Chrome to Black - It's the small touches...

[Cadeez]

Last night I removed the final chrome item from my car...the 330i emblem. After I got it off and cleaned up the surface I even debated keeping it that way, I always debadge my cars and love the clean look. But I already had the new emblem so I decided to complete the job. Picked up a gloss black emblem from Bimmian for $20 after I saw it on another SG 330i (link below), loved the look. Most people won't even notice, but I think it makes a huge difference. However when my package arrived I was surprised to see that each character was in it's own little package!? I assumed they would come on a "strip" or something...nope. Wasn't too hard to put them on, I can explain my technique if anyone is interested, but I'm coming to realize this post is probably bordering on being in the "Projects" section as it is so I'll just stop at pics. sorry pics aren't too great, taken with my BB rather quickly.

http://www.bimmian.com/46/SVE/

Before...
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/jcadell/330iemblemchrome.jpg


And here's how she looks now, I freakin love it.
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/jcadell/330iemblemblack.jpg

[Marcus-SanDiego]

I think it looks really good.

[danewilson77]

Nice. I did this on my TiAg. I was happy as well.

[Cadeez]

Thanks guys. I even parked in a different spot at work this morning just so when I leave for lunch my car's ass is staring at me instead of the front, haha... Not sure how it would look on Imola, but Dane likes to be different, you should give it a try!

[az3579]

Black badge FTW. Casey is going to have a heart attack. Lol

Sent from my DROIDX

[johnrando]

Ooh, I REALLY like that look. Wouldn't make much sense on mine I don't think. John

[Cadeez]

Thanks John. You could do a matte black on yours, I think that'd look pretty sweet actually. But you do have the chrome wheels and grill, so maybe just stay OEM.

[billschusteriv]

+1. Very nice.

I saw on another local e46 and immediately wanted to do the matte black on mine. Will be researching the Bentley and DIYs on removing trim - 330i ZHP said this was pretty easy. Think I'd do matte black all the way around.

[johnrando]

Thanks John. You could do a matte black on yours, I think that'd look pretty sweet actually. But you do have the chrome wheels and grill, so maybe just stay OEM.

Would be curious as to how matte black would look, but I agree, kinda makes sense to keep as is. Made that same decision with my grills. Thanks for that tip though!

[kayger12]

I like it. I am considering either going that route or debadging altogether.

[Cadeez]

Looks good either way, but personally I'm just too vain to let an ordinary person think it's a 325i...haha.

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/jcadell/badgelesstrunk.jpg

[johnrando]

Looks good either way, but personally I'm just too vain to let an ordinary person think it's a 325i...haha.



+1 lol. Casting no aspersions on 325s at all btw.

[Cadeez]

+1. Very nice.

I saw on another local e46 and immediately wanted to do the matte black on mine. Will be researching the Bentley and DIYs on removing trim - 330i ZHP said this was pretty easy. Think I'd do matte black all the way around.

The removal is simple really. Go to your local hardware store or Homo Depot, buy a hard plastic putty knife, then just sheer off the emblems! Remove the sticky stuff with your fingernail or a popsicle stick, hit it with some Goof-Off and viola! I always hit the spot with a quick wax job as well, make sure it's smooth and shiny, cause I'm just OCD like that.

[Hornung418]

A hair dryer and some dental floss is much less detrimental to the paint, IMO.

[Cadeez]

+1 lol. Casting no aspersions on 325s at all btw.

Haha indeed, what he said. :roundel

[Cadeez]

A hair dryer and some dental floss is much less detrimental to the paint, IMO.

True, that's a very nice way to do it, but I'm a guy with short hair...no hair dryer.

[Hornung418]

Haha...I don't have one either. The neighbors worked well for me :)

[mikeyb74]

Nice!

I debadged the swaggerwagen. I need to finish blacking out the chrome trim around the windows.

[danewilson77]

Looks good either way, but personally I'm just too vain to let an ordinary person think it's a 325i...haha.

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/jcadell/badgelesstrunk.jpg

Lol.....

Droid! Srs Legitness!

[Mtnman]

FYI, no hair dryer necessary. Just dental floss. And i did mine in the middle of winter too. Came right off. Looks good Jeff!

[Marcus-SanDiego]

I don't use a hair dryer either. I just use dental floss. Then I use wax to remove the residue.

[danewilson77]

I use 8 lb fishing line....

Droid! Srs Legitness!

[Cadeez]

And a nice, bright, sunny day in the NW to go with?!? Most likely only to celebrate the birth of my new shadow badge...

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/jcadell/330itail.jpg

[M54Dave]

I think that looks really good! As mentioned before I am not sure how it would look on jet black, maybe a dark graphite.

[az3579]

I think that looks really good! As mentioned before I am not sure how it would look on jet black, maybe a dark graphite.

On JB or Graphite I'd stick with chrome...

Sent from my DROIDX

[M0nk3y]

I really like that look. Great Choice!

[Washburn]

Any thoughts on how this would look on Alpine White? would it be too "in your face"?

[az3579]

Any thoughts on how this would look on Alpine White? would it be too "in your face"?

Two words:

Bad. Ass.

Or,

Boom! Winning!

