DIY - blackout "shadow" (black) kidney grills - Page 9 - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

DIY - blackout "shadow" (black) kidney grills
Jason
08-28-2005

Tools/Parts/Supplies:

- Torx-20 screwdriver
- 220 grit sandpaper
- 230 grit sandpaper
- 400 grit sandpaper
- Black paint (any black paint suitable for exterior use - get flat or gloss depending on desired finish)
-...

Click here to read the entire tutorial

#176

By BMdubya on 08-02-2012, 01:19 PM

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Difficulty [ 1 = Difficult ]		5
Cost [ 1 = Expensive ]		5
DIY Clarity [ 1 = Not clear ]		3
Average 87%

When you are unhooking the clips are you doing something special? I reach in there but i'm afarid i'm going to break the clip if I pull up on it too hard??

Quote:

Originally Posted by madcanadianboy

Way too easy to do this modification.

1. Frustrating trip to Walmart to buy the Krylon Gloss Black Paint for Plastic for $5. Gloss black to match the gloss black window trim from the sports package.
2. Removed Grills without even opening the hood of the car. Required reaching through the grill to unhook the lower clips, and using a hook shaped tool to assist in unhooking the top clips. Way easier than I expected.
3. Separate the outer ring of the grill from the inner slats by unhooking the clips.
4. Wipe down the outer silver ring with denatured alcohol.
5. Spray on 3 coats
6. Reassemble in the morning and install.

Voila ...

Looks just like stock black kidney grills for the 335is but costs $5 instead of ~$130.

Thanks for the DIY, it helped a lot.

#177

By mrgreenwood on 08-30-2012, 02:20 PM

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Difficulty [ 1 = Difficult ]		1
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Average 20%

Nice job bro. It looks really good

#178

By noipip on 08-30-2012, 02:50 PM

Nice Job. Thx so much~

#179

By jamiepstewart on 09-14-2012, 01:23 PM

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Difficulty [ 1 = Difficult ]		1
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I joined the club...

I couldnt take the chrome buck teeth anymore... so, i sorta cheated. Went out and bought the buck teeth replacements from the BMW dealer (all of $25.00) but decided to paint the kidney's myself with black gloss paint with clearcoat.

This was a very easy job. VERY satisfying too. I separated the chrome around the grills and went to town with my Dremmel Multimax sanding off as much chrome as I could with 220 grit.

After 5 coats of paint and 3 coats of clear coat, i am confident it wont chip.

Thanks to all the forum members for all the pictures. It is VERY worthwhile.

Here it is albeit on a dirty car..

Attached Images

Last edited by jamiepstewart; 09-14-2012 at 01:31 PM.

#180

By bmw3ster on 09-18-2012, 10:15 AM

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Difficulty [ 1 = Difficult ]		1
Cost [ 1 = Expensive ]		1
DIY Clarity [ 1 = Not clear ]		1
Average 20%

Before (chrome) and after (used Plasti Dip - incase it didn't turn out good you can just peel it off). What do you guys think? BTW, thank you for this guide. Made it very very simple!!

Attached Images

#181

By cashtidy on 09-24-2012, 12:46 PM

i cant wait to try this this weekend! very easy "first" mod.

#182

By Meeni on 09-25-2012, 12:47 AM

I did the plastidip thing, it doesn't look as good as real paint, but is very reasonable and is reversible.

#183

By LuisC48 on 10-01-2012, 09:51 PM

are the ones one RichP matte black?

#184

By Duck360198 on 12-05-2012, 09:58 PM

Member reviews
Difficulty [ 1 = Difficult ]		5
Cost [ 1 = Expensive ]		5
DIY Clarity [ 1 = Not clear ]		5
Average 100%

Awesome mod! Fantastic write-up!

Last edited by Duck360198; 12-05-2012 at 10:34 PM. Reason: rating

#185

By ZNITE on 12-16-2012, 01:18 AM

Great DIY write-up :-)

#186

By ZNITE on 12-16-2012, 01:19 AM

Great DIY write-up

#187

By Gabe044 on 02-02-2013, 11:07 PM

I know it's been asked a few times, but I haven't seen a response yet. Anyone who's had this for a while experienced chipping at all? Especially with added clear coat?

#188

By 328wagonxi on 03-01-2013, 01:41 AM

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Difficulty [ 1 = Difficult ]		1
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Thanks for the great thread

#189

By haajehaa on 03-01-2013, 03:24 AM

Great write-up!

#190

By murderedout328 on 03-26-2013, 02:39 PM

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Thanks soo much for this, I have been wanting to paint mine black, but hesitated on getting them out without breaking any plastic clips. I'll post a pic when the project if finished

#191

By murderedout328 on 03-26-2013, 02:44 PM

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Average 20%

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmw3ster

Before (chrome) and after (used Plasti Dip - incase it didn't turn out good you can just peel it off). What do you guys think? BTW, thank you for this guide. Made it very very simple!!

Looks good man! I am about to do the same with mine.

#192

By imprexa99 on 05-22-2013, 03:47 PM

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Difficulty [ 1 = Difficult ]		1
Cost [ 1 = Expensive ]		1
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Plasti-dip worked a treat on mine. Hasn't chipped and is reversable.

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