[shmj13]

The grill was the next mod I wanted to do after Zoomers. Progress has been slow. I also have the volant in the trunk to install and working on the wheels. I wanted to change the look of the grill. My goal for the look was to pick up the horizontal lines of the lower grilles. Nautcasprt6 did a similar grille modification which I thought was really neat. But he removed the grill and cut the verticals out. I chose to leave the grille in and not cut the verticals. You can still see them, but I think I achieved the horizontal emphasis I was looking for. It took 3 hours to do and $15 in paint.


http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b256/shmj13/Initialtape.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b256/shmj13/Paper.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b256/shmj13/Prime.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b256/shmj13/Black.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b256/shmj13/Insidefinish.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b256/shmj13/Outsidefinish.jpg

 

[ink]

looks great! did you just use regular primer and spraypaint? Did you sand the plastic before you painted? I have mine painted all black but the paint keeps chipping from freeway driving. Looking for a way to get it done so it wont chip.

 

[eudaman]

wow great job man! abendx here on the forum did a similar look to that by cutting out the cross sections but i like your way better. that is what im looking to do to my grill as well. i think its a solid look, nice work, please tell as to how u did it

edited to add that i guess u did show in pictures how u did it i rushed to the last pic to see the fin ished product...

 

[shmj13]

Grill specifics

ink,

I used Krylon Primer based on recommendations from guy at paint store. I did three coats of primer. In between the coats I used a fine steel wool to smooth out any imperfections. The Black was just the flat black from Rustoleum. I used the steel wool on the first coat of that as well. Just make sure you thoroughly wipe the dust off after using the steel wool. I would suggest as wet rag and then let dry. I got most of it off on mine, but a wet rag probably would have gotten most off.

DP

 

[300TouringNproud]

That's quality man, I love it. This and tommyz's grill are the only two grills I would want other than stock. I'll probably end up doing the same as you (way cheaper than TZ) but with my Midnight Blue instead of black... something different. Props on the DIY job, gotta respect someone who'll take matters into their own hands and do it right.

 

[shmj13]

Correction

Sorry about the last sentence, it is late. I meant with a wet rag I would have gotten all of the dust off. There were just a few minor spots where, if you look hard you can see a few specks of dust in the paint.

ink,

Relative to the chipping I don't know if this will prevent chipping, but the black seems to have adhered to the primer real well.

DP

 

[Lik2race]

One of the BETTER d i y projects

I totally agree that this is one of the BETTER
DIY projects.I did it also,in the beginning, &
probably should have left my grill as it was.
But noooo..I had to go and get me a "mesh"
style grill (Like SO many others did ),now I
am one among MANY. I stll may out my "Old"
grill back in;but,would change the black verticals
to Lava Red. Or I would just cut out all the
vertical bars except for the center one (for support)

 

[bigvrodder]

great job!!! wouldn't it have been easier to remove the grill??

 

[Model 57]

Very nice, I like it. I think that it would look very good on a Bright Silver like mine also.

 

[3SRT4ME]

Don't you just hate it when the paper boy refuses to yield the right-of-way to your trailing 300C . . . .

 

[shmj13]

NO, No!

bigvrodder,

NO! After listening to the experiences of others in the removal of the grill and the difficulty in getting to the lower grill screws to remove them, I decided I would try to do this without grill removal.

You have to spend the same amount of time taping the grill itself either way. It takes a little more time taping the very lower section of the grill where it buts against the car but not an hour's worth. Then it takes a little time to put the paper on. But when you are done painting and remove the tape and the paper you are done, no grille to reinstall, no chances during reinstall of marking up what you just painted.

It really was not difficult, you just need to be patient as you are taping, it is the most time consuming part of the procedure.

DP