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View Full Version : Matte VS Gloss Grills


M0nk3y
03-23-2011, 12:08 PM
I apologize for the weird placement. Move accordingly.

I'm going to be replacing my stock grills with some black grills. I think it makes the front end much more aggressive. Especially on Red Paint.

Anyways, I've been lurking through forums and discovered that BMW makes a Grill that is called "Chrome Black". Essentially, it's Gloss Black Grill.

There are none of these grills available for purchase on the E86 frame. However. I've been thinking.

Jet Black is a color from BMW that has little to no Flakes in the paint, itself (Compared to Sapphire Black, which is completely different).

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/8489/p1040693vk3.jpg

Anyways. I've been thinking....

I was going to buy Matte Black Grills (probably from Jlevi). I was then going to buy some JB Paint, and Clear. I have a spray gun at home...You get where I'm trying to go?

I am going to throw a couple of coats on the Grills with Clear and produce my own version of Gloss Black Grills...Sweet, right?

Anyways, Vote up...let me know what you think:

Matte:

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/8659/349d.jpg

http://www.jlevistreetwerks.com/images/newproductphoto100.jpg

BMW's "Chrome Black"

http://www.bmwblog.com/wp-content/uploads/f10grill10.jpg

http://bmaparts.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/f10grill8.jpg

And my car:

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/1nFeCt1oN/DSC_0032-2.jpg
pyreguy
03-23-2011, 01:26 PM
Match whatever your lower mesh is IMO

I liked the matte for mine cause the sedan has matte black trim all over the place, it breaks up all the shiny black, and stands out better while tying the room together. Your car doesn't have all that trim, so I think whatever matches your lowers will look hot.

I am interested in your homemade gloss black idea as well. Do it!
danewilson77
03-23-2011, 01:45 PM
I vote dhu eeet...but can't vote with TT.

Droid! Srs Legitness!
az3579
03-23-2011, 01:56 PM
My vote goes to matte. You don't have any shiny/glossy black trim, so it wouldn't match anything. Painting a matte set JB is an additional cost for not really that much of a difference in appearance, so IMO it's not worth it.
M54Dave
03-23-2011, 04:23 PM
I am voting for gloss back since that is what I am leaning towards.

Here is a pic of a 335is with the grill i am thinking about,

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v36/M3drifter/5904-the-new-335is-for-2011.jpg
M0nk3y
03-23-2011, 04:27 PM
Thank you for that photo...it helps alot.

Even though the lower trim is Matte Black (the mesh). I think it ties the whole front end together. It's like going from glossy paint to glossy grills, it seems to flow.

It makes the eyes appreciate the whole car, not JUST the front end. Makes sense?
az3579
03-23-2011, 05:21 PM
Thank you for that photo...it helps alot.

Even though the lower trim is Matte Black (the mesh). I think it ties the whole front end together. It's like going from glossy paint to glossy grills, it seems to flow.

It makes the eyes appreciate the whole car, not JUST the front end. Makes sense?

Dunno, doesn't seem dramatic enough of a change to make it seem like that. Grills to me don't have that much of an effect when it comes to glossy vs. matte. Chrome vs. black is another story, but not the actual shininess of the finish.
otto99
03-24-2011, 04:36 AM
I personally prefer the chrome kidneys on mine, but it's black and I don't care for the Darth Vader look, NTTAWWT, just personal taste. On red it's a different story, and I'd go matte black.
pyreguy
03-24-2011, 05:01 AM
I think I will have to call my car Vader from now on
mikeyb74
03-24-2011, 05:07 AM
I would go with the Matte Black
az3579
03-24-2011, 05:30 AM
I think I will have to call my car Vader from now on

I like it!
gr330zhp
03-24-2011, 10:22 AM
I would say color-matched.

Always wondered what gloss looked like until I met up Channing yesterday, his ZHP has gloss black grilles and they looks sooo good! Gloss if not Imola
kayger12
03-24-2011, 11:11 AM
I would go with the gloss. Not a big fan of the matte black.
johnrando
03-24-2011, 12:00 PM
I liked the chrome black, but it seems to make sense to color match. I've thought about black grills on my Jet Black, but I think that would be too dark. I like the overall black/chrome that my car has to enhance the brightness/contrast.
M0nk3y
03-24-2011, 05:34 PM
Ok, I ordered Jet Black Paint...lets see how this goes.
pyreguy
03-24-2011, 05:34 PM
Hell yeah....
danewilson77
03-24-2011, 05:39 PM
In for pics.

Droid! Srs Legitness!
kayger12
03-24-2011, 05:46 PM
Like!

Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.
M0nk3y
03-24-2011, 06:47 PM
Won't happen until I get home for spring break...1 month :(
billschusteriv
03-25-2011, 07:06 AM
Woo hoo! Pics in a month!
M54Dave
03-27-2011, 07:35 PM
Looking forward to seeing the pics when it is done!