E90Post
 


Coby Wheel
 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > DIY Guides > DIY - Black Grill / $7 / 10 minutes / (FULLY REVERSIBLE)



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      01-24-2009, 08:51 PM   #1
andyffer
Banned
United_States
136
Rep
563
Posts

Drives: 700hp M3 - Interlagos E92
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Paradise Valley, Arizona

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
DIY - Black Grill / $7 / 10 minutes / (FULLY REVERSIBLE)

Alright this is my first DIY, so forgive me if it is not the greatest.
But let me tell you, in a way this is the best DIY you will find.

First, an introduction to Plasti-Dip.
This is a spray on rubber. It comes in different colors and forms.
You can buy it in paint cans and dip tools, etc. in it.
You can purchase it at any Home Depot, Lowes, Ace Hardware, Pep Boys, etc.
I forget the exact price but it should be around $7 if not less.
This Plasti-Dip is fully reversible because it just peels off. I know from experience.
The first time I did this, I totally botched my upper chrome pieces.

Materials Needed:
1 can of Plasti-Dip (black)
1 Torx #20
Some newspaper or boxes





Steps:
1) Remove upper trim pieces with the Torx 20 screw

2) Use 1 finger to push the clip up and a different finger to pull out the grill from that point.
Do that on the top left & top right corners. Then do the 1 on each side. After the grill is
halfway out, there is a middle clip at the very top of the grill. Again, push with 1 finger
and pull the entire grill with the other hand. (DONT WORRY ABOUT THE BOTTOM CLIPS)


3) Repeat for the other grill

4) GENTLY lift the chrome tabs up while pulling on the chrome to let it free of the black gills
(I broke a couple of black tabs that hold in the chrome, but dont worry because there are
like 8 million other tabs to keep it on)


5) Do that to the other grill


6) Clean all the chrome with a little H2O

7) Lay out a box/newspaper and place the pieces on it



8) Shake the Plasti-Dip can VIGOROUSLY for ~1:00 minute


9) Spray from about 6-12" away in 1 swipe, make sure you DONT GO OVER A SECTION AGAIN! ONLY 1 LAYER Otherwise you get bubbles and lumps and it turns out
terrible (good news is, if that does happen, it peels off)




10) Let dry for a couple of hours and that it! :thumbup:



If it looks a little thin and you can kind of see through it,
11) Wait 30 minutes after applying the first coat
12) Like the first coat, apply one swipe of spray
-WARNING- It will look like it has a bunch of bumps, and you will think that you just ruined it, BUT you didnt. It will dry smooth.


BEFORE & AFTER:











Written by: Andyffer
Appreciate 0
      01-24-2009, 09:15 PM   #2
Spoolin335
Justin Herass
Spoolin335's Avatar
Canada
329
Rep
1,205
Posts

Drives: X6M / M3
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Canada

iTrader: (7)

Garage List
2015 BMW M3  [0.00]
2012 Audi TTRS  [10.00]
2012 BMW X6M  [9.00]
2007 BMW 335i  [9.00]
looks ok, but i like the higher gloss ones!

nice writeup though
Appreciate 0
      01-24-2009, 09:21 PM   #3
ToadHollow
Once upon a time ......
ToadHollow's Avatar
Italy
276
Rep
5,048
Posts

Drives: 2008 JB E92 - SOLD 5/2010
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Asti, Italy & Austin, Texas

iTrader: (16)

Garage List
2008 E92 335i  [8.00]
Wow ..........

This should definitely save the e90ers some cash. Great job w/ the DIY!
__________________



Appreciate 0
      01-24-2009, 10:08 PM   #4
choopy
Juicy Booty NomNoMnom
choopy's Avatar
United_States
49
Rep
1,204
Posts

Drives: 04 M3 Vert/2005 M3 Competition
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Lemont, IL

iTrader: (0)

Looks sexy! way more attractive than that gaudy CHrome
__________________
19" Monarch 410 Staggered || Matte Black Grill || 4" Exhaust Tips || Dual Intake || GP Tunders 7500K || Money Tints || JB2 ||Custom Start Button || Updated!
Appreciate 0
      01-24-2009, 10:24 PM   #5
darkphantom
Banned
592
Rep
5,946
Posts

Drives: E93 335i
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: The place for Bimmers

iTrader: (4)

awesome job andy!

you said clean with h2o? lol what about when it rains?
Appreciate 0
      01-25-2009, 12:58 AM   #6
indy335i
Private
0
Rep
52
Posts

Drives: 2008 e90 335i
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: indianapolis

iTrader: (2)

This is very cool! Thanks for taking the time to post all of this. I'm going to give it a try.
Appreciate 0
      01-25-2009, 06:19 PM   #7
andyffer
Banned
United_States
136
Rep
563
Posts

Drives: 700hp M3 - Interlagos E92
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Paradise Valley, Arizona

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Takashi View Post
You might be able to get a similar effect if you use electrical tape. I think that electrical tape will leave a residue when you remove it. I have to give that a try.
yeah i think it would too.

Plus that would have to be some wide electrical tape.

Whats so cool about this is you can use it on anything!
Im going to try it on my headlight lenses tonight.
Appreciate 0
      01-26-2009, 11:51 PM   #8
andyffer
Banned
United_States
136
Rep
563
Posts

Drives: 700hp M3 - Interlagos E92
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Paradise Valley, Arizona

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Takashi View Post
I have seen wide electrical tape at my work place. The only question is where can I get a hold of some.

