[Whack01]

Well I've been lurking round here for last few weeks after buying an E90 318d M-Sport lci and looking at what mods I want to make.
First up was to change the grills & decided why not DIY! So I gathered up all the required tools & paint and set about removing the grills first.
4 Torx screws removed easily and with very little prying I got both grills out with no parts broken.




Both sides of clips seemed to come out at the bottom and side first followed by the top clips. This was purely by accident and not strategy on my part!

Next the chrome parts were separated from the slats, again relatively easily.



Up to the the bath I went next to wash all parts clean and then out to my garden shed to sand all parts down, first with 180 then 320 sandpaper. Once this was done all parts were then given two coats of primer with 15mins drying time between.





After a quick top up of coffee it was back out to my makeshift workshop to begin spraying the first colour coat. I was torn between gloss or Matt finish so decided to spray the chrome surrounds gloss black and the slats matt.
The first coat is currently drying and will be topped up in bout an hour followed by a third maybe an hour later. It's too dark for more pics but will update the thread before going to bed and then upload more pics in morning light...all going well.

[Axelf]

I did this 2 weeks ago and they look much better.... Good luck...

[Matrez]

Hey, I was thinking about that but spraying the chrome surroundings isnt a good idea as the paint will eventually come off. My friend has tried it too lol
Its a lot better to sand it down but it wil take a lot, a lot of time

Regards,

Mat.

[Whack01]

That's why I sanded all parts with two grades of sandpaper first, followed by primer!

[Matrez]

Originally Posted by Whack01

That's why I sanded all parts with two grades of sandpaper first, followed by primer!

Thats what I am talking about - thats what I call a proper job
Its taken you ages I suppose !

[Whack01]

It wasn't too bad Matrez, I did a decent job but didn't go mental. The way I see it is if the DIY works happy days I've saved myself a packet and if not then I'll have to stump up for professional ones and life goes on.

Here's hoping my attempt works & lasts a while!
Have you any pics how yours worked out.

Just noticed your sig!!!

[Matrez]

It works out to be half the price if you do DIY. The sprays and other stuff will cost £20-£30. Ive bought a lot of sprays - for my winter wheels, engine covers - it took a few days of hard work but was worth it and saved a lot of money !

Looking forward to seeing the photos of your DIY

Ill post mine also just need to make some lol

Regards,

Mat.

[Whack01]

Spent approx 35-40 euro on materials, so not bad. Here are some shots before being tucked up for the night. iPhone pics so excuse quality or lack thereof.

[ctch22]

glossy finish looking nice weren't the slats already matt?

[Whack01]

Originally Posted by ctch22

glossy finish looking nice weren't the slats already matt?

Yes, but looked kinda grey in the flesh and thought that might look odd against the gloss black so said I'd try spray them black Matt as compared to that plastic grey colour.

Not sure how they'll come out but will know in the morning!!

After a quick check the gloss is looking really well and much better than expected. Won't be perfect but happy with my first ever attempt at spraying.

[Whack01]

Ok so this is what I woke to this morning



Close up of gloss finish



Both slotted back into place easily and once the 4 Torx screws were secured I was all done.

Have to say I'm delighted with the end result for minimal cost. For anyone considering doing this I'd say it's well worth it. I'm the least talented DIY modder and always end up breaking bits but this job was a walk in the park-even for my ham fists!!

Two last pics - will post better when car is clean.





Thanks for reading

[mark25]

Very cool! I would have done this myself but my car is a special edition monte carlo so came with these as standard. Good job on ditching the chrome :P

[makkan00]

Which gloss black paint did you use?
Very good results. impressed.

[Matrez]

Great result to be honest. I am afraid the paint will come off after a few months as it was with my wheels in the winter ! Just a little pebble or similar at higher speed and a chip is ensured Had to redo it recently, but this time used 3x black coat and 2x lacquer coat so hope will last a long time now.

Wish you long lasting finish !!!

Mat.

[Whack01]

Originally Posted by makkan00

Which gloss black paint did you use?
Very good results. impressed.

For the gloss used plasticoat black gloss, can take a pic of the can later for ya. Very impressed with the finish it gave.

[Whack01]

Originally Posted by Matrez

Great result to be honest. I am afraid the paint will come off after a few months as it was with my wheels in the winter ! Just a little pebble or similar at higher speed and a chip is ensured Had to redo it recently, but this time used 3x black coat and 2x lacquer coat so hope will last a long time now.

Wish you long lasting finish !!!

Mat.

Ya I know it won't last very long but like you said the saving over buying oem parts makes it worth it IMO

[Whack01]

Originally Posted by mark25

Very cool! I would have done this myself but my car is a special edition monte carlo so came with these as standard. Good job on ditching the chrome :P

Would have loved if they were standard but c'est la vie

[douwe22]

Have been following your posts, looks really good, thanks for showing how its done, now all i have to do is make time and do my own. lol

[1sh@Crystalwhite]

Great work! Looks sweet! P.S nice collection of flies on your bumper

[Whack01]

Originally Posted by douwe22

Have been following your posts, looks really good, thanks for showing how its done, now all i have to do is make time and do my own. lol

Definitely worth doing if you're that way inclined. Like I said I usually end up fighting with whatever mod I attempt but this really went seamlessly from start to finish.

Don't rush the job and if you can at all leave them to dry overnight. I did and they were just about hard enough to refit without damaging the finish. The more time you invest the better the result.

[Whack01]

Originally Posted by 1SH

Great work! Looks sweet! P.S nice collection of flies on your bumper

Ya it hasn't had it's weekly, or fortnightly at this stage, bath yet!!! Next on the to do list right after 9 holes in the sun.

[mobilejo]

Good job. It should last with that prep - I've been painting my own grills for the last 5 BMW's I've had - gloss or matt depending on my mood. I do it just like what you have done and never get the paint coming off like you see on some. Its all down to the prep - once the chrome is flatted down you are basically working with plastic and there is no reason (with decent prep & primer) for the paint to not adhere.