I got the car yesterday and today decided to blackout my grills.
I didnt take pics during the process because my hands were dirty, but I will post before and afters once I get them off the camera.
This is a SIMPLE process that takes 30-60 mins and just costs a few bucks. I dont know exact cost because I had everything (paint and sandpaper) laying around so for me it was $0.
Step 1: Remove the grills, if you cant figure out how there is a thread here in DIY (
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...ghlight=remove)
Step 2: Separate the pieces. Each kidney is two pieces snapped together, just separate them by unlatching the clips all around the pieces.
Step 3: Sand the pieces. I used 220grit sandpaper and scuffed them up real good. If you go in one direction you can actually get a nice brushed aluminum look (it looked so good I almost left them like that). The frames are a harder plastic and take time to sand but the inner pieces are VERY SOFT you can easily sand away plastic and change the shape so be careful. You dont have to sand and remove the chrome, just scuff it up real good, although on the inner piece the chrome almost comes off entirely. Try to only sand the chrome portion of the inner piece. You dont want to scratch it up in between the blades, it will be difficult to smooth that out.
Step 4: Rinse the pieces with water to remove any residue and dry.
Step 5: Wipe down with alcohol just to remove any remaining residue and oils from your fingers.
Step 6: Spray with whatever color you like. Apply numerous light coats. I actually used a flat black wheel paint that looks kinda metallic for the frames. Then I sprayed the inner pieces with a regular matte black spray paint to see which I liked better. I concluded that spraying everything with the regular matte black might look too cheap plus I liked the slight contrast the two blacks had. Honestly you cant notice unless I point it out.
Step 7: Let dry. Matte usually dries within minutes, especially under the sun. Just dont leave them out where dust and debris can sit onto the paint (unless you like the texture).
Step 8: Snap the two pieces back together. Make sure they are dry, especially if you applied a thick coat because your fingerprints can press into the paint. There is a lip on of the pieces that the other snaps into so make sure you get it to sit all the way in.
Step 9: Snap the kidneys back into the front bumper. Dont forget to put back the molding and the 4 screws.
Step 10: Step back and admire your work.
Hope this helps, good luck!!!
Tomorrow Im thinking of removing the center piece on the rear diffuser and installing a mesh similar to the front to hold me over until the CF one arrives.