DIY: Black Lower Grills! (INTERCOOLER OVERSPRAY FIX!!)

I335 · 06-22-2010, 06:59 PM

So ingenious - love it!

michael1284 · 06-26-2010, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZombiE92

that looks great. very creative. what's the best kind of plastic spray paint to use?

i just went to home depot and picked up the spray paint that's for plastic...no primer needed. here's a pic. [LEFT BOTTLE]

ironman1982 · 07-01-2010, 04:51 AM

Super easy and such an innovative workaround with a fantastic outcome. Performed it about a month ago and most of the work was spent taping up the edges of the grilles with painters tape and newspapers for the overspray. The balloons took all of a few minutes to get setup! Great DIY!

coh4777 · 07-28-2010, 06:35 PM

For the left and right side mesh, is there nothing behind that will be damaged or affected by the overspray? So no need to protect it as you did with the intercooler right?

ZombiE90 · 07-28-2010, 09:39 PM

i just did this last weekend, but i think i found an even easier and cleaner way of doing this... not to threadjack or anything, and i think the balloon idea is super creative...

i taped off and sprayed the right and left side grills just like the OP. right and left sides don't have anything behind them so no need to prevent overspray.

the kicker: the middle mesh grill can actually be easily removed from the car without tools at all. just push back on the grill starting on the bottom and work your way around, undoing the clips. then slide it to one side, and pull it out at an angle. it is very easy to remove, and you won't feel like you're going to break anything.

i gave everything 2 good coats of krylon for plastic... and it came out great!

jonas9000 · 07-29-2010, 08:08 AM

Ok, but you can buy black lower grills cheap !

coh4777 · 07-29-2010, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZombiE92

i just did this last weekend, but i think i found an even easier and cleaner way of doing this... not to threadjack or anything, and i think the balloon idea is super creative...

i taped off and sprayed the right and left side grills just like the OP. right and left sides don't have anything behind them so no need to prevent overspray.

the kicker: the middle mesh grill can actually be easily removed from the car without tools at all. just push back on the grill starting on the bottom and work your way around, undoing the clips. then slide it to one side, and pull it out at an angle. it is very easy to remove, and you won't feel like you're going to break anything.

i gave everything 2 good coats of krylon for plastic... and it came out great!

Wait you can just take out the middle mesh without removing the bumper? Is it easy to re-install once you've painted it?

coh4777 · 07-29-2010, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonas9000

Ok, but you can buy black lower grills cheap !

Where and how much? I think I remember seeing that Tischer sold black lower mesh grills for around $60. Not a lot of money, but would rather not spend it if all I need to do is spend an hour or two to paint them myself! Also I think to remove the side grills you definitely need to take off the front bumper.

jonas9000 · 07-30-2010, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coh4777

Where and how much? I think I remember seeing that Tischer sold black lower mesh grills for around $60. Not a lot of money, but would rather not spend it if all I need to do is spend an hour or two to paint them myself! Also I think to remove the side grills you definitely need to take off the front bumper.

29$ for 24X98CM in Europe.

jonas9000 · 07-30-2010, 03:05 AM

And it´s much nicer then the OEM grill !

ZombiE90 · 07-30-2010, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coh4777

Wait you can just take out the middle mesh without removing the bumper? Is it easy to re-install once you've painted it?

Yes. Everyone!!! It's extremely easy to remove the middle mesh without removing the bumper. Took me 45 seconds, no tools, no damage. It's a little tougher getting it back in... maybe 90 seconds, but that's just bc u want to be a bit more careful not to scratch the paint. I'll post pics later if I remember...

ZombiE90 · 07-30-2010, 03:02 PM

Here are the pics...

Remove your license plate bracket first if you have one. It's ugly anyways, worth the risk of getting a ticket IMO. I've since plugged the unsightly holes in the bumper with plugs from O'Reilly for $2.48. Perfect black color match too

MAZINGER · 07-30-2010, 03:24 PM

How about the plastic grill on each side? Same technique?

coh4777 · 07-30-2010, 03:25 PM

Awesome thanks zombie!

coh4777 · 07-30-2010, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAZINGER

How about the plastic grill on each side? Same technique?

I'm pretty sure the side ones you cannot remove unless you take off the front bumper. But if you are just painting, then you don't have to worry about overspray like you do with the center one because there is nothing behind the side grills.

MAZINGER · 07-30-2010, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coh4777

I'm pretty sure the side ones you cannot remove unless you take off the front bumper. But if you are just painting, then you don't have to worry about overspray like you do with the center one because there is nothing behind the side grills.

Good to know! I think "Plastic Dip" (something like this) is the ideal paint, right?

ZombiE90 · 07-30-2010, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAZINGER

How about the plastic grill on each side? Same technique?

right, just paint in place. nothing behind them to worry about overspray. good luck guys!

ZombiE90 · 07-30-2010, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAZINGER

Good to know! I think "Plastic Dip" (something like this) is the ideal paint, right?

i just used krylon for plastic... available at walmart, home depot, ACE, etc.

two coats, no primer, no sanding. it looks great!

donsgolf2012 · 08-21-2010, 10:11 PM

Just finished doing my lower grills. I removed the middle one and it was really easy. I was using Plasti-dip and put about 5 coats on all the pieces. Turned out great. When removing the paint watch the coating sticking to the tape and the grill. Remove it slowly and you should have no problems.

