[JSH3]

I can't get the Torx screws to come out - they just turn and turn and turn - as if there are no threads. Suggestions?

[E90335Justin]

would this look good for Sparkling Gray (Graphite) Metallic?
if so, can one of you post a pic?

[bimmerque]

Originally Posted by Chesmu

it is a great diy....

you'll be doing it again and again when the paint chips from road debris.
trust me.
buy a black plastic grille set.

+1

[matrix607]

Definitely going to try this out! Gotta match the sport shadow trim, so looks like I will be using gloss black and some clear coat.

[AustinL]

Originally Posted by jon328i

my first mod to my E90, a sandpaper, and duplicolor black paint

Was the removing of grill in LCI-model as easy as in pre-LCI?

[miketakkk]

thanks this was really useful!

[byoung8]

Just did mine overnight. Such a huge difference. The color contrast looks good. I did have problems with half the screws spinning. I used a flat head to separate the screw to the plastic piece. I had some paint laying around so total cost was less than $5. I also did the shadowlinetrim so the chrome is gone

[kevin9870]

I don't know if anyone else is having this problem...but the middle torx screw comes out on each side, but the side torx screws just keep unscrewing, but never come loose........anyone?

[byoung8]

Originally Posted by kevin9870

I don't know if anyone else is having this problem...but the middle torx screw comes out on each side, but the side torx screws just keep unscrewing, but never come loose........anyone?

I used a small flathead screwdriver to pry as I unscrewed the torx screw. IT eventually came out but it wont tighten...I was thinking of getting locktite for the ones that kept spinning.

[evoralliart]

nice job

[Jeffrolite]

Incredible write up. It will look great on my red e90. No time this weekend, but very possibly next!

[mentos876]

looks great ! But its better to buy black grilles on ebay or somewhere for about $50, because after few weeks/months , paint gonna start chipping off from driving on hw (stones n shit)

[djlora]

I did mine last week and it was very easy. I'd say the hardest part was the Sanding (you gotta make sure to sand very well). So far so good, but I do a lot of hw driving so we'll see how it holds up.

[Mi2Wilson]

Thanks for the DYI, big help!!

[eviltwin]

Thanks for a great DIY. I did the grill and the window trim this weekend. The window trim was not bad at all. I've got an E90 an I removed the upper trim but painted the lower trim on the car. It came out great.

[rhoadsman]

Just did mine today, ordered a gloss black set from Tischer. Everything fit great and looks amazing, but I did have one torx screw that kept spinning. The culprit, at least for me, was some Blue Loctite that hadn't given up yet. Therefore, the screw AND the brass threading kept spinning in the plastic 'eyebrow'.

My fix? HEAT! I read that blue loctite is more like crazyglue and that alot of heat will relax it. My old 140 watt soldering gun did the trick! I put it directly on the top of the screw (after popping off the chromed top piece - pressing in the little tabs will pop it off) [first pic] and after just a minute or two, viola!

The torx screw started turning on it's own, leaving the brass threading in place!

[DYNASTY XSV]

on the '09-up grille do you still just pull on the entire grille to remove it or are there any screws?

[lolligaggins]

Looks awesome on the black, eager to do this here!

[hogbmw]

I did it, looks great I think. to get the screws on mine i just pulled the rest of the top grill up, it was the last screw on both sides. I pulled it up gently and unscrewed and it came right out, it just needed some leverage, like what was provided by the other two screws.

I painted it Gloss Black and sanded before with 200 to rough it up. Then I sprayed then sanded with 800 to smooth the finish out and provide better grip for the next layer. repeated this with the 800 for 3 layers then 3 more layers of clear coat. Obviously not sanding the last layer haha. Just very light sanding, no pressure involved just gravity and sideways motion.

Did mine black on black, holding well after a week but we'll see after the test of time. Kinda liked the look of brushed aluminum too when i first sanded with 200.

[kiwi29]

I warmed up some water and put the cans inside of the water to warm the paint up and add the gas up. It helps it spread more evenly and hardly have to shake more. I used 1000 grit and 800 grit i also used primer and i used metal paint it seems to stick better as well.

[crazyfoo]

Originally Posted by DYNASTY XSV

on the '09-up grille do you still just pull on the entire grille to remove it or are there any screws?

I am wondering the same thing. Want to test this out and I have the sandpaper and paint - I will just try later and see what happens.

[crazyfoo]

So I removed and painted the grilles on my 09 335 coupe last night. Removal was EASY - I removed a cover right above the bumper, reached inside and popped out each clip. I took pictures and could post the progress later. I put four coats of paint on and really can't believe how good it looks - as if they were factory powder coated!