1st DIY Mod Completed: Painted Grill & Left Fuji Chrome

M

M.J.H.

Member
This took me about an hour or so to complete. Popped the grill off after removing the 5 clips and painted the grill using a paint called "Plasti-Dip" found at Lowes. I'm not sure if anyone has used this before it's popular on Audi forums for exterior painting basically it's a black rubber coating - so this way it doesn't chip at all. I had it on my G35 previously for about 10-11 months and didn't get a single chip in the grill.

I popped off the chrome Fuji with a butter knife and sanded the hell out of the grill for about 30 minutes, then sprayed 4-5 light coats of the Plasti-Dip spray giving 5 minutes or so in between coats (drys very quickly). Used some 3M heavy duty outdoor double-sided tape to put the Fuji back on, and the end result:

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And here is how Plasti-Dip looks for anyone interested:

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Nice, sanding the grille is no fun, looks good. Plasti-dip is popular on WRX interiors also, I have a couple cans in my garage..
 
jbaker1121 said:
lol...rubber coating-grille? why not a gloss or satin black instead..
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Well few specific reasons:

1. Because the Plasti-Dip won't chip like I have had glossy plastic paints or automotive paints / caliper paints / high-temp paints in the past, etc. - I had my grill painted on the G35 for about 10 months without a single chip or scratch, and that car was lowered so you can imagine how easy it was to get rock chips in the hood.

2. Because to me the rubberized coat looks WAY more OEM than anything else - how often do you see cars with a glossy grill? - maybe it exists but typically car manufactures seem to use a duller matte finish on a part like the grill, side moldings, etc.

3. I've experimented quite a bit with applying a clear coat of regular paint and that just flat out doesn't work because you'll get small chips in the clear coat somehow or another, lol - the 4-5 coats of Plast-Dip is really all that you need.

Here is another pic:

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Jeff mentioned this company also makes a clear coat. Could you put that on for the glossy effect, but still keep the same durability?
 
i'm just saying that if i were to go through the trouble to make it look "oem" by custom-painting it, I wouldnt go for a rubberized coating on such an important part of the FX's profile. I mean if that's what oyu like and it looks good to you, to each his own. I was just saying my opinion. IF you like the cheap-plastic rubber look then whatever, it's your FX. do what you want. I was just posting my .02.


also, Gchristopher6, how about spending time posting your own opinion instead of contradicting everything that I say.





otherwise, awesome DIY, looks great
 
Thats what i really like about this site, it really gets you thinking about how full of possiblities there are for the fx and to make it a reality by just asking how to and doing a little reading! Nice job on the grill!
 
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