Adi-Benz

Hey guys!

Finally got around to doing a mod, and that being said, my first ever

Dipped the grill

I have a lot of pictures so BE READY.

I used Rustoleum Peel Coat
+Comes glossy
+Saves you money
+Available at Whale-Mart

Would not recommend otherwise, too thin. Did ~7 coats both parts.

My bumper was a little scratched from the previous owners highway driving and rocks hitting the bumper and what not. Supposedly is a common problem, this isn't too much of a solution, but I killed 2 birds with 1 stone.

First, taping:



First coat, as you can see it is really thin and drips down, but eventually it goes away after few coats, thank god.



Few coats later. Not really sure when, and not a great photo.



Then, I figured I can't just do the bumper and leave the grill! LOL. Instead of taking out the grill, I found a good way to protect the radiator; insert the magazines in the slits at the top. It covers all of it as long as you place it well, and there's no need to remove anything.



As you can see, first few coats. Didn't really cover up chrome/star much.



Gains.



Peeled overspray on star and cleaned up a bit, this is the next day.



Finally, trimmed the chrome. Much easier doing this than breaking the pieces off. Conclusion.




I'm really satisfied with this. Keeps the luxury feel and seems
like pretty good work. Since it came with gloss I didn't have to
use gloss to get it done, but I might end up doing a protection coat.
Otherwise looks good IMO.

Adi-Benz

Pic of can for reference: i.imgur.com/F0DGHBK.jpg

MB Marko

Totally changes the look of the car, great job! Its such an inexpensive mod but really makes a difference!

I hear touch ups are a breeze with the plasti dip, as soon as my wrapped front lip gets beat up, ill be getting some plasti dip

stgry1

Looks good!

mr.brightside

nice job! looks well done!

Adi-Benz

Thanks! Most people tend to screw up using dip for their first time but everything went well!

I still don't understand why anyone would go through all the work of removing the grill and chrome; I'd say ~60% of the people end up breaking a chrome piece.

This was easy and it gets the same coverage.

I'm glad I did it.

LCPLPunk

Looks great! Can we get some further away/angled shots too?

K3NnYDRuM

Wow! You did it the brave way haha. Looks good as well

Adi-Benz

Thanks! Yes, I'll get to it tomorrow cause soon I'll be heading to Florida for vacation.

Thanks!

Adi-Benz

Sorry about this, but I simply don't have enough time to take some photos, but when I get back I'll throw some pics your way :3

ickdeep

Looks really good. I've been thinking about dipping the lower bumper part like you did but I get worried about creating the perfect edges on it. Any tips for that?

Adi-Benz

I'll get back to you eventually;

Adi-Benz

Well Ick I hope you haven't forgotten to check back since it's been a while since I replied...I was on vacation and have been busy past few days...

I peeled the tape really slowly, and if I saw some rubber connected to the part that I needed on, I used a small razor blade to cut the rubber gently. I know a lot of people have issues using dip but really for a first timer it hasn't necessarily been much of a problem for me. Also, the luxury bumper is slightly different, and I think you have it a bit easier but it makes more of a statement. I'd say give it a shot, and trust me, with 1 can you can screw up like 3 times if you had to xD

Adi-Benz

Right, well now that I've replied to Ick,

Update: crap. Since coming from vacation and what I did before vacation, I maybe took the car out 4 times on city roads. The "peel coat" has had a few scratches and weird mini-star spots that show white through. I just plasti dip'd my wheels, and plasti dip is way thicker and holds better. I figured I will redo the grill and bumper since I have an extra can and a half. Already did bumper. I DO NOT RECOMMEND PEEL COAT is the summary here. Once I redo the grill, everything will look awesome, and this plasti dip is lookin pretty good :P I'll have pics up eventually, possibly in a different thread.

ItalianJoe1

Almost liked it better with just the emblem chrome showing, but the final pic looks great. Nice work.

Adi-Benz

Ha yea, I had a moment while doing it when I was like "whoa this looks good... idk if I should keep going" but I'm glad I did, it looks even better IRL. Thanks!

Josh.A.Hussey

This is the TRUTH!

I took all my chrome off and that was EASILY the most difficult part.

I only did my grill and rear badging, but I didn't find it bad at all either although I have also seen people have trouble! I think it's one of those things that you have to worry so little about that people aren't quite as careful about it and end up having to do it three times.

I have to redo my grill now.. it's got some rock damage (because of the plasti-dip, not the grill itself, just the dip! ) and I think when I do it I might actually do what you've got done with the bumper!! It looks great!!

P.S. I think saying "easily" the hardest part was a little convoluted... To rephrase.. it was a B!*CH.

Adi-Benz

Haha agreed! A big problem for these cars is actually the rock damage :s thats why I'm looking for touch up paint lol.

Josh.A.Hussey

Yeah, I looked for a metal bumper mesh too at one point... at $500 a kit, I am going to keep buying the $80 dollar plastic ones... And if you do it you have GOT to get the kit, otherwise it looks weird af... At least from what I guess just trying to picture it because I've never seen it as I doubt ANYONE would do it! Hahaha.

Adi-Benz

I assume the metal bumper would lower fuel efficiency and speed, I can't imagine them making titanium/CF bumpers lol. Either way too much $$.

Josh.A.Hussey

Hahahaha not the entire bumper!!! Just the grill mesh!

Adi-Benz

OH that makes sense now xD

I was thinkin we were gonna build an armored c300 man!

staplescenter

I wonder how it looks like with a black c250 and only a star that's chrome but rest is matte black

Josh.A.Hussey

Now THERES a new DIY idea!

Adi-Benz

Updated pictures here of plasti dip, also moved on to do rims and brakes: https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w204/631985-2010-arctic-white-c300-plasti-dip-rims-red-brakes.html