Sent from my DROIDX

[L0veZHP]

how would you think it looks on Imola?

[danewilson77]

Two words:

Bad. Ass.

Or,

Boom! Winning!

Sent from my DROIDX

I knew sooner or later you would come around to the CS way of thinking.

[thesixsins]

Like it!

[Dotpage]

Dental floss + goo be gone worked for me, no heat necessary... I like yours, but I rather have debadged, it's like some guys(or gals) like their first encounter to have some mystery to it.. :)

[az3579]

I knew sooner or later you would come around to the CS way of thinking.

Uh, no. Don't expect me to start spewing random BS. :p

Sent from my DROIDX

[Ryans323i]

Looks great op. A nice option for those who want to modify and not debadge.


how would you think it looks on Imola?

Black on red FTW!

[rikdee]

I removed the 330i badge and purchased three factory sized characters (bright) Z H P. Applied in a factory measured manner, this really gets the public wondering - what the h*ll is this? Bimmerheads will know...

[Marcus-SanDiego]

You already have it on the car?

[danewilson77]

I removed the 330i badge and purchased three factory sized characters (bright) Z H P. Applied in a factory measured manner, this really gets the public wondering - what the h*ll is this? Bimmerheads will know...

Pics asap!

Droid! Srs Legitness!

[rikdee]

Yes, its been on my car for more than a year.

[rikdee]

Dane, send me an email. I'll send you a photo file. I'm not good at uploading to sites.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Need to see a picture, sir!

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Rik, I create this thread just for you:

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?1779-How-to-Display-Pictures-at-ZHPMafia.com

[danewilson77]

Dane, send me an email. I'll send you a photo file. I'm not good at uploading to sites.



Droid! Srs Legitness!

[danewilson77]

Dane, send me an email. I'll send you a photo file. I'm not good at uploading to sites.

We alllllll wanna see....

Droid! Srs Legitness!

[kayger12]

This is awesome. I bought the ZHP letters from Bimmian back in November and was going to do the same thing.

I wasn't sure how it would look so I asked the wife for her opinion and she vetoed. Of course, this is the same women who doesn't want me to get personalized plates.

Have the letters taking up space if anyone wants them (in both regular and italic font).

[Crickett]

Have the letters taking up space if anyone wants them (in both regular and italic font).
Oooooh, this may have to happen . . . I think I'll hold off at least until I see rikdee's pic(s). Are they chrome or black, kayger?

[johnrando]

This is awesome. I bought the ZHP letters from Bimmian back in November and was going to do the same thing.

I wasn't sure how it would look so I asked the wife for her opinion and she vetoed. Of course, this is the same women who doesn't want me to get personalized plates.

Have the letters taking up space if anyone wants them (in both regular and italic font).

Keith, I'd say, put 'em on. Love that idea. Looking forward to seeing the pics on Rik's car.

[kayger12]

Oooooh, this may have to happen . . . I think I'll hold off at least until I see rikdee's pic(s). Are they chrome or black, kayger?

Chrome-- let me know. Yours if you want them.

[kayger12]

Keith, I'd say, put 'em on. Love that idea. Looking forward to seeing the pics on Rik's car.

I'm looking forward to seeing them as well. I wasn't too sure about the look on my ride and my wife usually gives pretty good advice with visual stuff, so I decided to pass.

[johnrando]

I'm looking forward to seeing them as well. I wasn't too sure about the look on my ride and my wife usually gives pretty good advice with visual stuff, so I decided to pass.

Certainly makes sense. Plus, you'll get an actual visual soon. jr

[tomjonesrocks]

Black on red FTW!


how would you think it looks on Imola?

I've been considering having 330Ci badges custom painted in Imola (Haven't seen them sold anywhere prepainted in that color). I actually like the "invisible/stealth" look, black on black, etc. Don't suppose anyone's already done this?

[Hermes]

I've been considering having 330Ci badges custom painted in Imola (Haven't seen them sold anywhere prepainted in that color). I actually like the "invisible/stealth" look, black on black, etc. Don't suppose anyone's already done this?

Didn't think of that when I did mine, but just FYI, the black ones are pretty stealthy from distance

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/36d2641c.jpg

[NDubSki]

http://tapatalk.com/mu/aefc32b4-7cfe-efc5.jpg
Don't mind the dent :(

Black on hellrot. Plus my black grills? You got yourself a winner.

Edit: the kicker: this cost me an hour and not even a quarter can of plastidip. I love the results, looks matte and costs a fraction of the price. Has held up through summer heat so far, next up NE winter.
~I absolutely loath Tapatalk~

[jreyes19]

i am with you Ndubski
i have been thinking about plastidipping my lettering

[tomjonesrocks]

Didn't think of that when I did mine, but just FYI, the black ones are pretty stealthy from distance

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/36d2641c.jpg

That does look good. What kind of license frame is that?

[Hermes]

I don't remember, I'll see if I can find out where I got it from

[Hermes]

this is the one I got, I'm pretty sure I picked it up at O'Rielly - $11

http://www.causa.com/store/images/products/large/92560.jpg

Its known as "Custom Accessories Black Elite Metal License Plate Frame w/Caps, UPC: 077341925606, Item Number: 92560"