Thinking about painting the OEM grill black
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA
Originally Posted by IS300TOG35
I finally got around installing it. Its been sitting in my basement painted for about 4 months. The thread influenced my decision to freeze my a$s off and install it. I must add that I do not like the design of the grill clips. Those rotating clips on the sides really suck. I ruined the ones that were stock on my car and has to use the ones that came with the grill that I painted and when I turned them into the holes they didnt turn back to the angle they are supposed to be. They are just sitting square in the hole if that makes sense and I couldnt get them to rotate to lock in. All the other bottom and top clips are secure so its not going anywhere but im still annoyed by that.
As for the grill I think it really goes well with my theme with black wheels (I have a summer set thats going on very soon. Also my tinted windows, gtr tail lights, and smoked corners. It seems to flow pretty well. My only concern is chipping. I painted it with dupont products. It wasa while ago but I think I started with 3 coats of primer, 2 coats of primer sealer and then 3 coats of semi-flat black paint. I chose not to go with any clear becuase I didnt want it to glossy. If chipping ocurs and it will I may have it professionally painted but Im sure that will chip to. Time will tell how long I will keep it on depending on how well it holds up. Let me know what you think.
[IMG]http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/627/dsc053702zq.jpg[IMG]
[IMG]http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/4755/dsc053779fp.jpg[IMG]
[IMG]http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/4691/dsc053597em.jpg[IMG]
[IMG]http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/3536/dsc053938na.jpg[IMG]
As for the grill I think it really goes well with my theme with black wheels (I have a summer set thats going on very soon. Also my tinted windows, gtr tail lights, and smoked corners. It seems to flow pretty well. My only concern is chipping. I painted it with dupont products. It wasa while ago but I think I started with 3 coats of primer, 2 coats of primer sealer and then 3 coats of semi-flat black paint. I chose not to go with any clear becuase I didnt want it to glossy. If chipping ocurs and it will I may have it professionally painted but Im sure that will chip to. Time will tell how long I will keep it on depending on how well it holds up. Let me know what you think.
[IMG]http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/627/dsc053702zq.jpg[IMG]
[IMG]http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/4755/dsc053779fp.jpg[IMG]
[IMG]http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/4691/dsc053597em.jpg[IMG]
[IMG]http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/3536/dsc053938na.jpg[IMG]
This may seem a simple question but how do you get the grill off (05 coupe anyway)? I couldn't find anything searching.
It looks like the bottom pulls out, I didn't see any bolts but I don't want to start yankin....
It looks like the bottom pulls out, I didn't see any bolts but I don't want to start yankin....
Registered User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,199
Likes: 2
the bottom pulls out, for the top part, there are some clips that you just have to remove. pretty simple. I plan on doing this AGAIN, since I got an OEM grill now. Do you reccomend doing it all black including the infiniti sign? or leave the sign chrome/silver like the factory? I have a brilliant silver...
Thanks, I'm showing my age.... billet grill is going in. I do like those black ones though. Since it's that easy, should be fun to play around with choices.
Got it on.. I like it! I like the dark sidemarkers better then the white ones too, matches the headlights more.
Got it on.. I like it! I like the dark sidemarkers better then the white ones too, matches the headlights more.
Last edited by mondo; Mar 26, 2006 at 07:40 PM.
i'd keep the sign chrome/silver like factory and paint the rest of the grill semi-gloss or glossy black. i'm going to do it to my IP coupe tomorrow at a shop, i'll post back.
i was at my bodyshop this morning, they say that since the grill comes chromed OEM, they say it will take a lot of work to prime it and make it all ready to paint. THis made sense to me. Therefore, considering the price it will cost, i didn't paint mine black.