The Chrome Delete Guide: How to Black Out Your Silverado 1500 for Under $200
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You absolutely love your new Chevy Silverado 1500, but you harbor a deep, burning hatred for the massive Gold Bowties.
They clash terribly with your paint color. They look incredibly dated.
And then there’s the chrome. Chrome door handles, chrome mirror caps, bright chrome window trim, and a massive chrome rear bumper.
You desperately want the sleek, aggressive "Trail Boss" or "Midnight Edition" look—blacked out, aggressive, and highly modern. But you certainly don't want to pay a professional body shop $1,500 to pull your truck apart and paint everything.
Good news: You absolutely don't have to.
The premium aftermarket has exploded with high-quality "Chrome Delete" solutions that you can easily install in your own driveway on a Saturday morning.
- Emblems: Swap the outdated gold for sleek, authentic GM Genuine Black Badges.
- Tailgate: Fill those massive stamped letters with Matte Black or Carbon Fiber TufSkinz Inserts.
- Handles: Snap on Gloss Black Putco covers perfectly over the factory chrome.
In this guide, we walk you through the top 3 premium aesthetic mods that will completely transform the look of your truck for a mere fraction of the cost of a custom paint job.
Compare Premium Aesthetic Upgrades
Authentic Replacements or Premium Overlays?
|
Upgrade Type |
Top Brands |
Installation |
Best For |
|
Black Bowtie (Replacement) |
GM Genuine |
Easy. (Clip-In). |
The Purist. Physically replaces the factory gold emblem entirely. Guaranteed OEM fit, finish, and fade resistance. |
|
Tailgate Letters (Domed) |
TufSkinz |
Easy. (3M VHB). |
Visibility. Raised, heavily domed letters that perfectly fill the tailgate stamp. Officially licensed by GM and 100% UV stable. |
|
Tailgate Letters (Stainless) |
Putco |
Easy. (3M Tape). |
Luxury Look. Laser-cut from genuine stainless steel. Available in polished or "Black Platinum" for a high-end, heavy-duty finish. |
|
Handle & Mirror Covers |
Putco |
Easy. (Snap-On). |
Chrome Delete. Instantly covers glaring chrome door handles and mirrors. Looks exactly like a factory-painted part. |
Frequently Asked Questions (Trim & Badges)
How do I actually remove the old front grille bowtie?
It simply clips out.
On the 2019+ Silverado T1, the front grille bowtie is held in by plastic retention clips accessible directly from the back of the grille.
The Process: Open the hood, remove the black plastic radiator cover (held by push-pins), reach your hand down directly behind the grille, and depress the clips to effortlessly pop the gold bowtie out forward. Your new GM Genuine Black Bowtie simply snaps right back into those exact holes.
Will aftermarket tailgate letters fall off in a high-pressure car wash?
Not if they are premium quality.
Cheap, $15 vinyl stickers from online marketplaces will absolutely peel, crack, and wash away.
The Solution: We strictly stock premium, raised letters (like TufSkinz or Putco) that utilize automotive-grade 3M VHB Tape. Once properly applied to a clean surface and allowed to cure for 24 hours, these inserts are functionally permanent and will easily survive high-pressure car washes and winter road salt for years.
Can I replace the bright chrome "Silverado" nameplate letters on my doors?
Yes, easily.
The factory door and tailgate badges are not bolted on; they are simply held on with heavy-duty double-sided tape.
Removal: Warm them up with a hair dryer or heat gun, gently saw behind the foam tape with fishing line, and use a citrus adhesive remover (like Goo Gone) to clean the clearcoat.
Replacement: Buy the GM Genuine Black Emblem Kit. It comes pre-spaced on a foam alignment template to ensure your new black letters are leveled and spaced perfectly from the factory.
Black it out.
Ditch the outdated gold and aggressively cover the chrome. Shop our verified collection of premium 2019–2026 Chevy Silverado 1500 Trim & Badges.