how do we get the shift plate out in order to make it chrome? does the shift knob screw off and then the plate pops out? i read the old threads about stripping the paint on the shift plate but i don't recall how to get the plate passed the knob.
thanks in advance

 

Unscrew the knob and take that off. Then, slide something thin (I used a knife) under the black trim that is outside the trim to be chromed. Pop that up, disconnect the light, and remove it. Now, there should be just the gray trim to take off, it is held on pretty well by 4 clips, 2 on each side. I found this to be the hardest part. You have to bend the plate out and over the tab, but it is pretty stiff. Be careful not to slip, because you can scratch the entire finish off down to a weird white color (the plastic). I used some paint stripper to remove the gray. I applied it, let it sit, and wiped it off. It took a few applications, especially on the vertical parts, but it was worth it.

 

Yeah, I did mine last week! It's suprisingly easy however all the solvents I used to take the paint off would not loosen the paint, just soften it... I had the scrape off all the old gray paint with my fingernail and messed up on one part and scratched a small part of the plate... Overall it looks a look more luxurious and classy, and matches the interior better. I think I will be getting the Factory Metal chrome one from the RL though! Only downside to this mod is fingerprints show up a lot easier!

 

And yes, if you dont want to fiddle around too much, the 2004 RL's chrome shift plate is a direct fit. Costs 10 to 20 bucks.

 

HI,
I used the 90% Alcohol rub to get the paint off. Or straight out bleach but wer gloves. I had to apply 3-4 times until it reveiled a chrome finish. I didnt even know that there was a chrome finish under that paint. Thought it was plastic or something until one of you mention it somewhere in this forum.
Thanks guys!
Here is a picture how it should look like,

Crome finished

 

Looks great! What year is your RL ?

 

No, not my car. Its just a picture I found on eBay.
Its a 2004 RL.

 

to unscrew the knob do you just hold it as if you were shifting gears and twist?

 

Something like that. Just think that you're twisting the top off of a beer bottle or a bottle of liquer. If you can do that, then I'm sure you can take the knob off.

 

Oh ok.

And here I was thinking you had recently purchased an RL and done the work to it as well

 

It's chromed so that it can handle the massive wear and tear of the shifter banging against it for years. If they didn't chrome it that plate would last a couple years.

You'll find most plastic parts that are installed in heavy wear or stress areas will all be chromed underneath...

 

is there anything else chromed underneath in our cars. i'd like to chrome whatever i can.

 

Well, on the outside the door Trim that is painted black is chrome underneath, but IMO it does not look very attractive

 

And you have to remember that not all chromed parts have a very thick layer of chrome. If it's thin, some of the base color can show through, and not all parts are the same base color. Could look kinda goofy...