Kidney grill question

[dizman7]

Ok, so I just want to make the vertical lines in the grills matte black (or at least a black that matches the black plastic in the lower grill.) but leave the trim chrome.

Mine is a lease so I'm not going to paint the factory ones, but I haven't seen any aftermarket ones like this.

So my question is, is it possible/easy to pop off the chrome trim on the factory grills? As I'm thinking I would just buy a set of "cheap" matte/flat black grills and swap trims if possible.

Here's a cheap photoshop I did of what I was thinking.

The white reflectors are photoshoped too, this was before I bought them so they are actually installed.

[m3p40]

I would avoid using matte black all together if possible. In pictures, I thought they looked great. Once in saw them in person they looked very cheap IMO. If you want black I would check out gloss.

[dizman7]

Originally Posted by m3p40

I would avoid using matte black all together if possible. In pictures, I thought they looked great. Once in saw them in person they looked very cheap IMO. If you want black I would check out gloss.

Maybe matte isn't the right word, I just want it to match the black plastic in the lower grill and intakes, but still have the chrome trim around them

[Nawaaz]

Originally Posted by m3p40

I would avoid using matte black all together if possible. In pictures, I thought they looked great. Once in saw them in person they looked very cheap IMO. If you want black I would check out gloss.

hmmmm......I'll have to see about that when my AutoTecknic matte black grills, fender gills, and m3 badge arrive in a few days, or hopefully today.

[SV Concepts III]

You can pull apart the inner and outer grill sets for both OEM and the aftermarket matte black ones so you can mix and match the inner/outer pieces. They are held on with tabs all around which can be lifted up using a flathead screw driver.

[dizman7]

Now who sells some inexpensive matte black grills? I mean since I esstentially only want half of them

[MuchMoore]

You can pick up a set of OEM grills for cheap and paint those. There should be a ton out there since everyone replaces them with matte versions.

[SV Concepts III]

The only issue with painting the OEM set is that they will chip over time. The advantage to the matte black sets is that they are a black abs plastic so if a rock hits them, at worst it dents the plastic but does not reveal white or grey underneath.

[Nawaaz]

^ +1

Go for the AutoTecknic matte black kidney grills.

[KHOALTY]

Shouldn't be that much these days, its just about 50 bucks for a set of grills if you look on google

[TK-421]

I'm personally not a fan of painting the inner part black because it looks like a 328's grille.

[E92-Lighting]

for hassle-free issues, matte black would be a better color choice