forcedE55

I'm looking to update my 04 E55 grill, Any one know of a nice grill? The stock one looks a little dated but all the ones I have looked into seem to look a little funny. Hoping you pros would know of a nice one that does not look goofy

FASN8N

Factory grill in gloss black

AKnight55

^^^^ +1. Same, factory in gloss black

HeissRod

Any vote for the black grill, except I'll be going with a 4-fin.

Rhaunschild1980

Factory with gloss black here as well.....still searching for a permanent solution for rock chips though! I believe this look is the cleanest....anything is better than the horrible star grill! Good luck

pearlpower

Stock grill in any color is now boring to me. Currently a pearl black with no chip issues but Yugo boring. Looking for alternatives as well. I like the 3 spoke mesh grills but the star is a bit big for my taste.

forcedE55

I have to admit the black stock grill looks great, especially since my car is also white. Has anyone discovered a proper way of painting the grill to hold up to debris and have the black gloss finish turn nice. Don't want the grill to look like it came off of a Honda after painting it lol. Any suggestions are appreciated!

pearlpower

Separate the two halves. MUST as they will rub on each other which will remove paint in between them. You can either sand down the chrome which is quicker or as I did , peel off the chrome which will take a very long time, prime, use a quality paint like Rustoleum (not trim paint). 2-3 coats. Then 3 coats of clear. Allow to dry, do not rush.

I have no chips and this is with me hitting 150+ once a week or so and it has held up well for several months.

Rhaunschild1980

Will a light sandblast help remove the chrome tape? I know that I have tried other grills with that stuff on there and it was nearly impossible to peel it off! Any chemicals?

forcedE55

I think Black epoxy paint will work best

Rhaunschild1980

I dont mean to thread jack but i am trying the epoxy paint as we speak....I will let you all know how it turns out!

Tranman

Paint it black and CF wrap it!

Rhaunschild1980

That looks sick!

pullejo

What?!?!?!? A grill conversation and I haven't been bashed yet?!?!?!

I actually have the my damn big 3 fin star grill back in because it bugs me LESS than my EVER chipping black factory grill.

Project grill this weekend - hopefully Rhaunschild1980 will post back results of his black epoxy experiment with good results and I'll probably go that route.

draz.amg

the CF looks really good. that or the gloss black would be best.

pearlpower

90% of the success is in the prep. Poor prep and you will get chips the 1st hour.

justinwrock

Grille frame - body color then the plastic insert - gloss black.

Rhaunschild1980

Black epoxy paint seems to be the best solution so far....and as mentioned earlier...prep is everything! This time around I used a self etching primer as I did not want to spend two weeks peeling chrome tape. Self etching primer seems to have done the trick but these findings could be a bit premature.....time will tell!!

Rhaunschild1980

Thanks forcede55 for the suggestion!

pullejo

What I've got:

The "chipper":



The "bigun'":



Other than the board here...people actually seem to like the big star.

HeissRod

That looks awesome! I love the lack of vertical supports. Which model is that grill from?

forcedE55

Any pics of your finished product Rhaun?

Rhaunschild1980

i will post up a pic after lunch!

pullejo

I went the plasti-dip route this weekend.

So far, so good. About 4 good coats of the stuff. It is definitely not a "smooth" finish, but I'm pretty sure it won't chip either. Will go great with the matte black wheels I have my eyes on.

forcedE55

pis?