DIY painted grille surround.

[nathangracey]

I've been wanting to do the grille surrounds for a while now,
But couldn't swallow the 400$ price tag.

I've been painting bits and pieces on my cars since I was 16.
Lower lip and side skirts on my 94 integra? Yep! Let's make that match the rest of the car!

Decided to try it on my m4.

My local paint store NCS will mix up a can of aerosol paint for 22$.
Yours will too. No clear needed, and it's perfect for trim parts like this.

I just gave them my paint code. 300. Alpine white.
Found paint code on door tag.
If you prefer black, just get some krylon at Walmart.
If prepped right, it will come out beautifully.

Open hood. Remove black strip.
using a torx 25/30 remove the bolts that are now visible.
Push all tabs in from behind grille.
Remove grille.
Push tabs in that hold black and chrome piece together.
Pops apart.

Sand the grille thoroughly but lightly using 200 grit. Then 500 grit. Then one more time using some steel wool. Do NOT use orbital or electric sander.
Clean, clean again. dry, set out in the sun.
The whole time the can of paint should be in the sun warming up as well.
Once everything is warm to the touch, (very important)
Then make sure surface is free of any dust etc.
start with one light coat. Then every 30 secs. To a minute spray a few more light coats, then one last thick coat.
24hrs to dry.
Then back on the car.

Save almost 400$

Side note:

I tried the same thing with the side gill/vent things.
This did not go so smoothly.

Once they were off I peeled off the black strip where it says m4 so I could paint the chrome part.
This ruined the black inner strip. It looks all wavy now and distorted.

So, to save you guys the trouble, buy the side gills and DIY the front grille.
Nate
Pics to follow.

[JNoSol]

Too much work to save $125 on the grill surround.
http://ind-distribution.com/ind/cate...grill-surround

[nathangracey]

Didn't realize they had a surround only option,

But still happy to save the $$.

[MKParris]

also you can just buy the F32 Mperformance grills for $120, but the inner slats out and replace with the ones off the M3 and you are done.

[emfo]

Originally Posted by MKParris

also you can just buy the F32 Mperformance grills for $120, but the inner slats out and replace with the ones off the M3 and you are done.

For the same price, which is better? Do you do this because the M Performance quality is better than the IND?

[emfo]

Looks like some people were discussing here and didn't come to a conclusion. I guess I'd prefer OEM over OEM + paint

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1082260

[MKParris]

Originally Posted by eurospeed

For the same price, which is better? Do you do this because the M Performance quality is better than the IND?

When I looked, I think this route came out to be a couple bucks cheaper. I will get some other stuff from IND later on.

[AIRPOWER]

Pics please!

[idocm4]

I'm too lazy and too busy to paint my surrounds. I just bought my from IND and called it a day! Btw OP great job and nothing wrong with saving $$.