I'm going to black out my grill!

[Mitch]

Hi guys, this seems to be similar to the other blacking out thread, but I want to black out my chrome grill on my E39 M5. I've seen some carbon fiber grills on ebay, and I might go that route later. Heres my plan:

Remove grill, scuff all the chrome with Scotch Brite pad, light coat of primer, paint a couple of coats with glossy black Rustoleum? Thoughts?

[88e28]

Hi guys, this seems to be similar to the other blacking out thread, but I want to black out my chrome grill on my E39 M5. I've seen some carbon fiber grills on ebay, and I might go that route later. Heres my plan:

Remove grill, scuff all the chrome with Scotch Brite pad, light coat of primer, paint a couple of coats with glossy black Rustoleum? Thoughts?

Mitch, Just buy a Black Grill, For the rest of the car after preping, Get etching primer 4-5 coats then light sand, Then 5-6 coats of trim paint.

[BMRSEB]

+1 on just buying a black grill.. You can go Ebay or get them from J Levi StreetWorks (http://jlevistreetwerks.com/store/BMW-E39-5-Series-Exterior/c30_37_148/p578/Matte-Black-M5-Style-Front-Grill-Set-for-the-E39/product_info.html?osCsid=0e709201e84ce471fec91185f 52b0689). I'll be getting mine from them.. :)

I'm not that good with the painting stuff..:(

[Catmint]

I agree about buying a new grill. From what I've heard, if you pop out the old grill there's a great chance you'll pop off one or more of the tabs that holds it in place. They're not too pricey so they're worth buying a new one. That's what I'll be doing with mine, too.

*never thought I'd see the day when I'm giving advice on a car forum* :confused:

[Catmint]

Oh, and one more thing in case you're going to be painting your other trim. I'm not sure about the Rustoleum you mentioned, for my trim I bought actual "Trim Paint" from the auto parts store. It's not that expensive. Also, get a very fine grit sandpaper, not just Scotch Brite (again, it's available at the auto parts store). I've heard you can use the 600 grit, but the guy at the store talked me into getting 1000 grit. I haven't actually done the project yet, though.

*still :confused:* lol

[Philip]

Hi guys, this seems to be similar to the other blacking out thread, but I want to black out my chrome grill on my E39 M5. I've seen some carbon fiber grills on ebay, and I might go that route later. Heres my plan:

Remove grill, scuff all the chrome with Scotch Brite pad, light coat of primer, paint a couple of coats with glossy black Rustoleum? Thoughts?

I've done no less than 10 sets of grills anywhere from silver to gun metal (which looks the best on black cars) to flat black and gloss black. I'll help you out if you want. It's tricky to get them right and it involves alot more paint and clear coat than you might think.
Here's a before/after pic with the gun metal grills/black car...

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/philipwot/philandwalkerscars.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/philipwot/grilles.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/philipwot/bimmerforumssig.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/philipwot/borat.jpg
Blacked out grills look niiiiiiiiiice

[Mitch]

I agree with you guys, I might just need to get another set of grills. But I'm not afraid of a little DIY mods on the M5 either! :)

[Catmint]

I agree with you guys, I might just need to get another set of grills. But I'm not afraid of a little DIY mods on the M5 either! :)

You could always take out the grill and try it. I don't think the painting itself is very difficult, just getting the grill out and re-installing it. That way, if it works great, if not you can just order a new one. I agree, DIY is much more satisfying (not to mention cheaper!). Good luck!

[SWINFORD]

Just buy a new one

[Philip]

The trickiest part of all is getting the grills out without breaking all the little tabs that hold them in place. I've devised a very effective system to get them out that requires about 6 flathead screwdrivers, a snorkel, a bottle of WD-40 and alot of patience.

[Mitch]

Hmmm, I wonder if Strictly German has a set of grills that I can experiment with?

[Philip]

Hmmm, I wonder if Strictly German has a set of grills that I can experiment with?

They sell them for the same price as dealer retail. They're not terribly expensive from Global.

[BMRSEB]

Hmmm, I wonder if Strictly German has a set of grills that I can experiment with?

For the price of "experimentation" you can probably just get the black ones, ~$55.. :) Just a thought..

[4ngie]

The grills on my E46 and my E46 are painted. It works fine.

[Catmint]

The trickiest part of all is getting the grills out without breaking all the little tabs that hold them in place. I've devised a very effective system to get them out that requires about 6 flathead screwdrivers, a snorkel, a bottle of WD-40 and alot of patience.

Hmm, I've read about that procedure, but I thought it also included a couple shots of Jack. ;)

[BMRSEB]

Well, another reason I like the "pre-painted" ones over painting the existing is that the painted ones (re: E39) are usually, or at least the ones I have seen, are like the M5 grills.

That is, they extend over the grill opening a little, instead of mostly "in" the grill like the pre-01, non M5 E39's.

[Mitch]

I think I am going to end up buying a pair of the black ones from ebay or somewhere. But I did run across this stuff:
http://www.innate.com/Paint/Chrome/HyperBlack.htm

Would look pretty cool huh?

[BMRSEB]

I think I am going to end up buying a pair of the black ones from ebay or somewhere. But I did run across this stuff:
http://www.innate.com/Paint/Chrome/HyperBlack.htm

Would look pretty cool huh?
The Hyper Black would look interesting with your car.. It's Carbon Black, right?

[Mitch]

Yep! I think it would be sharp on the front grill.

[blackstig]

Yep! I think it would be sharp on the front grill.

As opposed to the rear gille.

-Stig

[4ngie]

As opposed to the rear gille.

-Stig
or the grille.

[MachSchnell]

Pwned :wave:

[blackstig]

ahhhh, sniped before the edit button could be applied . . .

Touche . . .

You win this time Gadget . . . but I'll get you next time . . . .NEXT TIME!


*mmeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeoooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwww*

-Stig

[Stretch]

I see no reason why you would want to pay 90 bucks for a set of painted grilles. I just did mine after the P/O did a crappy job of installing the ones on the car and broke a couple tabs.

97 M3 Kidney grills - $28 ea after tax
Wal mart primer - $1
Wal mart flat black - $1

It takes a matter of 30 minutes to do this.

[88e28]

Got mine already done for $55.00.

[Stretch]

55 isnt too bad...I guess its the college kid in me that wants to save a buck every now and then haha.

[RP540i-sport]

I've done both painting and buying pre painted and i say just go on E-bay and buy a pre painted grill. Or even a black unpainted one will look good.....thats what i have.....less work not expensive and will never chip.

[88e28]

I've done both painting and buying pre painted and i say just go on E-bay and buy a pre painted grill. Or even a black unpainted one will look good.....thats what i have.....less work not expensive and will never chip.

I agree..+1

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