[1QuikWS6]

Just outta curiosity, if you're gonna go to all the trouble to carefully mask everything off around the grilles - why not just actually spray the grilles instead of messing around with sponges?

If you're worried about overspray on items behind the grilles - just take out the couple screws on the cover under front bumper, drop down, and insert some cardboard behind the grilles to protect everything behind them from overspray...

[Shieldze1025]

Great DIY, I tried this a few weeks ago using just a regular sponge and it turned out like crap. I'll have to look for those sponges and use them, I'll get a small brush also. I had trouble with the corners of the mesh.

[**335i**]

did this some year ago nice especially for black cars

[Eliot Rosewater]

Originally Posted by Marcus-SanDiego

Did mine last week.

Here are the pics:

Is that gloss black? Or flat? I was worried that gloss would look weird, but also worried that a flat black might end up looking "grey." Your paint job looks amazing. If that's gloss black, then I'll go with that.

Thanks

[hipnotic]

spraying it is the easiest way to go

[bkrM3]

Originally Posted by Eliot Rosewater

Is that gloss black? Or flat? I was worried that gloss would look weird, but also worried that a flat black might end up looking "grey." Your paint job looks amazing. If that's gloss black, then I'll go with that.

Thanks

I used the same paint on mine. It's gloss-ish but down that low I honestly dont think you'd notice either way unless you used paint with a lot of texture like that plasti-dip stuff. My car has the OEM performance grilles, which are gloss black - this rustolem paint was a perfect choice. Here's a super crappy cell phone pic for your viewing pleasure.

Warning: do mask the crap out of your bumper below the mesh if you plan on using the foam brush dabbing method at all. The paint can run easily if youre not familiar with how much those brushes soak up. They tend to be like

[Eliot Rosewater]

Originally Posted by bkr335

I used the same paint on mine. It's gloss-ish but down that low I honestly dont think you'd notice either way unless you used paint with a lot of texture like that plasti-dip stuff. My car has the OEM performance grilles, which are gloss black - this rustolem paint was a perfect choice. Here's a super crappy cell phone pic for your viewing pleasure.

Warning: do mask the crap out of your bumper below the mesh if you plan on using the foam brush dabbing method at all. The paint can run easily if youre not familiar with how much those brushes soak up. They tend to be like

That looks great. Will definitely take my time masking. Thanks!

[bkrM3]

Originally Posted by Eliot Rosewater

That looks great. Will definitely take my time masking. Thanks!

No problem and make sure to get a bunch of brushes. I got a fat one to start out with then used little ones. They're all like 57 cents each at home depot. Made it easier to use new ones for each coat rather than to deal with brushes filled with half-dry paint.

Post pics when youre done

[Lotus99]

Originally Posted by bkr335

No problem and make sure to get a bunch of brushes. I got a fat one to start out with then used little ones. They're all like 57 cents each at home depot. Made it easier to use new ones for each coat rather than to deal with brushes filled with half-dry paint.

Post pics when youre done

How many coats did u do?

[bkrM3]

Originally Posted by Lotus99

How many coats did u do?

Two, then touched up a few spots that I missed originally. I did this in a garage that was pretty dark - probably not the best idea, but it looks good now

[Eliot Rosewater]

Originally Posted by bkr335

Post pics when youre done

I forgot to take a legitimate "Before" pic, but you get the idea:



I took everyone's advice and masked like crazy:


And after applying the third coat, I took off the tape, and:

BAM!

The gloss black reflects some light, which makes the mesh seem lighter, but after a few weeks I'm sure it'll dull a bit.

A great DIY project -- total bang for the buck. Thanks everyone for the tips.

So...what should I do next?

[Lotus99]

Originally Posted by Eliot Rosewater

I took everyone's advice and masked like crazy:



So...what should I do next?

Did you just use a sponge brush or did you spray, then touch up with a brush? Wondering why you'd bother covering the front all the way up to the headlights if you just used a brush...

[bkrM3]

Originally Posted by Eliot Rosewater

The gloss black reflects some light, which makes the mesh seem lighter, but after a few weeks I'm sure it'll dull a bit.

A great DIY project -- total bang for the buck. Thanks everyone for the tips.

So...what should I do next?

Next? Consider the OEM performance grilles - a cheap and easy project (there's a DIY) that really adds to the aggressive look. They're right around 100 bucks, which is much cheaper and easier than the aero lip since you dont have to worry about painting, etc. The gloss grilles will be a perfect fit with your lower mesh!

If you reallllly wanted to add to the front, the OEM aero lip is great. It's a bit more expensive than the aftermarket ones but the fitment quality is worth it. Sometimes you can find them used for a good price in the for sale section and just have them repainted...Either way, it completely changes the character of the front of the car I think.

[Eliot Rosewater]

Originally Posted by Lotus99

Did you just use a sponge brush or did you spray, then touch up with a brush? Wondering why you'd bother covering the front all the way up to the headlights if you just used a brush...

I used both. I mainly used the brushes to lay a base coat on the middle grille, since I didn't want to get spray paint all over the radiator.

[Eliot Rosewater]

Instead of installing all-black performance grilles, I removed the kidneys (per the DIY), masked off the chrome, and painted the centers black. I love the look of the fully blacked-out kidneys, but decided to keep the chrome ring to match the chrome window trim. Thought I'd share the complete transformation:



Thanks to everyone for all the tips!

[bkrM3]

Originally Posted by Eliot Rosewater

Instead of installing all-black performance grilles, I removed the kidneys (per the DIY), masked off the chrome, and painted the centers black. I love the look of the fully blacked-out kidneys, but decided to keep the chrome ring to match the chrome window trim. Thought I'd share the complete transformation:

Thanks to everyone for all the tips!

That looks great!

I considered doing something like that now that I have the chrome grilles and the black ones...like swapping the outside ring and doing the black ring/chrome slats thing that the 335is has. I didn't end up doing just yet but I'm keeping my chrome kidneys in case I get bored

[mystuffisbest]

Quick question. Will the lower grills on a E90 fit the E92? I have a rock hole in one of mine and see a bunch for sale for the E90.

Thanks

[phongle54]

I just completed this mod over the weekend. Followed this DYI and it turned out great! I used Rustoleum spray paint, a small brush, and the triangular sponge. I used PLENTY of tape and carefully painted each section, making sure to get in between each mesh hole. I did a second coat after waiting 45 minutes for it to dry.

Here's my before (with lots of tape):


and after (the next morning):


The paint actually reflects a lot of light so it appears lighter than I expected but still good.

Next, I'd like to paint my kidney grilles to match like Eliot did and plug those dumb license plate holes.

[Lotus99]

Sweet! Start to finish, how long did it take you (including all the taping, etc.)?

[phongle54]

I think it took me a total of 2 hours, but I was in no rush and was very cautious. Wash, dry, tape, paint, dry, paint again, dry. It was low difficulty so if you have the time, give it a try.

[samchoi604]

No offense but you're better off removing the bumper and installing the OEM E92 328i meshes. The plastic paint stuff comes off from a high pressure wash, and personally I don't feel comfortable peforming a DIY paint job on a nice car such as this.

[phongle54]

For anyone who's still interested, I painted my grill successfully. I think it turned out great. have a look: