View Full Version : Questions about doing a grill chrome delete.
djatek
02-16-2010, 01:19 AM
I know I have to have failed on a search, but I've given up and I guess I have a couple extra opinion questions.
First off... What's been the best thing you guys have found to cover up the chrome ring around the grill? Did most of you resort to getting a blacked grill instead? I like everything about the stock grill, but my car is silver, and I think the black with just a chrome four rings would look solid.
Also, to anyone somewhere cold, have you had better luck with anything in specific?
Let me know! And if I missed a good discussion on this somewhere just link me and we'll close this one out.
Thanks guys.
take the grill off, remove the chrome trim, get it painted, or just spray it with plasti dip and call it a day.
thats what most of the members on here do.
dan_the_v8man
02-16-2010, 03:56 AM
I just bought a OEM black grill instead, you can always swap back then and if your happy sell the original
djatek
02-16-2010, 08:36 AM
How much did the OEM black grill cost you tho? And did it have the badge blacked out as well? I was thinking about running some black vinyl over it just to see what it would look like. The chrome. Not the rings. Has anyone done that? I guess my issue with that is I'm not entirely sure I want it permanent, but I definitely want it clean... What else do you guys think
rxer311
02-16-2010, 09:21 AM
Plasti-Dip!!!!
djatek
02-16-2010, 10:05 AM
What is plasti-dip? Is it matte or glossy?
maidest
02-16-2010, 10:08 AM
It's more matte than glossy. And I plastidipped the chrome around the grill with the grill still on the car, just taped around it carefully. Plastidip is the way to go buy two cans for 15 bucks and takes like and hour total to do.
kenaiinaugust
02-16-2010, 12:38 PM
actually i've had 3 cans of plasti dip sitting for awhile and i was wondering do you just spray it straight on the chrome or do you have to sand it so it'll stick?
Just straight on the chrome how well does it hold up to the elements and stuff?
topshelf BiZ
02-16-2010, 01:00 PM
just clean and spray it. peel it off if you dont like it. no harm no foul.
djatek
02-16-2010, 02:25 PM
ah... it peels off... thats cool, but does that mean that it comes off easily just from driving normally? and what about cold weather? freeze and crack? Not trying to have little lines of chrome peeking thru the black. That'll look like shit...
pw211
02-16-2010, 02:29 PM
It doesn't crack easily, its very resistant to weather and driving.
Tusin
02-16-2010, 02:38 PM
One tip (and it says this on the back of the can). Do not spray it on like you would do pray paint (multiple light coats). You want to spray on heavy coats. To where you are done with one coat, that coat will look glossy and wet. Just be careful about runs. If you do multiple light coats, then you will be a textured, almost sand paperish end product.
Something I have been kicking around. Is using the clear plasti dip as a "clear coat". Curious if that would make it more gloss.
topshelf BiZ
02-16-2010, 03:02 PM
Something I have been kicking around. Is using the clear plasti dip as a "clear coat". Curious if that would make it more gloss.
Interesting idea, i've never heard of that.... What I have heard of how durable the product is, get a good solid coat on, let it dry for a while then enjoy. No chipping or peeling off the chrome.
Tusin
02-16-2010, 04:29 PM
Yeah I think I am going to have to pick up some clear plasti-dip and try it out on something laying around the house.
I went with Shadowline vinyl and it's held up pretty damn well for almost 8 months (so far). Unless you're looking from < 1ft away, you can't even tell that it's anything but OEM. Personally, I found it to be a bit of a PITA to put on, but many others here have had no issues whatsoever. To each his own, I suppose.
Anyway, it's an option to consider vs. plasti-dip or buying a new grill. Best part is there's no chance of overspray and you don't have to take off the grill to do it.
http://bmwshadowline.com/
maidest
02-16-2010, 09:25 PM
Yeah you don't need to sand anything, just spray on heavy coats and let dry. As far as how it holds up, IDK because I just did this a few days ago, but I have heard good things. Just one very important tip, make sure you tape everything up really well and cover up the rest of the car well, because plastidip mists like a mother******.