Tailgate paint cracking, and tantalizing chrome showing underneath

[FamilyTruckster]

Hi Everybody,
First post here. On our (just purchased) 2008 CX-9 GT AWD on the tailgate the paint is cracking.
I know this is an issue, but am I out of luck with a dealer at this point?

Also, was thinking of scrapping it off and just having the Chrome show through.
Has anyone tried this and if so are there any pictures I can be directed to?

Have not been in a forum since my Audi TT. Looking forward to Mazda!

Thanks,
John

 

[FamilyTruckster]

Paint coming off, so far so good..

Ok well since I have not heard from anyone just yet, I have decided to scrape off the paint and have the chrome show through.
Its a little disconcerting scraping the paint, but so far its coming off well. I will post pics for anyone who is interested.

 

[table5511]

Welcome! Chrome under paint? I am confused.

 

[FamilyTruckster]

Chrome under paint -before and after.

Ok Folks. I took a flathead xacto knife and scraped the paint off off the panel next to the rear Mazda emblem.
I am not sure why Mazda decided to paint the chrome, perhaps it was a last minute design finesse
decision, but painting on top of chrome just does not make sense to me so I removed it.

I have to say I am very happy with the results. Neighbors look at you like you are crazy while doing it however.

Hope the pics make sense.

 

[FamilyTruckster]

Follow-up question. Should I seal the edges of the paint I removed? If so, what product would you recommend? I can imagine corrosion finding its way in down the line.

 

[table5511]

What the.... First off, I don't think anyone on this forum would have guessed that the tailgate applique was painted chrome, with a chrome insert (GT Models). I'm assuming sport & touring models are painted chrome as well? and Second, this is the first I have heard/seen on this forum of paint peeling off the applique.
It is a plastic applique so as far as the "edges" go, the applique is installed onto the surface of the painted tailgate, so corrosion should not be an issue. They paint the tailgate at the factory and then install the plastic applique onto it.

Weird, very weird.

 

[table5511]

*note - some folks have experienced paint chipping at the corners of the applique where it meets the tailgate on each side. Either those folks just got a bad paint job or they slam their tailgate instead of gently allowing the electronic latch do its job. But in your situation, that is neither here nor there.

 

[FamilyTruckster]

*note - some folks have experienced paint chipping at the corners of the applique where it meets the tailgate on each side. Either those folks just got a bad paint job or they slam their tailgate instead of gently allowing the electronic latch do its job. But in your situation, that is neither here nor there.

Well chrome is more of a series of chemical baths than being painted on, the only metal adherence I know of that is stronger would be enameling. That being said I think if I had to do it again I would have prepped the paint chemically first to soften it up a bit, there are some very minute scratches due to me be being over eager. I do enjoy the look though, and might post better pics soon.

 

[grzesiuskow]

Hahahaha, i wonder how many more people will now start to scrape their tailgates to look like this

 

[FamilyTruckster]

I'm telling ya! Everyday I like it more and more!

 

[Cichan]

FYI - There's more chrome behind the main M emblem

Learned that the hard way when I removed them emblem to paint it black... got a little carried away trying to remove the residual adhesive and ended up removing the paint.