its only about 3-5 mils thick, so it shouldn't dull the sound. (of course, if you go with a candy 2 stage, its a little thicker, but I still think it won't change the sound) For black chrome, go with columbia coatings candy black. Its pretty nice. Black chrome when applied thin, and deep transparent black when applied thick. This is thick on a G35 intake plenum. You can see the depth in it.