damaster

I'm not sure what this part of the Protege sedan is called, but its the bar above the license plate, the one containing the keyhole for the trunk. Unfortunately, in Canada this bar on the 2002 ES is chrome, but its body colored in the US. Has anybody in Canada removed this bar to paint it or swapped it with a body colored one? If so, how easy is it to remove this? Any tips?

Here's a pic (that I borrowed from Markspark) of a US version of the sedan where the bar is the same color as the body. Mine is chrome and I'd like to paint it black mica like the rest of my car:


Thanks

Maxx Mazda

I worked at a Mazda dealership for about 4 months, and I never saw and ES-GT with a chrome piece. They were all body color. (This is in Canada, btw.) I did see a few normal ES's with the chrome, and the LX features it standard. Do you really have a GT? If so, you have one jipped *** car.

damaster

GT? Yes sir: 16" alloy wheels, Moonroof, spoiler, etc. I got the GT package and I've seen many other ES-GTs with the chrome piece. Are you sure you're referring to the 2002 models, because I believe the 2001 models (with the different "Protege" lettering on the back) didn't have the chrome piece, but for some stupid reason Mazda Canada decided to stick it on the 2002 ES-GT.

SedanMan

Here is a picture of the chrome piece. I thought ALL 2002s and above had it.

damaster

all 2002s and above in Canada only have it. The US version has a body colored piece... I'd like to get my hands on one or paint my chrome piece.

Maxx Mazda

I'm positive they were all 2002 models. I can almost guarantee I'm not mistaken, but I may just be...

damaster

I think you may be mistaken, because Raptor on clubprotegequebec.com has a 2001 ES with the black piece and agrees with me that the 2002 were given the chrome piece... maybe it was just a Quebec thing, but I doubt it

Anyhow, anybody have any idea how to remove it/paint it or swap it? Still no tips... looks like I'm just gonna have to get out there with a screwdriver and figure it out

Maxx Mazda

I rememberthe older DX models and stuff ('99 or so) had a black plastic one. Maybe try searching a junkyard for one of those. That'll be WAY easier to have painted (once sanded smooth) than a chrome one. Just a thought...

Pro_fan

I've got an '01 and it definitely does not have the chrome. AFAIK, they were introduced for the '02's+....which i good b/c I much prefer the non-chrome look on the trunklid.

damaster

the part #'ll be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

MarkSpark

that is weird seeing my car posted from someone else..i wanted to get the chrome piece for my car but it costs over $100 dollars so screw that.

I believe it is called something like "chrome trunk garnish." You should be able to import one from the US from a junkyard

damaster

my car is black mica with dark tints, so the chrome highlights do in fact look tacky (especially now that I have black winter steelies). I didn't really mind it at first until I starting noticing that the 03 civics, 1.7 ELs, and camrys all share the same idea, i.e. chrome piece with trunk keyhole, and I think all 3 of those models are really ugly, so now I want a black piece even more.

damaster

if you want the chrome piece then perhaps we can swap - it would be easier for me to paint your un-chrome piece black mica than paint mine. My chrome piece is in excellent codition with absolutely no scratches.

of course, swapping would mean we would have to go without that piece while they're in shipment... let me know what you think.

MarkSpark

I eventually changed my mind about the garnish. I think it looks fine without it. Thanks anyway though.

damaster

Thanks!