Come to think of it, instead of spray painting the crome parts, you can use vinyl and coat the crome parts and might be able to bring out a similar effect.
your prep would be longer.
and it might leave a residue
Appreciate 0
      01-27-2009, 12:21 AM   #9
AMT92
Lieutenant Colonel
AMT92's Avatar
Iran
390
Rep
1,890
Posts

Drives: F85 X5M
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (4)

when it rains or it goes through a carwash with extensive washing won't it wear away?
Appreciate 0
      01-29-2009, 06:43 PM   #10
ska///235i
***** noob
ska///235i's Avatar
United_States
1354
Rep
10,479
Posts

Drives: 325xi>M235i>428GCx Mspor
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Boston

iTrader: (34)

Garage List
2006 325xi  [0.00]
interesting spray....

Can I spray my entire car? (JK)
Appreciate 0
      02-08-2009, 03:14 PM   #11
E92-Lighting
E92-Lighting's Avatar
United_States
856
Rep
35,253
Posts

Drives: Next Generation LED Lighting
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Walnut

iTrader: (324)

interesting find
Appreciate 0
      02-11-2009, 03:48 AM   #12
JXYOO
First Lieutenant
JXYOO's Avatar
United_States
47
Rep
300
Posts

Drives: E90 328i Jet Black
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: 714 Fullerton

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 328i  [0.00]
i did this to my car. when it rains it won't but a carwash im not sure. i'm gonna try this on my trim soon. i'll post up pictures when i do
Appreciate 0
      02-23-2009, 09:48 PM   #13
MemphisRheins
Second Lieutenant
MemphisRheins's Avatar
United_States
13
Rep
244
Posts

Drives: 06 330xi
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Long Island/ Pennsylvania

iTrader: (2)

So what is the verdict about the lifespan of this mod...

Does it come off in Rain/Carwash?, much more tempting to do this then to buy another grill (hey, moneys tight)
__________________
2006 330xi 6MT, ZCW/ZPP/ZSP
Appreciate 0
      02-24-2009, 03:05 AM   #14
JXYOO
First Lieutenant
JXYOO's Avatar
United_States
47
Rep
300
Posts

Drives: E90 328i Jet Black
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: 714 Fullerton

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 328i  [0.00]
Doesn't come off in rain. like i said carwash im not sure but probably not. The colour fades i think or maybe it was my bad painting. its kinda hard to keep clean too.
Appreciate 0
      02-24-2009, 09:40 PM   #15
MemphisRheins
Second Lieutenant
MemphisRheins's Avatar
United_States
13
Rep
244
Posts

Drives: 06 330xi
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Long Island/ Pennsylvania

iTrader: (2)

Did this tonight, looks good right now... so well see how it lasts up
__________________
2006 330xi 6MT, ZCW/ZPP/ZSP
Appreciate 0
      02-25-2009, 03:05 AM   #16
Luki
Poland approaching...
Luki's Avatar
Poland
24
Rep
264
Posts

Drives: BMW F10
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Warsaw

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2011 BMW F10  [0.00]
Only disadvantage is that when rocks hit this paint you will have silver spots on the grill
__________________
F10, Styling 312, Eibach Pro Kit, Black Grill
Appreciate 0
      02-26-2009, 09:56 PM   #17
andyffer
Banned
United_States
136
Rep
563
Posts

Drives: 700hp M3 - Interlagos E92
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Paradise Valley, Arizona

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Luki View Post
Only disadvantage is that when rocks hit this paint you will have silver spots on the grill
Should have put on an extra coat or two
Appreciate 0
      02-26-2009, 10:41 PM   #18
PaulBailey@ltbmw
General
PaulBailey@ltbmw's Avatar
Italy
660
Rep
26,878
Posts

Drives: 2-325 330 2-335 2-Z4 2-135 X5d
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Huntington Beach, CA

iTrader: (34)

Garage List
Damn I would have to see this in person but from the info and the pics this looks like an amazing and cheap DIY!
Nice one man!
Let us know how it holds up
Appreciate 0
      03-02-2009, 08:31 PM   #19
ska///235i
***** noob
ska///235i's Avatar
United_States
1354
Rep
10,479
Posts

Drives: 325xi>M235i>428GCx Mspor
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Boston

iTrader: (34)

Garage List
2006 325xi  [0.00]
would like to see this spray on interior trims
Appreciate 0
      03-02-2009, 09:55 PM   #20
Jonny550
Brigadier General
Jonny550's Avatar
230
Rep
4,936
Posts

Drives: 2012 550i Xdrive
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Jersey Shore

iTrader: (14)

if everyone is so worried about the paint wearing and chipping (including me) maybe clearcoat would do the job
Appreciate 0
      03-02-2009, 10:03 PM   #21
MemphisRheins
Second Lieutenant
MemphisRheins's Avatar
United_States
13
Rep
244
Posts

Drives: 06 330xi
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Long Island/ Pennsylvania

iTrader: (2)

I did about 2 coats on it, i've put about 400-450 highway miles on it since I did this, and its holding up just fine
__________________
2006 330xi 6MT, ZCW/ZPP/ZSP
Appreciate 0
      03-02-2009, 11:06 PM   #22
koreez88
Всем привет ;)
No_Country
144
Rep
3,358
Posts

Drives: Tesla
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: USA

iTrader: (12)

Let's just say, this will chip fast for a couple of reasons
1) You didn't apply enough layers
2) You applied the paint over the chrome without sanding it
3) You didn't use high durability spray paint (plasti-dip won't last long)

I've personally used high thermal matte black paint that is used to paint headers (ultra durable, I've tried a bunch of them)
I sanded the chrome parts prior to applying the coats
I applied like bajillion coats

It all lasted me about 20k miles, which isn't bad at all, considering that 90% of my driving is on highway with speeds over 70 mph. Only recently it started chipping a little bit.
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:01 AM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST