My '96 A4 is currently in the shop getting some body work done (rear-ended by 16-year-old - ack), and while it is in I wanted to see about getting the lower black moldings painted silver to match the body color. The tech at the shop said that this wouldn't be a good idea as it would likely peel and crack after a short while.

I checked the archives on this, and I found that a number of people have done this kind of paint job, but not many comments about the longevity of it. So, for those of you that have done this, how's it held up? Any tips RE the flex additive, etc?

I spoke to two body shops in LA about painting lower mouldings. One had never done it to an A4 before but thought the material wouldn't take the paint well. The other did it once to an A4 (and said he warned the owner about potential flaking), and the owner kept coming back several times because the paint was chipping off. The shop said they wouldn't want to paint my mouldings unless I promised not to blame him for future problems.

I had lower mouldings painted silver on my late (R.I.P.) '97 1.8Tqms.

Drove it for 26 months through 2 winters without any flaking whatsoever. Make sure that they add lots of flex to the paint. Sorry that I can't be more specific.

Really changes the look of the car completely. What a dumb idea to black out the bottom in the first place.

Stan (Toronto) '00 1.8Tqmx (Dec.)