Trim Blackout - Matte or Gloss Black?

[Phray]

Been wanting to black out my trim for awhile now in order to complete the "black out" look I'm going for. Black on black, baby. Anyways, I'm trying to decide whether I want to do the trim gloss or matte black. If you have any pictures of a black car (preferably a b8 audi) with matte vs gloss black trim, please post them here to help me decide or simply reply with your personal preference to help sway me one way or another. I've decided the easiest option for me at the moment is Shadowline (http://shadowlinetrim.com/index.html). I've seen countless good reviews of it and am quite a lot more comfortable working with vinyl "tape" than say Plasti Dip (I'm pretty experienced with spray paint, but I feel like I'm going to inevitably mess something up with this stuff).

My trim looks like the image below (like most of yours I would imagine).



It's really a more difficult decision for me since the chrome that I would be blacking out lies between a matte black and a gloss black surface (the rubber lining around the doors to seal weather out and the paint of the car).

For right now I'm leaning towards gloss black, but don't want to regret my choice so I thought I'd turn to you guys for inspiration and for your opinions to help me decide

[r6_11b8]

id go with gloss..will compliment your windows especially if they're tinted

[bakerrrr]

If you're unsure about gloss or flat black id do once side flat black with plastidip see how you like that, then put a few coats of glossifier over it to make it gloss black. Thus you could have a better idea of what it would look like.
I blacked out the trim in my old c250 and a e350 with plastidip and it's not that difficult to do just takes some time.

[B G 8er]

Semi-Matte if that's another option.

[Project Quattro]

This one is right in my wheelhouse lol. Matte black all the way. Premium trim levels (which I have) came with matte trim around the windows, and I Plasti dipped the grille to match. It makes a nice contrast in the sun and looks uniform in anything other than bright sunlight. I posted a DIY thread for Plasti dipping the grille a while back, and the steps would be the same for the window trim or anything else you wanted to do. The stuff is almost foolproof; as long as you put on enough coats it'll peel right off if you mess up, and if you don't use enough coats you can remove it with adhesive remover.

Pictures:







Edit: I just realized that you're local; if you decide to go the Plasti dip route I can probably help you out in person.

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[homelessNY_LI]

Very nice project blackout

[Phray]

This one is right in my wheelhouse lol. Matte black all the way. Premium trim levels (which I have) came with matte trim around the windows, and I Plasti dipped the grille to match. It makes a nice contrast in the sun and looks uniform in anything other than bright sunlight. I posted a DIY thread for Plasti dipping the grille a while back, and the steps would be the same for the window trim or anything else you wanted to do. The stuff is almost foolproof; as long as you put on enough coats it'll peel right off if you mess up, and if you don't use enough coats you can remove it with adhesive remover.

Pictures:







Edit: I just realized that you're local; if you decide to go the Plasti dip route I can probably help you out in person.

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Yeah I think I've seen you around AZ before. You live in Fairfield County as well, yeah?

Also, have any more pictures of that dipped grille? Considering doing that or buying a black optics package grille, but I would have to buy it from someone in germany or otherwise since they're hard as hell to track down in the states.

[Project Quattro]

Yeah I think I've seen you around AZ before. You live in Fairfield County as well, yeah?

Also, have any more pictures of that dipped grille? Considering doing that or buying a black optics package grille, but I would have to buy it from someone in germany or otherwise since they're hard as hell to track down in the states.

I'm in Fairfield County as well, Trumbull specifically.

This yields a similar look to a Black Optics grille from a distance, but it's matte and not a completely smooth finish up close. I'm really happy with it, although I'll probably get an RS grille eventually. The whole grille project can be done in 2 hours for about $30; the window trim takes longer because the masking is tedious.

More pictures, one of which is pre-drop and tints:








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[Nastybutler]

I went with satin black trim wrap as that's what @mops and pretty much everyone who's done it recommended not to mention it was what the guy who did my wrap suggested as well. It's nearly a perfect match for the black windshield surround and mirror housing (not the body colored/brushed aluminum outer covers, but the rest of it). Turned out great.

[Phray]

I'm in Fairfield County as well, Trumbull specifically.

This yields a similar look to a Black Optics grille from a distance, but it's matte and not a completely smooth finish up close. I'm really happy with it, although I'll probably get an RS grille eventually. The whole grille project can be done in 2 hours for about $30; the window trim takes longer because the masking is tedious.

More pictures, one of which is pre-drop and tints:


Sent from my iPhone 6 using Tapatalk

Where'd you get your tint done btw?

[Project Quattro]

Where'd you get your tint done btw?

Matt Green at 400 Tint does my cars, he does great work and I wouldn't use anyone else. His prices are competitive and he's mobile, he'll come to your place to do the tinting (as long as there's an outlet available for a heat gun). He uses ceramic films with a lifetime guarantee against fading. His number is (203) 400-8468. Let him know that Jordan with the Audi referred you and he'll hook you up.


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[Mops@Nemesis]

I went with satin black trim wrap as that's what @mops and pretty much everyone who's done it recommended not to mention it was what the guy who did my wrap suggested as well. It's nearly a perfect match for the black windshield surround and mirror housing (not the body colored/brushed aluminum outer covers, but the rest of it). Turned out great.

Yep, and I used and highly recommend Oracal. Not sure if relevant, but electrical tape is an easy way to test the look. I could not find any pics showing it well, but this may help…

IMG_2588 by Audiyos, on Flickr

If you have tint, I recommend not going with gloss for sure. The contrast with the satin in between glossy paint and glass works best.

[Okan509]

^ on the 4, there is so much of that black plastic, and it's more of an amber color, which clashes hard with satin. It was why I removed my wrapped trim.

go gloss on the 4, go whatever your preference on the 5.

[o1turbo30v]

Satin