Does chrome front end need extra protection?
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Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2022
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Does chrome front end need extra protection?
Hi all,
I ordered a 2023 Lariat Ultimate in Canada, carbonized grey with the standard chrome front.
I was wondering whether the chrome would be durable, and what if anything you would recommend to protect it. Does the front end still need PPF? Thanks.
This will be my first truck ever.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
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Hi all,
I ordered a 2023 Lariat Ultimate in Canada, carbonized grey with the standard chrome front.
I was wondering whether the chrome would be durable, and what if anything you would recommend to protect it. Does the front end still need PPF? Thanks.
This will be my first truck ever.
I ran out of money when I outfitted my truck and couldn't afford a good PPF job, so I worry over rock chips constantly.
And, while the chrome on the bumpers is fairly resilient, the chrome on the plastic grill is not so much.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2022
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Well, PPF is self described, paint protection film, and there is still plenty of painted surface even on a chrome bumper/grill truck.
I ran out of money when I outfitted my truck and couldn't afford a good PPF job, so I worry over rock chips constantly.
And, while the chrome on the bumpers is fairly resilient, the chrome on the plastic grill is not so much.
I ran out of money when I outfitted my truck and couldn't afford a good PPF job, so I worry over rock chips constantly.
And, while the chrome on the bumpers is fairly resilient, the chrome on the plastic grill is not so much.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,482
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A good applicator can do the letters, but it's not just the face of the hood that gets chipped, all across the top of the hood can get them, and the area above the windshield and the "A" pillars, and the top areas of the fenders too. And of course the mirrors.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2021
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if those headlights were better, that is still my favorite SD front end after OBS
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Lead Driver
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The bumper itself wont need it, but the chromed plastic does, it will chip and pressure washing could get under and lift it from the plastic. Happened on a 16 F-150 I had. The 18 that I had, I did PPF on the bumper, grill, hood and fenders, and I found many places in the film where rocks would have chipped the grill.
That said, the grill on the 23 is so thin, that putting film on will be difficult and may not be worth the time or effort as there is far less surface area to cover or get hit. PPF the hood and fenders.
That said, the grill on the 23 is so thin, that putting film on will be difficult and may not be worth the time or effort as there is far less surface area to cover or get hit. PPF the hood and fenders.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: The Great State of Texas
As for the headlights I installed LED's and readjusted them. Also installed LED's in the fog lights as well.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2020
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From: CNM
The bumper itself wont need it, but the chromed plastic does, it will chip and pressure washing could get under and lift it from the plastic. Happened on a 16 F-150 I had. The 18 that I had, I did PPF on the bumper, grill, hood and fenders, and I found many places in the film where rocks would have chipped the grill.
That said, the grill on the 23 is so thin, that putting film on will be difficult and may not be worth the time or effort as there is far less surface area to cover or get hit. PPF the hood and fenders.
That said, the grill on the 23 is so thin, that putting film on will be difficult and may not be worth the time or effort as there is far less surface area to cover or get hit. PPF the hood and fenders.
Anybody ever use that stuff?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2021
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The whole point of a lot of us guys getting chrome over painted or plastic is because it stands up and requires no protection. In Canada it will eventually (10 plus years) get pitted and rust from winter use with or without extra layers of protection. Nothing stays new and beautiful long for those of us living in cold climates.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2022
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IME, the chrome holds up fine with no additional protection. You can do as much or little as you like but the leading edge of the hood will take a beating without protection. I put a "bug deflector" on the front of mine. Thinking of a PPF for the front of the dually fenders and above the front windshield.
Dave
Dave
More Turbo
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From: Huttonsville, WV
Oh Boy, you're gonna get the LED police going!!!!