DIY Black Emblems
 

This may have been discussed previously, but I decided to black out my rear emblems with the use of some Plasti Dip purchased from Lowes. I first cleaned the emblems with alcohol then applied three coats over about 10 minutes and then let dry for an hour. The excess peals off. The emblems can also be returned to chrome by pealing off the Plasti Dip. Total cost about $10.

http://jch.smugmug.com/Cars/C63/DSCN...01_9uVKG-L.jpg

http://jch.smugmug.com/Cars/C63/DSCN...61_3yRrK-L.jpg

http://jch.smugmug.com/Cars/C63/DSCN...42_tXVWa-L.jpg

http://jch.smugmug.com/Cars/C63/DSCN...67_oWFzu-L.jpg

Man that looks great! I think I just may have to try this...but I do have one question; how were you able to peel off the excess without pulling anything off the emblems themselves? In particular, how did you peel the excess from the inside of the star and around/in between the letters/numbers?

Thanks!

Looks great! :y

The excess pulls off around the edges easily. You don't really need to score it although I did use a toothpick a little but just to get an edge to pull on with some tweezers on the interior areas.

Here's a link to a Lexus thread that does a good job of explaining
the process:
http://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-s...-required.html

wow great job.

Plasti-dip is some amazing stuff. I tried to black out my side markers using PD, but I could not get it to go on evenly. i kept getting little air bubbles trapped.

I thought about even using it for my rear spoiler, but after the issues I had spraying it on I decided that was not a good idea until I figured out how to use it.

Any suggestions?

Man this is terrific...I'm going to try this on my emblems, grill and the chrome window trim!

+1 - I was able to successfully handle the removal of the interior of the letters / numbers but after three unsuccessful tries I just left the inside of my star plastidip black

props to OP to getting it done right the first time!

Nice. Maybe not at home depot, but I believe Plasti Dip is available in different colors also!

How durable is this product with washes, rain or rock chips?

Having just applied it I don't have any experience with it yet, but the Lexus thread states that it holds up well over at least a couple years to rock chips, washes, etc. Probably want to keep wax off of it though so it doesn't discolor. You can always peal it off and reapply if necessary.

Nice DIY I did same thing last weekend, but I took the emblems by accident yesterday I wish I didn't.The front grill should get this done to protect it from rock chip.

But guys make sure to apply more that two clear coats using the PD to get thick rubber coat and can easily remove it.

This is a VERY cool trick, thanks for sharing! I'd be nervous spraying my paint w/plasti-dip spray but obviously it pulls off the paint. Not so sure about doing wheels like this (Lexus guys) but the emblems would be easy enough to touch-up if they got scuffed.

Looks great! Came out very clean.
I'm gonna head to Lowes soon. lol

These Lexus guys are insane... a 54-page thread on plasti dip.

BTW you emblems look good. Now do the ones on the front fenders :)

BTW your wheels look sick...and those orange side markers are like huge zits on an otherwise supermodel front fascia! Clear markers brah. :y

I have my front grille chrome Plasti-Dipped. Almost 8K miles, no chips. Looks just as good as the day i did it..

Exactly what I am going to do with my front grill and I am going to use the the same technique. I dont think with plasti dip you need to remove parts because excess just peels off...

Looks good!

Do you know how to remove the front grill? I tried searching but only found a thread on removing the standard W204 grill...I believe our grills are different.

Thanks!

Heres my Plasti-Dipped grille.

https://i902.photobucket.com/albums/...9/11683d1f.jpg


Heres the removal..

Remove the two plastic push fasteners on the top of the grille, than push the grille at the bottom where it meets the bumper. This will unclip it from the bumper. Now lift the grille straight up..
__________________

^^^^^
Thank you for the instructions...can't wait to get this done.

For the emblems, the plasti-dip makes sense b/c you can't easily remove them w/out having to realign and resecure them.

For the grille though, wouldn't it make more sense to remove the entire part and spray w/something more durable? Like a flat/matte enamel spray.

I agree with the grille removal. this is how i did it. As far as durability. I cant see any paint being more durable than Plasti-Dip. It pretty much becomes a rubberized coating extremely resistant to chips, and if in fact it does chip, you can just peel it off, and respray. :y

Right on. I'll have to try this when I finally get the courage to black out the emblems on my car.

great job. and seems very simple - i was thinking about blacking out my cls55 grille or buy buy another one and have it painted but this seems to be able to do the trick!