Figured Out 318ti Black Grills- Less than $20

[theamazinghindu]

OK, so I know how I was wondering how to do the black grills for my car. Well now I figured out how to do it in just a couple of hours (paint curing time) and under $20 dollars.
Materials
-Duplicolor Adhesion Promoter
-Duplicolor Trim Paint- i chose this as it gave a satin look
-Newspaper- duh
-3M 400 Grit Sandpaper
This all costed under 20 bucks, I think it was like 17 and change
Procedure
-Remove Grill (hardest part)
-Remove Chrome Trim from Matte Black Slats (meh)
-Scuff Chrome Trim- part that requires work- make sure all of the chrome has gotten hazy and/or dull.
-Spray Adhesion Promoter- I did four coats though the can says do 2-3. The can also says Spray Color within ten minutes of final coat.
-Spray Color Coat- mine was the Trim Paint but I suppose yours can be whatever. I did a total of eight coats. I waited a little more than ten minutes between coats.





I will post a better picture in the daylight but as for tonight... goodnight!

[Maverix]

You didn't do a clear coat protector? I would've included it in. It seals in the paint, and keeps it from dripping off while you're washing your car. It doesn't matter since your car is already black.

It looks nice and glossy, but include a picture during the day so we can see how it looks like.

I didn't sand the chrome part. I just used alcohol, rustoleum primer, then I sanded the primer very lightly.

[theamazinghindu]

[toie36]

Nice job!

[Maverix]

Whoa, how is your car's bumper over the parking curb? I remember, even on my base suspension, I was not able to do that.

[tiFreak]

Originally Posted by Maverix

Whoa, how is your car's bumper over the parking curb? I remember, even on my base suspension, I was not able to do that.

everything's bigger in Texas, including curbs apparently, I can do it with the base springs and my bodykit which is about a half-inch lower than the stock bumper

the black grills look good, nice job

[theamazinghindu]

BY THE WAY EVERYBODY, took my car to an advanced car wash today and the grill paint is still good and so is my car! I AM SO HAPPY!

[Maverix]

Originally Posted by tiFreak

everything's bigger in Texas, including curbs apparently, I can do it with the base springs and my bodykit which is about a half-inch lower than the stock bumper

the black grills look good, nice job

I guess it's because everyone here owns lifted chevy trucks.

Originally Posted by theamazinghindu

BY THE WAY EVERYBODY, took my car to an advanced car wash today and the grill paint is still good and so is my car! I AM SO HAPPY!

Be very careful dude. I'd give it a couple more heat cycles so that the paint can melt a little more. And avoid washing the grills unless it's needed. Instead, just wipe it with a wet towel for a while.

It might not peel now. But if you put to much pressure on it now, it can start peeling prematurely(1-2 years, instead of 3+ years).