Wanted: DIY suggestions for lower grille rehab

[aurelius]

Removed the lower grille in the front bumper in order to clean leaves, etc., off the oil cooler fins.

Can anyone point me to any interesting ideas as to how to rehab (paint?) the plastic grille while I have it out?

I've never used or even seen Plasti-Dip but judging by its name, maybe use that?

Referring in my case to the usual flat black mesh grille, vs the silver seen on some coupes & convertibles.

Haven't priced em but I suppose the answer may be "just screw it & buy a new one..."

[Marcus-SanDiego]

I think Khoa sells them for something like $35. I'd say screw it and buy new ones.

[danewilson77]

I think Khoa sells them for something like $35. I'd say screw it and buy new ones.

Vote to buy.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[Hermes]

Don't use plasti dip, I just took mine out and used some rustoleum enamel black, like a $10 fix.

Before
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/zhp%20projects/IMG_1158.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/zhp%20projects/IMG_1160.jpg

After
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/zhp%20projects/IMG_1165.jpg

[danewilson77]

Perfection Armijo!

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[wsmeyer]

How easy is it to get it out? Mines turned grayish too.

William.

[Hermes]

Once you get the bumper off it's not hard, it's just getting the bumper off that can be a pain

this is the thread from when I fixed mine so you know what to do...

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?3507-Need-help-removing-front-bumper

[danewilson77]

Once you get the bumper off it's not hard, it's just getting the bumper off that can be a pain

this is the thread from when I fixed mine so you know what to do...

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?3507-Need-help-removing-front-bumper

You do not need to take bumper off.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[echo46]

How do you get it out without taking the bumper off, I'm going to do this also next time I detail her.

[danewilson77]

How do you get it out without taking the bumper off, I'm going to do this also next time I detail her.

We are talking about the lower grill correct?

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[Marcus-SanDiego]

And ignore my previous comment about buying a new one. I was referring to the kidney grilles. I see that we're discussing the lower mesh grille. I painted mine on my 335 with favorable results.

Here is a link to it what I used: http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?282-Front-plate-delete-discoloring-leftover&p=2521#post2521

[Hermes]

How do you get it out without taking the bumper off, I'm going to do this also next time I detail her.

You just tape/mask everything off and paint

[aurelius]

I removed it on a whim a few weeks ago and as I recall I just used my hands. It was a minor PITA and you'll use a bit of force but it was no big deal.

FYI it ends up coming apart into 2 pieces. There's a sort of bracket/frame to which it's attached and that part comes out too.

[Hermes]

if you really wanted, the grid (51117893062) is $36.55 and the adapter (51117893066) is $22.18 from bmwmercedesparts.com (http://www.bmwmercedesparts.com)

grid is part #4, adapter is part #5
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/j/p/162.png

[Mtnman]

I swear I wrote this up at some point. Just push the grill back towards the car. Its a pita...but you will get it. I need to get on the puter to find my write up...flat black paint. I do mine every year. Ill try to search soon for my thread...

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[Hermes]

Just push the grill back towards the car. Its a pita...but you will get it. I need to get on the puter to find my write up...flat black paint.

There's like 10 clips that hold it in. I did mine glossy just to match the rest of the trim

[lilcdkey]

I masked mine in place. No need to take off your grill. Put a piece of cardboard behind the grill so you dont paint any of that stuff. I used Rustoleum high gloss black spray paint.

[zj96sc]

I "shadowlined" my E30 with plastidip. Stuff is sold at home depot if you want to give it a shot.

The cool thing about plastidip is it never hardens completely and as a result will be very resistant to chipping. Good for things that spend a lot of time that close to the road. Any overspray also just rubs off.

In this case, though, I still think I'd just buy a new one.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

I swear I wrote this up at some point. Just push the grill back towards the car. Its a pita...but you will get it. I need to get on the puter to find my write up...flat black paint. I do mine every year. Ill try to search soon for my thread...

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David, I tried to do a family search for it. Could not find it.

[danewilson77]

David, I tried to do a family search for it. Could not find it.

I looked for it as well....to prove my statement above.

[apridge]

You just tape/mask everything off and paint

Is this the only solution without removing the bumper then?

[Mtnman]

No. The grill pops out (toward the engine) and can be manipulated out of the bumper without removing the bumper. I have done it twice. Its easier on a hot day though when the plastic is more malleable.

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[danewilson77]

You do not need to take bumper off.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

Bump....bump....bump....:roundel

[apridge]

Thanks for the clarification! I appriciate it.


No. The grill pops out (toward the engine) and can be manipulated out of the bumper without removing the bumper. I have done it twice. Its easier on a hot day though when the plastic is more malleable.

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[MrMaico]

I swear I wrote this up at some point. Just push the grill back towards the car. Its a pita...but you will get it. I need to get on the puter to find my write up...flat black paint. I do mine every year. Ill try to search soon for my thread...

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Here it is.....(post 6)

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?1640-OMG-its-a-BMW-ZHP!!!!

I remembered the thread because I had asked you how to get it out so I went searching.

[AProudSailor]

2209
My approach was to use painter's tape to prevent overspray, stick a piece of cardboard up behind it, and hit it with Krylon's new 'Flat Black' Indoor/Outdoor any-surface spray paint.

[danewilson77]

Good deal. Method is sound.

[HokieZHP]

Looks good. That's how I did mine as well. Turned out alright. I'm thinking of re-spraying it with gloss-black though to match the rest of the car.