[snareman]

Originally Posted by Borsig

+1 nver paint grilles of any sort. They will look like shit in a year.

Again, many have said they look great after a year and even so, if you have to repaint them its pretty easy to do.

[jnizzle]

anyone know where to buy the black plastic lower grill if painting them is not a great idea?

Unique Euro Design supposedly carries them, but are never in stock. Im interested in the 335 version that accommodates the oil cooler.

[snareman]

Originally Posted by jnizzle

anyone know where to buy the black plastic lower grill if painting them is not a great idea?

Unique Euro Design supposedly carries them, but are never in stock. Im interested in the 335 version that accommodates the oil cooler.

You know you have to take about 30 screws and the whole front bumper off to get the outside ones on don't you? That was a bit too much hassle for me.

[shiggy]

Originally Posted by longtran

i wouldnt recommend painting them. it will chip later on.

i did this DIY long time ago....and no chipping...no touch ups.....held up just fine!!

[wakeboarder109]

Originally Posted by Alpine335TT

I ended up getting my painted at my friend's shop..they took the grilles off and painted black and then clear coated them.. so they are uber shiny now

I'm like 45 minutes from DC. Mind me asking what shop it was and how much you can get it done for?

[snareman]

Originally Posted by snareman

There are plenty of people here that report no problems after a year. And its easy enough to touch up if necessary.

See what Shiggy said above.

[MFKN3]

Did mine on the weekend.

Did a mountain race and got a few stone chips on the bumper, bonnet and windshield, but can confirm the paint is still perfect.

I did it in 40mins. Didn't go too crazy with masking tape and did one coat, then 5mins later put sort of a quick 2nd coat on. I did one section at a time so I could pull off the tape and check for seepage.

[Magnum 56]

Any paint job is only as good as its prep so take off (unclip) the three grills and thoroughly clean them. Now prime them. Clean the grill attachment points too. After masking off a straight line where those mount meet the bumper prime them using a small paint brush (if you spray them you'll likely get paint all over anything behind them which looks amature).
With the grills off you'll have access to cleaning anything that's visible behind the grills. Don't waste that opportunity - get in there and thoroughly clean anything you can see or reach.
Now spray paint the primed grills (make sure your paint job covers any visible part of the grill) and make sure to take your time with that spray can or your paint will run. Mesh grills are much tougher to paint than flat surfaces.
Once everything is thoroughly cured and dried spray a clear protective coat onto the painted grills.
Now hand paint the grill mounting tabs with a brush and let them dry (you can skip clear coating these).
Once you're sure everything is thoroughly dry - install the grills.
This isn't the fastest way to do this mod but it's the way the guys that professionally show cars would do it.

[BB_cuda]

Statement of 30 screws to remove to pull front bumper is a big exaggeration. I can take my bumper off in about 15-20 minutes. I changed my bumper to M3 rep due to damage of the factory one. I had to put it on, take it off repeatedly for tweaking of several things. I had to drill the lower bumper to be able to screw the belly pan onto it. Things that you guys wouldn't worry as your existing one would go right back on.

My point is it isn't that bad (I count 19). I painted my lower grill (center only) with gloss black Rustoleum, 3 coats. I didn't use the lower outboard ones as I installed the real M3 ducts and cut the tabs for mounting the fog lights. See pics attached. Don't wuss out and just do it.

[scanspeak]

I replaced my mesh altogether. with "racing" mesh. After 3 years it still looks like new.

[Magnum 56]

That look the way it should . Did you fabricate or lay the mesh over the existing grills?

[scanspeak]

I fabricated it.
The build thread is here
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showt...ight=Scanspeak

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by Alpine335TT

Hey Guys,

I recently picked up black kidney grilles.. and I want to paint the bottom mesh to match in black.. Would you guys suggest trying to remove them and spray painting black or just taking to a shop? I've tried searching for threads on how this has been done but come up with nothing as of yet.. For those that actually took them to be painted, how much did it run you?

Thanks.

Sand with 400

Plastic adhesive primer

2k Epoxy grey primer

Sand with 800 grit

2k 668 BMW Black

2k Clear coat

Wait 48 hours to install