Re-painting front grille trim?
Moderators: GRNSHRK, ron, bfons
Re-painting front grille trim?
My front grilles (the headlight surrounds; not the kidneys) are looking fairly beat, particularly the "chrome" trim around the edges. Before I jump into buying replacements, I was considering painting them.
Just to confirm, though: the "chrome" is just painted plastic, right? If so, which paint (and clear coat?) would you recommend to get a nice finish? I'd like something that stands up to both UV and "sand blasting" in the course of normal driving.
Just to confirm, though: the "chrome" is just painted plastic, right? If so, which paint (and clear coat?) would you recommend to get a nice finish? I'd like something that stands up to both UV and "sand blasting" in the course of normal driving.
"Sabine": '88 M6 Royalblau/Silber
SLS delete, Wizard Cooling radiator, BavAuto Strut bar, M-Technik steering wheel, Conforti chip, Bilstein B8s / H&R Lowering Springs, BBE stainless cat-back exhaust
SLS delete, Wizard Cooling radiator, BavAuto Strut bar, M-Technik steering wheel, Conforti chip, Bilstein B8s / H&R Lowering Springs, BBE stainless cat-back exhaust
Re: Re-painting front grille trim?
The kidneys on mine are pretty sandblasted, so I'm thinking about vinyl wrapping them. There are some films available which look like chrome or polished aluminum, and the film would hide the pitting.
Dean
Lutz, FL
'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z
Lutz, FL
'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z
Re: Re-painting front grille trim?
[quote="PTFunk"] Just to confirm, though: the "chrome" is just painted plastic, right? /quote]
No, they are metal strips. They can be removed with a pair of long-nosed pliers by bending the locking tangs carefully as they are fragile.
The last ones I did I painted satin black as the car was "shadow-lined".
No, they are metal strips. They can be removed with a pair of long-nosed pliers by bending the locking tangs carefully as they are fragile.
The last ones I did I painted satin black as the car was "shadow-lined".
They are ALWAYS rustier than you thought!!!!!!
'85 M #228
'87 M #367
'88 High line.
'10 X5
‘84 Alfasud 1.5 ti
'85 M #228
'87 M #367
'88 High line.
'10 X5
‘84 Alfasud 1.5 ti
Re: Re-painting front grille trim?
Do it , it'll work .dwcains wrote:The kidneys on mine are pretty sandblasted, so I'm thinking about vinyl wrapping them. There are some films available which look like chrome or polished aluminum, and the film would hide the pitting.
1981 635 series 1
Re: Re-painting front grille trim?
I'll post some pics when it's done.
Dean
Lutz, FL
'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z
Lutz, FL
'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z
Re: Re-painting front grille trim?
These are in my project thread but just to let you see the effect again. That's nearly two years since I did mine and they're still perfect .Different light units but both suffered identical pitting and corrosiondwcains wrote:I'll post some pics when it's done.
1981 635 series 1
Re: Re-painting front grille trim?
That's a nice result. My kidneys aren't nearly that bad, the aluminum is just sandblasted and dull.
Dean
Lutz, FL
'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z
Lutz, FL
'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z
Re: Re-painting front grille trim?
Is the original Chrome plating over plastic?
Sansouci
84 E24 633Csi Auto, Bronzit/PearlBeige 6997510
93 E32 740il M60 Auto, Alpenweis/Ultramarine
60 528i M30 5-speed Green/Beige (crushed)
71 240Z 4-speed White/Blue (rusty & sold)
65 396 Chevelle 4-speed, Marina Blue/Black (stolen)
84 E24 633Csi Auto, Bronzit/PearlBeige 6997510
93 E32 740il M60 Auto, Alpenweis/Ultramarine
60 528i M30 5-speed Green/Beige (crushed)
71 240Z 4-speed White/Blue (rusty & sold)
65 396 Chevelle 4-speed, Marina Blue/Black (stolen)
Re: Re-painting front grille trim?
See 3rd. post above.sansouci wrote:Is the original Chrome plating over plastic?
They are ALWAYS rustier than you thought!!!!!!
'85 M #228
'87 M #367
'88 High line.
'10 X5
‘84 Alfasud 1.5 ti
'85 M #228
'87 M #367
'88 High line.
'10 X5
‘84 Alfasud 1.5 ti
Re: Re-painting front grille trim?
Thanks, Ron. This doesn't change my painting strategy a whole lot, other than using the right primer beforehand. If the strips are separable from the grilles, that should save time on masking!ron wrote:No, they are metal strips. They can be removed with a pair of long-nosed pliers by bending the locking tangs carefully as they are fragile.
"Sabine": '88 M6 Royalblau/Silber
SLS delete, Wizard Cooling radiator, BavAuto Strut bar, M-Technik steering wheel, Conforti chip, Bilstein B8s / H&R Lowering Springs, BBE stainless cat-back exhaust
SLS delete, Wizard Cooling radiator, BavAuto Strut bar, M-Technik steering wheel, Conforti chip, Bilstein B8s / H&R Lowering Springs, BBE stainless cat-back exhaust
Re: Re-painting front grille trim?
Do you want the strips to look like the original chrome finish? If so, I'd say the only viable option is the vinyl wrap. If you want the black " shadow lines" look, then primer/paint will do the trick.
Dean
Lutz, FL
'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z
Lutz, FL
'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z
Re: Re-painting front grille trim?
I've seen some good reviews for Plastikote 615 Chrome Bumper paint, but I'd be totally open to trying the vinyl wrap option. Can you recommend a brand/type?dwcains wrote:Do you want the strips to look like the original chrome finish? If so, I'd say the only viable option is the vinyl wrap. If you want the black " shadow lines" look, then primer/paint will do the trick.
"Sabine": '88 M6 Royalblau/Silber
SLS delete, Wizard Cooling radiator, BavAuto Strut bar, M-Technik steering wheel, Conforti chip, Bilstein B8s / H&R Lowering Springs, BBE stainless cat-back exhaust
SLS delete, Wizard Cooling radiator, BavAuto Strut bar, M-Technik steering wheel, Conforti chip, Bilstein B8s / H&R Lowering Springs, BBE stainless cat-back exhaust
Re: Re-painting front grille trim?
I think this stuff will do it, but I won't be sure until I try. Should be here in a few days, and I should have a chance to try it within the next week or so. I've got a adjustable heat gun, which I'm sure is a necessity.
https://www.amazon.com/12x60Chrome-Mirr ... vinyl+wrap
https://www.amazon.com/12x60Chrome-Mirr ... vinyl+wrap
Dean
Lutz, FL
'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z
Lutz, FL
'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z