It’s painted buddy but looks like almost chrome,I tried some paragon tape I think it was on eBay but it just kept lifting off after every ride,I ended up using three packs of mt zefal large protection tape pre cut packs from amazon,I think they were £10.50 each but really good.. not as thick as the bike shield stuff but good enough and easy to stretch and stick down on awkward sections,a lot cheaper for what you get also? with the batter,you could swap out the cover but it has tiny m3 I think screws holding it onto the battery,maybe another cover would be better!..I said I was getting another battery but surprised how far mine goes,especially after ditching the max grip assegai from the rear?