t-wd.net

I was toying with the idea of getting the stock grille (silver) sprayed to gloss black, but leaving the chrome pieces as they are.

So I tested the pieces with Plastidip:

1. Black Plastidip (matte finish) x 4 coats

2. Glossifier (to convert to gloss black) x 3 coats

I've attached some before & after photos.

Let me know what you think.


My Conclusion:

To be quite honest, if you are looking for a PERFECT finish, then Plastidip is NOT the answer.

However, it does serve as a good testing ground because it is completely removable and can be peeled off without any issues.

Having said all this, I will probably remove the plastidip soon and just get the grille sprayed in gloss black.


Hope this thread gives people an idea of what a gloss black grille would look like on their cars. It is very aggressive looking and in my opinion, much better than the stock silver look.

benzmodz

Are you certain that this is actually cheaper than having a panel shop just paint the part ?

t-wd.net

I never said my approach was cheaper than spraying.

I had plastidip sitting around from other projects, so I gave it a test to see if I liked it before getting it sprayed. At $25 a can, it's inexpensive.

JP(Canada)

Looks great to me! Nice work!

davidwhelan3

Looks great! Great job

t-wd.net

Cheers guys.

Kevin82

Want to do this myself. Did you take off the grill or mask?

E55 Prototype

LOL.. where are you shopping man? it's 6 bucks at lowes.


I do agree on the finish ( just did my window trim ) I think i'm just going to do gloss black vinyl wrap so it's still not permanent.

Plastidip is not for OCD types.

t-wd.net

I masked the chrome , the star and the mesh parts. Then newspaper around the other areas.

Probably easier to remove the grille next time...might give you a better result with the grille lying flat on the ground (during drying period)?

See how you go

In Australia, we pay BIG $$$ for everything bud

You don't want to know the RRP on the car. Double US prices

And yeah, you're right.....definitely not for OCD types.

I would've done vinyl, but I think it' would be really hard with the silver part around the entire 3 point start part...Easier just to spray.

JohnnyUte

+1 on disassembling the grille. I plastidipped with the grille on and off the car and it turned out so much better off the car and was much easier to paint. Not only that, you can remove the chrome and center star to get a better spray.

t-wd.net

Makes sense. If I was to do this again (which I wont only because of the finish) then I'd do exactly this. Top tip, Johnny.

Kevin82

How did you remove the grill? I tried pulling it out but couldn't do it.

johnny--2k

I tried as well and thought I was going to break the grill, so I just left it and did it on the car.

JohnnyUte

Honestly, it's a huge pain but if you want a really good plastidip job, it's worth it. It's kind of hard to explain but there's some plastic trim on top of the grill that attaches to the radiator area. Remove that. Then undo the bolt end of the t-bar that attaches to the grill. Finally, you'll have to push the bottom of the grill inwards which is tough and requires some force. I don't think you'll break it but don't push it beyond what you feel comfortable with. Just work it from there and reach on the back side to push the tabs out of the way to make them undo easier. Again, hard to explain but you'll see what I mean when you get in there. Eventually, the grill just pops out and you can lift it upwards.

J__

nice, looks much better. I think it would be nicer if flat black.

BlackjackM

I had mine plasti dipped for a while and liked the look so I took off the plasti dip and spray painted it with a semigloss black. Looks much better but I already have a chip in the finish. The plasti dip holds up much better to stones and such.

Phileros

Waiting for my new car to get here.. Then plasidipping to my wee heart's content... .. Great tips!

AV1

Great job, looks good and suits a red coloured C Class

I suppose any black high lights to trims are a matter of taste and a case of each to their own

Personally I still prefer the silver colour on the grille for my diamond white Coupe, I'm going to get it painted up in gloss silver exactly the same as on the grilles of the E Class that way it'll both look better and be easier to clean