NXOwner

I blacked-out my NX 200t (non-F) grill today.

Here's a before-and-after pic (a step-by-step tutorial follows)




Step 0: (Prerequisite) Please read and watch video from this post of mine. This helps with the basic use of Plasti-Dip, which I won't go into in this particular thread.


Step 1: Open the hood to access the panel/cover above the radiator/grill area




Step 2: Locate the plastic reusable rivets on the panel/cover (10 rivets)

I used one of my trim tools, but a regular screwdriver suffices. Simply lift the head of the rivet (not the outer ring). If my memory serves me correctly, there are ten of these to be removed.




Step 3: Remove the plastic rivets

Once the rivet head is lifted, use your fingers and pull the whole rivet out, ring and all.




Step 4: Remove the panel and set it and the rivets aside




Step 5: Carefully insert cardboard/paper to cover the radiator from overspray. Do not puncture or scrape the radiator fins.




Step 6: Also insert cardboard/paper in front of the dual horns and other components that are directly behind the grill.




Step 7: Mask-off the grill and logo with masking tape and paper. Other than the logo, you do not have to run the tape all the way to the edges of what you want (or don't want to paint). In fact, you want to leave a little border (3/4" - 1") around the edges. A better explanation of why to do this is in a video in another post of mine. I also put more cardboard on the top of everything to help block errant paint.




Step 8: Apply many, many very, very thin coats of Plasti-Dip. The more and the thinner the coats, the longer it will last. Patience is the key here. On rear and side emblems, I used 6 coats, but for the front grill—which will take a beating from wind, rain, bugs, etc—I used 8 coats. Did I mention to use very thin and many coats?

In the photo below, that is just the first of my thin coats.




Again, I'm going to refer you to my original Plastic-Dip post with video on how to perform the final peel-off.

Good luck and have fun!

typocl

I was hoping for a video!

NXOwner

I was going to, but I did not have enough time. I wanted to get the grill done before the annual Lexus Meet tomorrow.

d8168055

hows it hold up to little rocks and road debris?

dacommitte

Very nice! Dip is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to get some very nice customizations done.

NXOwner

If applied properly (many thin coats), it cures to a somewhat debris-absorbent protective surface.

That's why I applied eight coats (instead of six like I did on the rear emblems). Once my grill cures, I'll do my drill-less front-license plate frame installation once again.

NXOwner

It sure is.

However, I've seen a couple of things that ruin it for some folks... 1) They go overboard and plasti-dip everything (even whole cars), and 2) They are impatient and put only one (or two) coats on and they put it on thick!

NXOwner

Here is the latest photo of my "blacked-out-non-f-grill" NX now that I put the license plate back on.

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spyderman3

I would do the mirrors next..

Looks great.