Body color grill question
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 674
Likes: 0
From: USA
1999 C43
Body color grill question
I have a black 99 C43, I was wondering if any of you (black especially) have the grill painted matching the body color? I am thinking about painting it black... Just wanted to have an idea....
Any comments, and PICTURES are sincerely appreciated.
Thank you
Any comments, and PICTURES are sincerely appreciated.
Thank you
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 674
Likes: 0
From: USA
1999 C43
My car came with and unfortunate %5 tint, I just got a warning from a cop, cause the legal here is %32. It is almost all black except the rims and grill. Grill looks like a very easy DIY.
I don't know who would paint the rims...
Rims
I don't know who would paint the rims...
Rims
Originally Posted by hy-rail benz
if you do paint your grill,then i think you should go for the all black look, with black rims and super dark tint. super gangster style
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,559
Likes: 0
From: Portsmouth, NH
none
I would purchase the S600 grill off of ebay like everyone has and paint it. If it looks great install it, if it doesn't you can keep the OEM grill. I took a chance and painted the OEM grill off of the car. I used a plastic paint(2 coats) with a clear coat(2 coats). Wet sand/buff in between coats if you fudge the sprays. It will take a day or two due to drying, multiple coats, etc..so you can see it would help to have a spare grill. I removed the two metal strips going across the grill as they wouldn't hold the plastic paint. The strips left mounting holes which I filled with body fill and smoothed out. Tape off the chrome surround if you want to keep it.
Total job cost me about $10 in paint and supplies. Labor was a bigger factor but it was a weekend beer in the garage excuse.
Total job cost me about $10 in paint and supplies. Labor was a bigger factor but it was a weekend beer in the garage excuse.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 674
Likes: 0
From: USA
1999 C43
Thank you for the advice. What brand or type of paint do you think i should get? Or can i buy matching MB paint from dealer as in a spray bottle?
Or........... Can I just go to Wal-Mart, or Autozone and pick it up?
Or........... Can I just go to Wal-Mart, or Autozone and pick it up?
Originally Posted by NitrogenBalance
I would purchase the S600 grill off of ebay like everyone has and paint it. If it looks great install it, if it doesn't you can keep the OEM grill. I took a chance and painted the OEM grill off of the car. I used a plastic paint(2 coats) with a clear coat(2 coats). Wet sand/buff in between coats if you fudge the sprays. It will take a day or two due to drying, multiple coats, etc..so you can see it would help to have a spare grill. I removed the two metal strips going across the grill as they wouldn't hold the plastic paint. The strips left mounting holes which I filled with body fill and smoothed out. Tape off the chrome surround if you want to keep it.
Total job cost me about $10 in paint and supplies. Labor was a bigger factor but it was a weekend beer in the garage excuse.
Total job cost me about $10 in paint and supplies. Labor was a bigger factor but it was a weekend beer in the garage excuse.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 674
Likes: 0
From: USA
1999 C43
Months ago, i saw the difference between Stype grill and the regular one, I did not see much difference, S type has more chrome that I can't stand.
I'll just try to paint the existing one as soon as someone tell me what kind of paint I should use.. If I am lucky, some one that did it might post the steps
I'll just try to paint the existing one as soon as someone tell me what kind of paint I should use.. If I am lucky, some one that did it might post the steps
Originally Posted by NitrogenBalance
I would purchase the S600 grill off of ebay like everyone has and paint it. If it looks great install it, if it doesn't you can keep the OEM grill. I took a chance and painted the OEM grill off of the car. I used a plastic paint(2 coats) with a clear coat(2 coats). Wet sand/buff in between coats if you fudge the sprays. It will take a day or two due to drying, multiple coats, etc..so you can see it would help to have a spare grill. I removed the two metal strips going across the grill as they wouldn't hold the plastic paint. The strips left mounting holes which I filled with body fill and smoothed out. Tape off the chrome surround if you want to keep it.
Total job cost me about $10 in paint and supplies. Labor was a bigger factor but it was a weekend beer in the garage excuse.
Total job cost me about $10 in paint and supplies. Labor was a bigger factor but it was a weekend beer in the garage excuse.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta
C280
NitrogenBalance described the process rather well, but some one will probably detail the steps for you.
My stock grill has major dings on the chrome. I plan to paint the plastic grill black and then insert new chrome strips ($5 a piece).
My stock grill has major dings on the chrome. I plan to paint the plastic grill black and then insert new chrome strips ($5 a piece).