NoCarrier · 08-23-2010, 06:03 PM

Yeah, Krylon Fusion is perfect for jobs like this.

I335 · 08-23-2010, 07:26 PM

OK - so it's easy to remove the middle grill, but how do you reinstall it?

spdy330 · 08-23-2010, 09:51 PM

That was definatly a good idea.

06-22-2010, 06:59 PM	#23
I335 Brigadier General 123 Rep 4,249 Posts Drives: '08 335i Coupe Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New England iTrader: (11)	So ingenious - love it!
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07-01-2010, 04:51 AM	#25
ironman1982 Private 8 Rep 93 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: GA iTrader: (5)	Super easy and such an innovative workaround with a fantastic outcome. Performed it about a month ago and most of the work was spent taping up the edges of the grilles with painters tape and newspapers for the overspray. The balloons took all of a few minutes to get setup! Great DIY!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-28-2010, 06:35 PM	#26
coh4777 Lieutenant 29 Rep 533 Posts Drives: 07 BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Vegas iTrader: (0)	For the left and right side mesh, is there nothing behind that will be damaged or affected by the overspray? So no need to protect it as you did with the intercooler right? __________________ COH4777 2007 335i Coupe - Jet Black / Coral Red / Aluminum Trim / 6MT / Sport / Premium / CA / Navi / iPod + USB
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07-28-2010, 09:39 PM	#27
ZombiE90 Private First Class 10 Rep 159 Posts Drives: 335d Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 BMW 335d [0.00]	i just did this last weekend, but i think i found an even easier and cleaner way of doing this... not to threadjack or anything, and i think the balloon idea is super creative... i taped off and sprayed the right and left side grills just like the OP. right and left sides don't have anything behind them so no need to prevent overspray. the kicker: the middle mesh grill can actually be easily removed from the car without tools at all. just push back on the grill starting on the bottom and work your way around, undoing the clips. then slide it to one side, and pull it out at an angle. it is very easy to remove, and you won't feel like you're going to break anything. i gave everything 2 good coats of krylon for plastic... and it came out great! __________________ Current: 2011 335d \| M-Sport \| Mostly Stock RIP: 2007 E92 335i \| Dinan Stage 2
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07-29-2010, 08:08 AM	#28
jonas9000 Private 0 Rep 54 Posts Drives: BMW E92 335i Coupé 2007 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	Ok, but you can buy black lower grills cheap ! Attached Images
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07-30-2010, 03:05 AM	#32
jonas9000 Private 0 Rep 54 Posts Drives: BMW E92 335i Coupé 2007 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	And it´s much nicer then the OEM grill ! Attached Images
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07-30-2010, 03:02 PM	#34
ZombiE90 Private First Class 10 Rep 159 Posts Drives: 335d Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 BMW 335d [0.00]	EASIEST Center Grill Method Here are the pics... Remove your license plate bracket first if you have one. It's ugly anyways, worth the risk of getting a ticket IMO. I've since plugged the unsightly holes in the bumper with plugs from O'Reilly for $2.48. Perfect black color match too Attached Images __________________ Current: 2011 335d \| M-Sport \| Mostly Stock RIP: 2007 E92 335i \| Dinan Stage 2
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07-30-2010, 03:24 PM	#35
MAZINGER Lieutenant 39 Rep 549 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 335i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Canada iTrader: (2)	How about the plastic grill on each side? Same technique?
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07-30-2010, 03:25 PM	#36
coh4777 Lieutenant 29 Rep 533 Posts Drives: 07 BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Vegas iTrader: (0)	Awesome thanks zombie! __________________ COH4777 2007 335i Coupe - Jet Black / Coral Red / Aluminum Trim / 6MT / Sport / Premium / CA / Navi / iPod + USB
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08-21-2010, 10:11 PM	#41
donsgolf2012 First Lieutenant 20 Rep 382 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	Just finished doing my lower grills. I removed the middle one and it was really easy. I was using Plasti-dip and put about 5 coats on all the pieces. Turned out great. When removing the paint watch the coating sticking to the tape and the grill. Remove it slowly and you should have no problems.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-23-2010, 06:03 PM	#42
NoCarrier Private First Class 130 Rep 198 Posts Drives: 2011 e90 ZCP Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Camarillo, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 1998 BMW 328i [0.00] 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	Yeah, Krylon Fusion is perfect for jobs like this.
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08-23-2010, 07:26 PM	#43
I335 Brigadier General 123 Rep 4,249 Posts Drives: '08 335i Coupe Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New England iTrader: (11)	OK - so it's easy to remove the middle grill, but how do you reinstall it?
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08-23-2010, 09:51 PM	#44
spdy330 Major General 530 Rep 6,149 Posts Drives: 05 Tundra, 15 FIT, 17 CRV Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chino Hills, CA iTrader: (163)	That was definatly a good idea. __________________ If you will be purchasing ANY AT&T services online or in store could you mention that you were referred by me? My Employee Referral ID is eo4489. This would be a great help and it costs you nothing, thank you!
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