Painted Grilles, Satin Black
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 456
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From: Dallas, TX
My Ride: I have an 05 545i. It's a manual with a few options. This is my first BMW but I don't know how I'll ever be able to switch to something else.
It's quite late, but I finished painting my grilles today satin black. It is my first mod on my car, but it def won't be the last. I know, I know, buy them from Trinity, broken tabs, paint flaking, blah blah blah.....but I enjoy a nice challenge and I felt that this was way to easy of a job to fork out $65 for. Plus I feel that with sanding them and priming them that I have made some high-quality grilles, dare I say as nice as Trinity's 
. All in all, it cost me about $15 for the spray paint and I already had the sandpaper so problem solved there. Furthermore, I now have an extra $50 to spend towards other mods or cleaning products (my vice 
) So no more talking, here's the process:
The Essentials:
*Dirty! I'll be cleaning those up ASAP
*Note the tabs around the edges, this is where you separate the pieces. If you don't take the time to do this part, it's without a doubt going to look like sh*t
. All in all, it cost me about $15 for the spray paint and I already had the sandpaper so problem solved there. Furthermore, I now have an extra $50 to spend towards other mods or cleaning products (my vice ) So no more talking, here's the process:The Essentials:
- Primer spray paint
- Satin or Flat black spray paint
- Sandpaper (220 grit, 320 grit, 400 grit)
- Torx 30 screwdriver/bit
- Music of your choice
- small flathead screwdriver (found useful in getting the grills off)
*Dirty! I'll be cleaning those up ASAP
*Note the tabs around the edges, this is where you separate the pieces. If you don't take the time to do this part, it's without a doubt going to look like sh*t
Thread Starter
Contributors
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
My Ride: I have an 05 545i. It's a manual with a few options. This is my first BMW but I don't know how I'll ever be able to switch to something else.
*Cleaning dirt off them to prep them for sanding
*Cleaned up like I promised
*Here you can see the difference after sanding, a nice almost brushed aluminum look, ready for primer
*One primed up, while that one dries I sanded the other one
*Gotta paint the fins too, but sanding is not as important on this part, I sanded one of them but not the other. Figured it wasn't worth the time
Thread Starter
Contributors
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
My Ride: I have an 05 545i. It's a manual with a few options. This is my first BMW but I don't know how I'll ever be able to switch to something else.
I love the way it looks now, much more aggresive than before. Plus I have the satisfaction of knowing I did it myself
Let me know what you think or if you have any questions
P.S. Does anyone know why it won't let me post that many pics in one thread? Any way I can get around posting multiple replys?
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,998
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis Burbs, USA
My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
Nice work. There is a limit on picture space per post.
Thread Starter
Contributors
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
My Ride: I have an 05 545i. It's a manual with a few options. This is my first BMW but I don't know how I'll ever be able to switch to something else.
Thanks guys, I'm going to get some better pictures up once it stops raining here. I swear, it's been raining for the past 4 days nonstop!
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 9,986
Likes: 1
From: Zoo York
My Ride: Alpine White 2006 530Xi (SLD)
Awesome job and thanks for the DIY! IMO your painted OEMs look MUCH better than the matte black kidneys I bought off eBay for $50 bucks.
Love how the satin black grilles look on your silver car too
NEXT: Satin black exhaust tips (you already have the materials and the skills - except maybe the heat-resistant paint - not sure which one you have there).
Love how the satin black grilles look on your silver car too
NEXT: Satin black exhaust tips (you already have the materials and the skills - except maybe the heat-resistant paint - not sure which one you have there).
Thread Starter
Contributors
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
My Ride: I have an 05 545i. It's a manual with a few options. This is my first BMW but I don't know how I'll ever be able to switch to something else.
Thanks V, but i'm saving up to get an RPi exhaust. I gotta let that V8 roar
