roadfrog

Based on some pics I saw here, I decided to give my grill a new look and paint it black. I had done the same treatment to my BMW 745i last year and really liked the look it gave....a little less "blingy".

I also decided to do the $5 chrome treatment to the lower valance that others have also done.

Obviously I used a rattle can of the Plastidip paint in black:

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I considered just taping around the grill right on the vehicle, but because of the weather and such, I decided to remove the grill from the vehicle - a VERY simple task....one bolt, and a few clips, and out she came. Once the assembly was out, the center grill piece was easily removed from the outer frame...again, with clips. I then masked it up:

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The beauty of Plastidip is that it is so forgiving and masking does not need to be perfect, as any overspray just rubs off or peels away. Its really an amazing product. The beauty is, if you don't like the results, just peel away the rubbery coat of color and you're back to OEM.

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I debated following up with a can of the Glossifier", but read several reviews that said the Glossifier made the black look somewhat, grey. Regardless, I really like the semigloss/satin results I got from the can as is.

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The final result with the chrome door edge guard trims on the lower valance:

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It's been on the car for nearly a week through all kinds of weather and speeds as well as a touchless car wash and there is no sign of any wear. Thanks to those who set me on this quest! I really like the results!

PMIRO2

Looks good

jiceoo

I like it

Aristo300

Can you link us to the product you used for the lower valances?

roadfrog

Basically, it's this stuff here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/U-STYLE-3M-x...-/221270549880

You can find it at Walmart in the automotive section for about 5 bucks. Just cut it to size.

DangVu

How hard is it to take off the grill?

greg3852

It peels off if ever you need to. It's very easy, and comes off clean.

dlbuckls10

Great job and it looks good.

qtrung909

Good job. Makes me consider doing something like that.

caha14

Very nice! Car is looking good.

Have you considered adding DRL LED strips (the kind initially installed by Tee and CJITTY)? It fits the opening on the 2007-09 bumper quite nicely, together with the door edge chrome pieces.

roadfrog

You mean like this? LOL

caha14

Ha! Those look familiar

Curious... As I was typing earlier, I had a vague recollection that you did have these, but I didn't see them in your signature (may have missed them - sleep deprivation will do that to me). Did I imagine this, or did you just install (or reinstall, post-PlastiDip project)?

roadfrog

I installed them shortly after the grill was done. Always had them in my sig.

jamodeo

iTrader: (1)

I've got to hand it to you roadfrog, that actually looks very good and well placed. It looks like it fits very well. I'm sure we all see cars that try to add LED strips or bars and it never looks like its supposed to be there mostly because of fitment, but what you did looks like it was designed that way!

-Joe

roadfrog

Thanks. The main reason why it looks "factory" has to do with the cut of the led lights. They come with an angled cut at the ends which perfectly align with the angles of the bumper inlets. Can't take credit for the idea though...that belongs to TEE and others who did it first.