DIY: Midnight grille look alike

[Csquared]

My Edges were crisp just that it was so hard to get the tape all lined up so perfect, i spent so much time on it already, but yes what can i say I'm a total noob, still turned out okay!

[airhoppz]

Originally Posted by AlterZgo

Couple of ways to not mess up the paint when you pull off the tape:

1) Pull the tape off when the paint is still dry. Downside is, you have to re-tape each time you're spraying another coat.

2) Once you've applied multiple layers of paint, before you pull off the tape, run an exacto knife along the seam btw the tape and the grille. This way, when you remove the tape, it won't pull off the paint along the edge.

I was going to say do #2. I think I'll DIY my midnight grille instead of buying it - the purchase price was hefty!

To the OP -- how long did it take to sand with 100 grade sandpaper?

[Csquared]

I took my sweet time with it and took me around a hour i think. hardest part is to get between the blades and the parts the aren't flat.

[2GoRNot2G]

Looks great to me, Csqaured. Now you've got me debating on what do to... Paint my own, or buy the new G37 factory midnight black grill... hmmm... decisions, decisions.

[Csquared]

Well that was my thought exactly and i came to do my one because of this process,

If I buy the midnight grill, I'm going to have a scrap Grille, because i dont' really want to try to sell, it'll go for like what? 50 bucks? So I'll just try to paint my original one, and if i mess up i'll get the midnight. Cause it'll just be hanging around if I just brought the new one anyways might as well try it.

[popcornten]

i just put on my 3rd coat of black

i'll let you guys know how it turns out, and ill try to post some of my own pics

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by popcornten

i just put on my 3rd coat of black

i'll let you guys know how it turns out, and ill try to post some of my own pics

Any updates?

[gary c]

Surprise you did a good job for your first attempt. Using masking tape can
be a PITA unless you take your time. I've always found that painting grilles
is easier if you hang it up in the air so you can shoot different angles, like
an open garage door....good job!
Gary

[Csquared]

thanks a lot gary, yeah i was just shifting my position a lot so i can get at it at every angle hahaha.

[popcornten]

Originally Posted by fecurtis

Any updates?

Yeah sorry, been a little busy!

Came home from the mall around 4AM Black Friday, put on the final coats of clear, then headed back out to Best Buy.

Other than me completely f***ing up one of the corners trying to blot something, it looks really good. I had to resand and respray the top left corner so the grille overall has about 8 coats of paint and 4 coats of clear. I drove back to Austin Sunday and it held up very well. (I'll try to add pics when I get a chance, i'm about to head into finals week)

From close up, you can kind of notice the lines where i had to resand and respray, but from anywhere beyond 2 feet away it looks great - especially considering it costs about $8 versus a few hundred from the dealership.

Thanks for the great write up!

My only recommendation is NOT to try and fix small things! Just spray smoothly and if there's a little mistake, leave it. Don't make it into a much bigger problem like I did.


Thanks for the great write up!

[MixturePinoy]

this looks like my altima grille

[Csquared]

Thanks popcornten and you're welcome, and to Mixture, at least it has a mountain in the middle of it, and not a hamburger.

[MixturePinoy]

[GEE35FX]

^^^^^^^Tito,,,, you should paint yours silver

[MixturePinoy]

lol' maybe i will... and i'll throw on the mt fuji