TomT
Technical Maven
I like the chrome on my Midnight Silver Metallic. I'm not a de-chrome fan...
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Chrome Add Thread for 2021 M3
- Thread starter EV Promoter
- Start date
It's a hopeless battle. As you have probably seen, I have corrected people many times on this form that it is no way no how chrome. You'd have to be completely incompetent and blind to look at that trim and then a piece of real chrome and say they are the same finish. I mean, does it look like a mirror??
It doesn't help that employees of Tesla misquote it as being chrome because these easily misguided people go around spewing that they confirmed it's chrome from Tesla themselves. About 1 in 100 Tesla employees have any clue what they are talking about with anything related to Tesla cars.
For the record, it's anodized aluminum trim. This type of finish is incredibly common with different car brands now. And when the finish gets damaged, like chrome, it can not be buffed or polished to correct it. It has to be replaced or wrapped or painted.
It would be good if someone could set up a swap-a-trim for the Model 3 so people that like one or the other could get what they want.
Dolemite
is my name
Sandy Munro calls it "chrome" too which confuses the hell out of me - there's been more than one occasion where he says some really perplexing stuff. Given his immense experience and knowledge, though, I end up questioning my own sanity.
Let's Drive
Member
My take is that it's a misnomer (like many other things automotive), that's generally referring to the metallic appearance and reflective finish aesthetic, as opposed to the literal material type. I'm largely indifferent, since I typically know what the person means and is aiming to remove, but I've heard it when referring to polished aluminum, titanium, and stainless steel (when talking about metals), or colored chrome details (on everything from wraps to nail polishes), so it varies.
If the discussion gets into "what is x actually made of", like you did, then someone elaborates, but rarely in a casual discussion like most threads, here. To me, it's similar to calling wheels "rims", stepping on the "gas", and putting down "horsepower"...not the most accurate, but we get by.
The problem is maintenance. You clean chrome with chrome cleaners. You don't want to use chrome cleaners on non-chrome surfaces. Plus, chrome is not likely to be damaged by harsh detergents. The anodized aluminum has proven to be susceptible to staining from certain detergents, so you need to be more careful with it than chrome.
Bottom line, unlike you claim, it matters and it's not just semantics. Ignorance is not bliss in this case.
Dolemite
is my name
I'd considered that possibility, but he's mentioned several times how chrome is harmful to the environment within that context and that it's a good thing Tesla decided to drop it from the 3/Y. So I dunno. Grain of salt and all that.
They didn't drop a lot of chrome, did they? The trim is anodized aluminum. The T emblems are chrome, but they kept those didn't they? A couple of other things are chrome, but the bulk is anodized aluminum. Repeat after me, a-n-o-d-i-z-e-d a-l-u-m-i-n-u-m !
Let's Drive
Member
To be clear, I never claimed it doesn't matter- I specifically gave a nod to that detail in my second paragraph. What I did express, is that given context, I understand what many people mean when they say "chrome", especially when the topic is focused on a color change. By extension, the term is overused, and so mistakes like Sandy's can happen.
Feel free to keep up with the effort, but the debate you're fishing for isn't with me.
I see what you mean, and he's probably well-intentioned on the environment part, but probably just got it wrong with this specific car, so agreed, some salt is warranted.
I agree I dont like the new black trim, for me the best looking is either chrome or the same color as the rest of the car. Black just looks like cheap plastic...
drdumont
Member
The bright trim just around the windows, on the door handles and the gorgeous wheels really make the car pop. I daresay it looks very nice on the red.
Why you would want ugly black on a gorgeous blue or red car is beyond me.
IMHO, chrome or no chrome should be an option. We've progressed past Dagmars and Cruiserlane Ventiports. and all the rest of the excesses of the 60s and 70s, but A little bright accent on such lovely cars is so welcome.
I just recently came across this site, which sells a chrome-delete kit made out of ABS plastic: Chrome Delete Kit (Matte Black) for Tesla Model 3
I'm looking for the opposite. My wife wants to add "chrome" trim to her white MY, citing that it looks too storm trooper with the black trim. Here's hoping they or some other vendor will offer a "black trim delete kit" soon.
I'm looking for the opposite. My wife wants to add "chrome" trim to her white MY, citing that it looks too storm trooper with the black trim. Here's hoping they or some other vendor will offer a "black trim delete kit" soon.
drdumont
Member
For the sake of this discussion, can we just stipulate that the seat covers did not originate as the outer covering of an animal, and the shiny trim on the Tesla is not actually made from the 24th element in the periodic table?
drdumont
Member
I have asked several vendors about this. All give me some song and dance about not having the right material.
I'm wondering if you could buy a chrome delete kit and have it chromed, plated, or powder coated to get
rid of that horrid black on a Red or Blue Tesla.
The black really snaps on a white Tesla, but I just don't see the black on a red or blue car.
VENDORS!!! ARE YOU HEARING THIS??? THERE'S MONEY ON THE TABLE!!!
Rmchrger
Member
Someone say chrome??? Sorry I haven't seen any aftermarket options for window trim. But I do love chrome, and yes these are actually chrome not a-n-o-d-i-z-e-d a-l-u-m-i-n-u-m...
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