OceanView

I want to blackout my front grill but don't know if Painting or Powdercoating is the best method.
I have used the search feature and but no concensus on what is the best method. Some people have stated that the front grill is made of plastic and therefore cannot be powdercoated. I am not sure what the W210 grills are made of.

Can anyone comment on the best method?

Thanks

mike430sport

powder coating is wayyyyyyyy stronger!

OceanView

I have to check to see if it is possible.
Apparently powdercoating is not possible on plastic.
Anyone know if the grill on a 96 E320 is plastic or not?

Alexbenz

powder coating is the best way to go, it might cost more but it lasts longer and won't chip like paint..........some have done it.....

OceanView

Hi Alex,

Can you tell me where you got yours done?
I am being told that my grill is plastic therefore it can't be powdercoated.

Thanks

JKA

What about color-keyed instead of black?

OceanView

I am not familiar with that process.
Can you elaborate?

JKA

Not a process.

Color-keyed means to paint it (or powder coat it) the same as the car's body color.

OceanView

My Car is black so the black out grill would be perfectly matched for my car.
My main question on this thread is to determine if I can powdercoat my grill or not. I know that I can paint it but I am trying to stay away from that as I have heard that the paint will chip and peel off much easier than if I was to get it powdercoated. Since I believe the grill is made of plastic it cannot be powdercoated. There seems to be some people that have had thiers powdercoated as Alex above has mentioned.
I am just trying to get the correct answer so that I can get it done.

X55

The factory grill cannot be powdercoated as it is plastic under the chrome finish. I checked with the guy who does my powdercoating and he confirmed the grill would melt during the curing process which involves heat. I ended up sanding the chrome off mine and priming/painting it. Took a very long time to get the chrome off by hand.

OceanView

Do you know if you can sandblast the chrome off?

X55

It would probably be too harsh on the plastic and leave an uneven surface for paint

my E430 rocket

what about spray paint?

OceanView

That is the last option.
Painting it is prone to chipping.

Alexbenz

i just had it painted.......i don't drive the car much and never really on the freeway so i'm ok from rock chips....

mario, with the e55 had his powdercoated and also a guy i knew had his e-class one powdercoated and it was great......paid around 100-150 i think but you can.......i've been to powdercoaters before and some don't know jack about things but ask mario55 , i think thats his screen name, he has a silver 1999 e55........if i find anymore info about a shop that does it i'll let you know