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 674
Likes: 0
From: USA
1999 C43
I was waiting for someone to give me an advice for the paint, so I can buy it at lunch time, but I guess i'll go ahead and pick a regular black car paint spray 
Originally Posted by Cyan
NitrogenBalance described the process rather well, but some one will probably detail the steps for you.
My stock grill has major dings on the chrome. I plan to paint the plastic grill black and then insert new chrome strips ($5 a piece).
My stock grill has major dings on the chrome. I plan to paint the plastic grill black and then insert new chrome strips ($5 a piece).
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,559
Likes: 0
From: Portsmouth, NH
none
I have a friend who works in an auto body so he gets me leftovers and industrial stuff. However, I have used "Fusion" on my snowmobile plastic before and it works as good if not better. You can find it anywhere and it comes in a regular spray can in the paint section. I think it's made by krylon and it's made for plastic. You don't need primer or clear if you use it. It won't stick to the metal strips though. I would tape off the metal strips if you don't intend on pulling them off. If you want to paint the metal strips you will have to sand the chrome off of them or ruff it up real well so the paint will stick. Also, if you paint the chrome strips I would prime them and paint with a separate paint designed for metal.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 674
Likes: 0
From: USA
1999 C43
Ok.... I really don't know what is plastic what is metal on the grill. Do I have to sand the chrome out really? My original plan was,to take out the whole grill, clean it throughly, wipe it up and spray the paint.. Done!
Not a good idea?
(Thank you for paint advice)
Not a good idea?
(Thank you for paint advice)
Originally Posted by NitrogenBalance
I have a friend who works in an auto body so he gets me leftovers and industrial stuff. However, I have used "Fusion" on my snowmobile plastic before and it works as good if not better. You can find it anywhere and it comes in a regular spray can in the paint section. I think it's made by krylon and it's made for plastic. You don't need primer or clear if you use it. It won't stick to the metal strips though. I would tape off the metal strips if you don't intend on pulling them off. If you want to paint the metal strips you will have to sand the chrome off of them or ruff it up real well so the paint will stick. Also, if you paint the chrome strips I would prime them and paint with a separate paint designed for metal.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta
C280
Your stock grill (99 c43) should be gray high-impact plastic with chrome metal (slip-on) strips. Like NitrogenBalance said, the Fusion paint is specially formulated for plastics. That's what I bought for my grill.
Show us some pics when you're done!!
Show us some pics when you're done!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,559
Likes: 0
From: Portsmouth, NH
none
The red arrows are the metal parts. The cross pieces and the grill surround. These parts won't hold the plastic "fusion" paint. If you want to paint these areas you will need to tape off the plastic parts afterwards and paint them separtatly. If you want to retain the chrome surround as I did or cross pieces I would tape them off. It's important to buy a good quality automotive masking tape and take your time taping things off. Use a thin dull blade to "tuck" the edge of the tape into the seam between the plastic and metal. Taking your time will show on the finished product. Simply clean the plastic areas with a proper cleaner and spray about 12in away in a back and forth pattern. 3x thin coats of Gloss black fusion paint with drying time in between and your done. Let it cure for a few hours at least, then pull the tape and its over.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,761
Likes: 4
From: North Carolina
98 Black C43 , 12’ ML 350 Blutec
Originally Posted by Vardar
I was waiting for someone to give me an advice for the paint, so I can buy it at lunch time, but I guess i'll go ahead and pick a regular black car paint spray
http://www.krylon.com/main/product_t...roduct_details
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 674
Likes: 0
From: USA
1999 C43
No tape needed, it will all be black.
Thank you very much for the advice and info. I sincerely appreciate it
Thank you very much for the advice and info. I sincerely appreciate it
Originally Posted by NitrogenBalance
If you want to retain the chrome surround as I did or cross pieces I would tape them off. It's important to buy a good quality automotive masking tape and take your time taping things off. Use a thin dull blade to "tuck" the edge of the tape into the seam between the plastic and metal.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
1996 C36 AMG, 1995 Volvo 850 Turbowagon
find a local powder coating shop. they'll do a pretty job. there must be some in georgia. if not, find a local metal shop and ask where they go for painting.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,627
Likes: 0
From: Switzerland
C 320 CDI 4M W204 / C43 AMG (W202) / C 220 CDI T (S203) / ZX-10R Ninja
A paint shop should be able to paint the grille in 040 or 197 (not sure which color code you have) so the grill will have the same color as the body.
