Painted grill + Highway driving?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 543
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From: Fort Myers, FL
'09 C300 4Matic Sport
Painted grill + Highway driving?
For those of you that have painted your stock sport grill...how has it held up...especially for those that do alot of highway driving?
I have a C63 grill on now but I must've gotten a cheap version b/c it feels like it's going ot fall apart any day now. The chrome horizontal pieces are loose and feel like they are going to fall off. I'm thinking of just painting my stock sport grill...but I do alot of highway driving and am concerned about the paint chipping. I think I read somebody on here painted theirs every week b/c of chips...definitely not worth the trouble if that's the case.
Thanks in advance
I have a C63 grill on now but I must've gotten a cheap version b/c it feels like it's going ot fall apart any day now. The chrome horizontal pieces are loose and feel like they are going to fall off. I'm thinking of just painting my stock sport grill...but I do alot of highway driving and am concerned about the paint chipping. I think I read somebody on here painted theirs every week b/c of chips...definitely not worth the trouble if that's the case.
Thanks in advance
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,809
Likes: 4
From: Chino Hills, CA
Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
If you're worried about chipping, get it painted gloss black with heavy heavy layer of clear. You won't be able to get by with flat black and avoid chipping. Alternatively you can also use black vinyl which will be more resistant to chips and if any piece does chip, you can just tear off that section and put on a new one.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
From: Fort Myers, FL
'09 C300 4Matic Sport
If you're worried about chipping, get it painted gloss black with heavy heavy layer of clear. You won't be able to get by with flat black and avoid chipping. Alternatively you can also use black vinyl which will be more resistant to chips and if any piece does chip, you can just tear off that section and put on a new one.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,809
Likes: 4
From: Chino Hills, CA
Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
I know my vinyl guy made a cutout once. But you could really do it yourself fairly easily. Just take some paper and make a mold cutout of your grille slats. Then get a sheet of vinyl and cut it yourself.
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Chino Hills, CA
Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
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Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 147
Likes: 1
From: C-town and the Bridge
2008 C230
I used a matte black bumper paint. Yeah its got its wee chips and such in it and Ive only had on a wek or two but I do plenty of driving on the higghway. jsut keep your distance from vehicles in front of you. Im oredering a c63 grill soon anyways
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,005
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From: Toronto
2009 C300 4Matic
what is some good vinyl to use?
http://www.stickercity.com/51-x-line...nyl-sheet.html
??
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MATTE...Q5fAccessories
??
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Matte...Q5fAccessories
??
http://cgi.ebay.com/15-x-50yd-MATTE-...3286.m20.l1116
??
http://www.stickercity.com/51-x-line...nyl-sheet.html
??
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MATTE...Q5fAccessories
??
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Matte...Q5fAccessories
??
http://cgi.ebay.com/15-x-50yd-MATTE-...3286.m20.l1116
??
Last edited by TB5...; May 22, 2009 at 03:32 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 290
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From: Read the name
C300 4matic Sport, CBR 954
or u could go another route, u could have it professionaly painted at a body shop, yeah might cost more but i would bet it lasts longer than if u did it urself, of course just a thought.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,809
Likes: 4
From: Chino Hills, CA
Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
It would still get chipped up if you wanted flat/satin cause you can't protect it with layers of clear. For gloss black, yeah, get it professionally done.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
From: Read the name
C300 4matic Sport, CBR 954
true, i was assuming he didnt want flat black and ive found out its not that expensive, i hear body shops doing it for about 50 bucks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 3
From: Ohio
X3 and 2012 C coming soon
For those of you that have painted your stock sport grill...how has it held up...especially for those that do alot of highway driving?
I have a C63 grill on now but I must've gotten a cheap version b/c it feels like it's going ot fall apart any day now. The chrome horizontal pieces are loose and feel like they are going to fall off. I'm thinking of just painting my stock sport grill...but I do alot of highway driving and am concerned about the paint chipping. I think I read somebody on here painted theirs every week b/c of chips...definitely not worth the trouble if that's the case.
Thanks in advance
I have a C63 grill on now but I must've gotten a cheap version b/c it feels like it's going ot fall apart any day now. The chrome horizontal pieces are loose and feel like they are going to fall off. I'm thinking of just painting my stock sport grill...but I do alot of highway driving and am concerned about the paint chipping. I think I read somebody on here painted theirs every week b/c of chips...definitely not worth the trouble if that's the case.
Thanks in advance
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 581
Likes: 13
From: NJ
C350
What is the Heavy Duty Paint? VHT? I dont remember the specific type. Does anyone know? I want to paint mine gloss black to match my exterior. I do much highway driving and want to prevent chipping as much as possible. How many coats and what clear coat should I buy?
