DIY: Painted/Replace Side Vents

thanks for great diy!
had it replaced with ease your diy:thumsup:

1. how coats of paint did you guys apply?
2. did you guys apply clearcoat after? if so, how many coats?

and did you use primer?

Used Dupli-color adhesive promoter. No clearcoat.

I just did the matte side gills install, but the plastic part labeled "A" on the first page fell into the fender on the driver's side.

I tried for like half an hour to get it back out but it was impossible. I just put everything back together without that piece. Would anyone be able to tell me the PART NUMBER for the driver's side of that little piece so I can order it?

thanks for that video, helped me out

thanks!

i cant take it out.. man

Good job and was going to do the same. Unfortunately when I attempted to remove the vents I dented the paint on one side and chipped it on the other. Now I have an appointment with the paint guy lol.

very nice!

just finished...

awesome! thanks for the help.

rzm3 wrote

1. Remove the side vents by pinching and pulling the side vents out.

I think this is one of the great myths being perpetrated on these boards. You must need gorilla grip to be able to just pinch and remove the original gills/side grilles. I had to employ the risky screwdriver wedging method. And yes I managed to put in a small scratch in my paint.

People reading this: Don't assume you can just pinch and remove the gills.

My thumbs hurt from so much pinching and it still isn't coming out

And when i try using a Flathead and some tape and towel..nothing..and now i have a super small chip in my paint

There needs to be a easy way..

You guys may appreciate the assistance of a clamp.

I have a few of these, myself:

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202214072/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

For this application, you'll want to duct tape a piece of rubber - like an eraser - to the pads to get a more narrow 'pincher' (for lack of knowing the proper word =D).

Might also want to wrap the metal tips of the bar with duct tape just in case you slip up.

Just be careful -- these things can apply 150lbs of pressure all the way down to splitting the plastic. But, with proper friction, it holds the 'pinch' while your fingers can more freely wiggle and tug.

I've only tested this for a little bit; my plan is to refinish all the chrome on my e90 M3 this weekend to a black or very dark gray. My car is space gray... black is great, but I like to be a tad bit different.

I recommend this thread for a simple technique to remove the gills. Wish I had thought if this last winter! http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=531297

wow thanks everyone!

Have you noticed any fading in the paint OP?

I used a set of locking pliers with some rubber taped too the jaws. Started out loose and then slowly wound them tighter, gets the pinch and something to hang onto.

I once dated a girl that had such a donkey mouth,she could eat an apple through a tennis racket......so i called her up to apply force on these suckers using here gate mouth and a old pair of my work shorts for scratch protection.....