Anybody installed the chrome strip?

[puertorico]

Hey guys I wondering if somebody installed the chrome strips on their cars, I was thinking of doing this mod but I don't know how hard this will be.

 

[BaywayRic]

Hey guys I wondering if somebody installed the chrome strips on their cars, I was thinking of doing this mod but I don't know how hard this will be.

Several on order, no reports of "self-installs" so far. Check out this thread...

http://genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/showthread.php?p=4245#post4245

One dealer did it for free.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Several on order, no reports of "self-installs" so far. Check out this thread...

http://genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/showthread.php?p=4245#post4245

One dealer did it for free.

FYI. I just added tags to that discussion (chrome,strips,strip) - this way it'll be easier to find with a tag search. I'm sure once those chrome strips come in, we'll have a separate discussion about them.

 

[puertorico]

alright keep us posted..thanks.

 

[Viking]

Had the dealer install the chrome trim for me this afternoon. It is sahweeeeet looking!!!!!

 

[BaywayRic]

Had the dealer install the chrome trim for me this afternoon. It is sahweeeeet looking!!!!!

Any charge or gratis?

 

[Viking]

I took it to the body shop of the dealer where I bought the car. They initially said it would be 1.2 hours of labor / $62. I think the guy that gave me the quote just plugged it into their computer and it told him 1.2 hours because they would have to open the inside of the car doors if I wanted the original trim popped out in such a way where I could reuse them later.

I told them I didn't care about reusing the original trim and asked to talk to the manager. Really nice guy. I told him that I had a friend who did the same thing at a dealer and it didn't take that long (thank you, genesisowners.com!) - but that I didn't want to try it myself and risk scratching the car. He asked what I thought was fair and I said $30 so we agreed on that price.

I probably could have had it done somewhere else for a few bucks less (or gone over to the dealer and pushed the issue) but it really wasn't worth any more time to save a few bucks and I am impatient.

 

[musher51]

Well, Viking, how do the chrome strips look? Are you happy with the outcome? You have a Titanium Gray car, right? How's the contrast? I'm thinking the chrome strips will really stand out on darker cars, but I assume it's a sharp look for all colors.

If you get a chance, please post a photo or two...thanks.

 

[Viking]

Musher 51,

I am happy with the outcome and like the look of the chrome strips but I agree with you - it makes a bigger difference / contrast on a black car like yours. I saw it on the black V-8 at the Discover Genesis event and it was a much bigger contrast than my Titanium Gray.

I will post some photos in the next few days when I get a chance..

 

[musher51]

I just posted a few photos of the aftermarket (V8) chrome strips in my album. I've been waiting for a sunny day to really capture the contrast, but it's been overcast lately, so cloudy shots will have to do...

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[ShoNuff]

Regarding the chrome strips, is KAI the only option for buying those? I haven't seen them sold elsewhere.

 

[puertorico]

Musher 51 how did you installed the strips and how hard is to install or if you did it at the dealer how much it cost for the installation. I herd that you have to pull the inside door panel to remove the stock strips.

 

[Viking]

Puertorico,

I paid $30 to have the dealer install my chrome strips. They told me that you do not have to pull the inside door panel unless you are bent on being able to reuse the original strips (I think he said that pulling the original moldings off can damage the clips that attached them - but wouldn't damage anything on the car).

 

[musher51]

Like Viking, I had the dealer install the strips, but they also installed the rear badge and the LED license kit for a total charge of $100, so it would seem like anything around $30 - 45 would be reasonable.

 

[chuman]

Installed the strips from KAI myself. It was pretty easy. It took about 20 minutes to do. Get a couple flat head screwdrivers (one medium sized one and one small jewelers type screwdriver). Make sure to work on removing the existing strips from the point where the front door and rear door are adjacent to each other (or in other words start from the rear of the front door and the front of the rear door). Open the front door and gently wedge the existing strip with the jewelers screwdriver. Once you get a big enough wedge, insert the medium screwdriver making sure you cover it with a cloth so you don't mangle the finish on the car. Twist the screwdriver and pull the strip away firmly, with constant pressure. You should hear a pop as you pull the strip away from the little plastic connector. Keep popping the strip off until it is separated from all the connectors and removed from the car.
Don't worry about the little white connectors that remain in the door; rotate them 90 degrees and they come out of the door quite easily. Then take some quick detailing solution and clean the spot where the strip was. There will probably be some sticky stuff from the double sided tape. Plus it gets quite dirty behind these strips. Take your new chrome strip, remove the peel for the double sided tape and pop the connectors into the holes in your door. Press hard to get the double sided tape to adhere, but don't press too hard. The sheet metal really flexes. Repeat for the rear door (the front door stays open and you begin wiggling the strip at the front of the rear door). Then do the other side. 20 minutes tops. One other comment: you can find cheaper strips online at eBay vs KAI, but the eBay strips have to be shipped from Korea and after you add the shipping, its better to get them from KAI (I think KAI is actually located in Phoenix).
CHUMAN

 

[JOwest]

Chuman,
Thanks for the tips.

One question. If you pop the plastic connectors inside the doors wouldn't they rattle inside while you drive, especially on rough roads?

 

[chuman]

Chuman,
Thanks for the tips.

One question. If you pop the plastic connectors inside the doors wouldn't they rattle inside while you drive, especially on rough roads?

When you pop the existing strip off, what happens is that you are separating the strip from the plastic connector. The plastic connector stays in the hole in the door. It doesn't actually drop into the door. You need to remove this plastic connector from the door...just rotate it 90 degrees and then you can jiggle it out of the door. If you don't remove the plastic connector, you won't be able to put the new strip into the door. I hope this makes sense. I'm probably OVER-explaining this. If you try to do this yourself, it will be very obvious and you'll be thinking, "Chuman used way too many words to explain this". I am pretty much ignorant about most car things, but this was simple for even me to do.
CHUMAN

 

[Calvin]

Chuman;

I have found that when it comes to installations you can never over explain. Your detailed technical description was as good as any shop manual could have done! Thanks for the details!!!!

Calvin

 

[LCgenesis]

Chuman,

did the chrome strips from KAI come with the clips needed to install, or did you have to reuse the clips that were already on the car?

Thanks

 

[chuman]

Clips are attached to the chrome strips and there is also some 3M double sided adhesive that is attached to the top of the chrome strips (no need to reuse the old clips). After you remove the old strips along with the old plastic clips, all you need to do is peel the 3M double sided adhesive and start popping the new chrome strip into place. Easy and satisfying.
Once you do this, you won't believe how easy it was. IMO, I think it was easier than doing the rear emblem, but slightly more difficult than the wheel caps.

chuman