Front and Rear Chrome Bumper Trim

I'm planning a purchase of a new 2008 Honda Ridgeline RTL with Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System in Dark Cherry Pearl this weekend, with several factory installed accessories. I'm considering ordering the Front and Rear Chrome Bumper Trim accessory at $499, mainly to protect the painted bumpers from chips, scrapes, scuffs and scratches. My old SUV has real chrome bumpers, so I'd like to protect my new Ridgeline from parking lot wear and tear.

Can anyone tell me how durable the Front and Rear Chrome Bumper Trim plastic is from chips, scrapes, scuffs and scratches? If the chrome trim gets chipped or scratched what color shows from underneath? Gray?

Thanks for your reply posts!

I have the front and rear istalled and have over 36k on them now, no problems. The material is like a semi hard bendable chrome plated plastic and is really durable, unless you bump it into something say backing into a wall, then you might get a samll scratch. Other than that the front has held up good and I have no scratches or dents.

Seth

My impression of the bumpers appliques is that they are not meant to protect the painted bumper but more of a cosmetic addition. I'm not saying that it won't offer some protection, but I haven't scuffed them yet to tell one way or the other.

K757 is correct. They are for cosmetic purposes only but they do look good IMHO. Depending on how hard you scratch them dictates what colors you will see. A very light scratch will yield a silver color while a heavy scratch/gouge will reveal the white plastic base of the mouldings.

Another consideration is that if you need to replace one, you have to buy the entire set unless you can get a hook up through your local body shop that has bought a set for a repair and are will to let you have the unused ones.

Hope that this helps.

Thanks for all of your posts.

I think I'm going to get the Front and Rear Chrome Bumper Trim dealer installed when I buy the my new Ridge tomorrow. I figure it looks great, and if any of the trim pieces get chipped, scraped, scuffed or scratched, which will eventually happen, I can just buy a new trim set, and install the replacement pieces myself. It will surely be less expense than getting the bumpers repaired and repainted!