H.B.

I was told that the h-4 headlights currently sold with the black primered trim ring were originally not intended to be painted; and that 911s delivered in Europe always came with the snap on trim rings painted in the body color in order to conceal the screws and their indentations. Is this true and is there any advantage/disadvange to the chrome or the black? Also, what does everyone think of chrome h4s on a black 911 with highly polished, chrome-like Fuchs? If anyone has any pics it would be great. Thank you.

Bill Gregory

I got the primered H4's and painted them black with a clear final coat, which looks great on a white 911. Benefits of chrome vs painted: the chrome won't chip like the painted ones, which is extra probable if you track your 911. Since they are a pricey upgrade, I didn't consider the trim rings. There's only one screw holding the cover on, and you really don't see it. When I got mine, they came with a 55/60w H4 bulb, and the vendor said the chrome one's did not come with a bulb.

In terms of what looks best, you're the judge. With chrome or polished wheels, it might look fine.

Ed Bighi

I think chrome would look fine. On my silver sc I had them in the black primer for a while. Then I got sick of it and painted them silver. On my sister's carrera 3.2, I got the black ones and put on trim rings. I painted them myself since the car is grand prix white. I don't think either way makes a difference. It is easier to repaint a trim ring though. But it is also easier to adjust the headlights without taking out the trim ring. Just be careful when putting in the main retaining screw. It is very easy to crossthread it and strip the retaining nut. This happens more often with the flathead hollow bolt intended for the trim ring screw to go in. It doesan't happen as often with the phillips head stand alone bolt. Also, I have found that those trim rings stay in there pretty snug even without the screw.

Adrian

You will see painted, black and chromed headlight trim rings here in Europe. Whether they were painted or not was an customer selected option as were the black ones. You see less black ones around nowadays. These were quite popular way back in the 1970s and early 1980s models, especially with the orange and green 911s. I have a collegue with a orange 911SC will all black trim including the headlight trim,
Ciao,
Adrian
911C4

Chris Martin

Great thread, very timely for me. So it sounds like it is pretty straight forward to disassemable the black rings and paint them body color? I was going to buy the Chrome ones and the trim rings but you can save some $$ going with the black ones.

Thanks for the input

Chris