Even though it appears that many of you have made modifications to your XF, I've not seen any with the windshield surround/bezel in body color.

Why is this? Best I can come up with is it then would make the a-pillar look heavy - and it is a pretty substantial pillar.

Or is it always left as is, somewhat like the Audi A8's vertical side panels which originally were mostly in silver to give it an extra distinctive touch?

If someone's done it, especially if it is a black XF, I'd like to see a photo/photos.

 

I'm sure the original designers went with the silver color to have it stand out a bit. A few members have painted their surrounds to match the body paint (usually with black cars). One of our local members just bought an SE roadster and it came with the surrounds painted red. The car sure does look nice.

 

itsky, thanks for the quick reply. Since my black XF coupe has the 'Cedar' (redish-brown) interior I've thought about a red surround somewhere between a bright red and the cedar. Something like the XF's Blaze Red Pearl paint, but without the Pearl.

 

IMHO it just looks right. Ever notice the Saturn Sky? It has the same silver surround.

 

All Base Crossfires are black with black window surround.

 

I bought a second set to have painted. In a matter of minutes I can go back to silver. James

 

Stick with the red James. Looks good.

 

James, the body color surround does look righter (to coin a phrase).

Generally I know what I think looks good and what doesn't, and it did cross my mind to not only paint the surround the same as yours but to also paint the wheels the same. The photo below was my XF's roommate from TX to SoCal. More than a bit boy racer, but cool. The red/red might be a bit more subtle, but not a lot.

And then there is black surround and black wheels. Too Darth Vadery? Probably.

But it is fun to kick these things around.

Help -- I'm unable to upload the file PorscheRS.jpg and am being told what file extensions are okay. Obviously jpg is one of them. Perhaps if I used all of the file extensions so 'it' could take its choice...

 

Red coupe with black surround100_0950.jpg

 

I have never really been a fan of body matched colored wheels, unless it is silver. I have always favored silver or chrome wheels on any car - old school.

Thanks for the compliments. It seems the Porsche wheels do work for that car.

James

 

I like your red surround better. Nice.. Squirrel Crusher

 

James 1549, or anyone, how are the windshield surrounds safely removed? I'm guessing at the two left/right seams.

And do you start from the glass side or the paint side?

I was hoping to get them painted today, but I'd kick myself if my removal guess turns out to be wrong.

Biba

 

I think you start on the glass side.
Look here.

 

From the glass side, I used a plastic mini pry bar. The top piece must be removed before the sides. James

 

I agree

...

 

onehundred80, your timing was perfect. Knowing where the clips are located and what they look like made all of the difference in the world.

I did start with the upper piece by prying under the glass as suggested. What I didn't realize that after releasing the clips on the outside all around, it was still stuck on. Then it was a matter of releasing the inner portion of all 11 of the clips.

Fortunately the outer portion of the surround sticks up after releasing all of the outer clips. Meaning, you can use a somewhat thin screwdriver and pry from the painted side without doing any damage to the body paint.
I keep a supply of 3M vinyl tape on hand which gives a clean edge so there should be no paint on the rubber once completed painting.

Biba

 

Not sure where you had to use 3M tape. My silver trim snapped off, the new ones snapped right back on.

 

Mine is color matched. Black with black surround.

 

Mersler, the (almost) totally blacked out look is great. I only wish I could go with darkened windows, but night driving for me is enough of a problem as it is.

Today is paint day for me.

Biba