastic chrome needs to be well flatted with around P280 abrasive media, dusted off and acid etch primed to stand any real chance of staying on. Super-etch is the primer I have used successfully, thereafter wet flatting with P600 and then spraying with a rattle can of colour coat made specially at Halfords. Clear coat is then applied over the colour coat. Left for a couple of days to harden, the clear coat is wet flatted with P2000 wet and dry production paper before being buffed up with cutting compound. The difference between my new paint finish and that produced at the factory is undetectable.

Longevity has been reasonably good given that the substrate is far from a suitable material for overpainting. The paint is liable to motorway gravel rash so the next time I repaint, I`ll put on some of the clear plastic adhesive protection film which is easy enough to entertain. That is cheap enough.

Hope that helps.

Mike

[PPV]

Don't think my Mk2 would look as good without the chrome! Nice job though and good to see some options/ideas.
Regards,

[J44EAG]

I think a de-chromed MK2 would look quite wrong without its glitz. Chome was appropriate for the period and looks right.

As said, I don`t care for much if any chrome on a modern car. To my eye it looks like pastiche. I did try extra chome on my modern S-type at one time. Frankly, it just looked rediculous and over egged. When I see a great chrome grill on a 350, I always feel it makes the car look as if owned by someone of a geriatric overly conservative generation. The car just assumes an "old hat" disposition. Not for me. With everything colour matched, the whole design looks so much more cohesive. Chrome makes it look as if the car were designed by a committee with opposing and mis-matched ideas. In other words, a decided cobble up.

Mike