De-Chromed Grand Wagoneer

[N2Jeeps]

I was wondering if anyone had removed the chrome around the doors and windows on a late model GrandWagoneer. I am painting mine 1977 Sun Orange with a black top and thought it might look better without the chrome.

Anyone have a picture or any idea how hard it would be to remove?

Thanks as always guys

Tony

[xupe45tgp]

Tony the chrome on the doors just comes off. It is kind of bent around the window frame. There is an overlap on the top corner of the window frame that I used to stick a screwdriver in and pry a little to get it started. It doesn't take too long. I will be in Clayton this weekend but maybe next week I can come by there and show you.

Tyler

[N2Jeeps]

Tyler

Hey thanks buddy. Do you.... .or anyone else have a pic of a Grand Wagoneer without the chrome trim around the doors and rear window?

Tony

Oh, be sure and take some good wheeling pics in Clayton!

[Towtruck]

I dechromed my pickup as far as possible (same chrome package as a Waggoneer on forward half). As mentioned, the side window pieces pop off. I also removed the windshield surround (screwed and glued on), painted the door lock tumblers, and painted the aluminum piece that goes around the back window...similar to a Wagoneer. The pieces around the rear window are polished aluminum and will hold paint with an etching primer as a base coat. I also painted the chrome vent window frames...etch primered them after a serious sanding...seem to be holding the paint OK.

[Tonka J200]

Lots of the early Waggys didn't come with the chrome window trim. Same with alot of the early trucks.

http://www.ifsja.org/readers/wagoneers/pictures/mvc-005f.jpg

[waynestiles]

I'm interested in the dechroming as well for my 87. Seems like I've read that some of the chrome trim covers some ugly body seams (like maybe around the windshield window). Does anybody have a list of what can be pryed/pulled off without uncovering something that would require bodywork and repainting?

[Lindel]

I took the windshield trim off my black Chero, looked much better IMO. The only other chrome parts on it was the grille and such.

[funhog]

I have the chrome off on my chief. It's not too hard to get it to pop off.

[PlasticBoob]

Oh boy, just wait until the Chrome-a-nator gets wind of this! :eek:

[Towtruck]

The only seams that are covered by trim on a pickup are around the back edge of the roof line...that squarish shaped stuff. Believe it's the same deal at the back of a wagon. Think it's brushed aluminum on the waggie like the truck, so scuff, prime and paint.

[fulsizjeep]

There will be fat clips screwed in the back & top areas that hold the trim (next to red dots). The forward post has adhesive tape holding the trim on (red line). That one is a little tougher to pry off, but they all pop off with a flat blade.

http://frontier.net/%7Emystkblu/parts/rsidewindow.jpg

[waynestiles]

Flint that helps, but which vehicle was that off of? If its the back quarter of a GW and the clips are rivited on that's mean drilling them out. filling the holes and repainting, so I hope its form something else.

[Lindel]

That is the rear quarter glass on a waggie, but they're screwed in. Not much difference, but MAYBE a little less work...

[Chrome]

You people are sick!! luckily they make medication for folks like you...
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http://www.physicianformulas.com/store/ProdImages/chromium.gif

[waynestiles]

Scott, too much of that stuff is toxic you know, It can cause subtle but serious brain damage:rolleyes:

lindel, thats what I was afraid of. either I pull it all and have the filling and repaint to do or remove some and black out the rest. any others that are held on with clips like that?

[Mud Buzzard]

My exterior trim and my grill are brushed aluminum. I was thinking of anodizing it black.

[COLOFIREMAN]

You people are sick!! luckily they make medication for folks like you...
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http://www.physicianformulas.com/store/ProdImages/chromium.gif

I'm with you chrome.....I too believe chrome can get you home, your dechromed buddies too.:D

[Chrome]

Scott, too much of that stuff is toxic you know, It can cause subtle but serious brain damage:rolleyes:

:confused: :confused: :confused: Dude...they're talking about removing the CHROME not eating it. :confused: :confused: :confused:

[caionneach]

Is there a practical purpose in the chrome trim around the front windshield? When I had my new windshield installed, the owner of the shop said it might leak a little since I didn't have that trim.

[Lindel]

All it does is dress up the gasket. My Cherokee never leaked (at the windshield...)

[waynestiles]

" Dude...they're talking about removing the CHROME not eating it. "


As I recall chromium picolinate is taken internally isn't it?:D

and while my coment was intended to be tongue-in-cheek there are hazards if you take too much. (my stepdaughter was prescribed it for a while)

[COLOFIREMAN]

All it does is dress up the gasket. My Cherokee never leaked (at the windshield...)

X2

I have been running mine like that for 2-years without any problems:thumbsup:

[Chrome]

lol I know just having some fun. Is your stepdaughter Diabetic? That's how I found out about it. The only thing I found it good for is bad jokes as you can tell. :thumbsup:

[Dmntxn77]

A couple years ago, someon posted pics of a black (IIRC) wag with the chrome removed, and the windows tinted VERY dark black..

I will see what the search turns up...

[Dmntxn77]

I cant find it... But I know its been posted...

[waynestiles]

Since I joined the site I have seen a number of de-chromed rigs--which has gotten me interesed in doing the GW that way. A number of the threads that talked about de-wood-ing them also showed dechromed rigs.
I'd like to dechrome/blackout/de-wood mine but the existing paint looks really good and I'm not ready to take on a lot of filling and painting that isn't currently needed. I'd like to figure out what can simply be peeled off, do that, and overpaint what can't.

[fulsizjeep]

Have seen nice lookin dechrome jobs on some FSJs. I have had my 88 since 95. Up until a couple years ago, the wood and most the paint looked pretty good. I had it repainted in 97 or 98. I was not interested in putting a lot of work in removing good trim myself. Since this wag is now pretty much dedicated to offroad use, I still ain't in a hurry to freshen up it's looks because I want it to stand up on it's tail if I need it to, not shine like a purty chrome thing. :D

[COLOFIREMAN]

Funny thing is I have always liked the way the CAT looked de-chromed


http://www.frontier.net/~mystkblu/04ouray/magmin/images/minnie_18_jpg.jpg (http://www.frontier.net/~mystkblu/04ouray/magmin/images/minnie_18_jpg.jpg)


http://www.frontier.net/~mystkblu/04ouray/imogene/images/imogene_04_jpg.jpg (http://www.frontier.net/~mystkblu/04ouray/imogene/images/imogene_04_jpg.jpg)

[N2Jeeps]

Thanks for all the replies guys.... I really like the pics of Caterpillar sans the window trim. If I was going for the restored look I would not take it off. But as I am going bright with the 1977 Sun Orange, black top, Rhino grill and the old 70's badges I think I will loose the trim.

Thanks again!!

Tony - N2Jeeps

[N2Jeeps]

Thanks for all the replies guys.... I really like the pics of Caterpillar sans the window trim. If I was going for the restored look I would not take it off. But as I am going bright with the 1977 Sun Orange, black top, Rhino grill and the old 70's badges I think I will loose the trim.

Thanks again!!

Tony - N2Jeeps