Blackout Grille Done! Pics..

[mkppk]

Here is a link to the thread where I post some pic of the various clip points for the grille, and the prep work for painting:

http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=81650

[DevilMan]

Originally Posted by mkppk

Here is a link to the thread where I post some pic of the various clip points for the grille, and the prep work for painting:

http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=81650

Look good I must sya, I love them

[Karnifex]

that actually looks surprisingly good, it would look even better on silver with really tinted windows. the silver grille looks really good with the darker colors. your right in the middle and it looks good man.

[bhv]

looks great!!

Can't wait to try it on mine!

[Automaggot]

Damn! That looks good...

[Vector-SS]

Looks great mkppk,

Is this any matte paint? and what grade of sand paper did you use? How did the final quality come out to look like? Sorry for asking too many questions but i like perfection

EDIT: Oh and did you also paint the horizontal lines inside the grills or you left it stock. THANKS

[Aero_adam]

Thats the best grille mod I think I have seen. What a huge improvement for little investment. Good work.

[1quick2.0t]

Originally Posted by Vector-SS

Looks great mkppk,

Is this any matte paint? and what grade of sand paper did you use? How did the final quality come out to look like? Sorry for asking too many questions but i like perfection

EDIT: Oh and did you also paint the horizontal lines inside the grills or you left it stock. THANKS

its almost impossible to sand down chrome coating with fine papper i doubt he used any sand papper

[mkppk]

Originally Posted by Vector-SS

Looks great mkppk,

Is this any matte paint? and what grade of sand paper did you use? How did the final quality come out to look like? Sorry for asking too many questions but i like perfection

EDIT: Oh and did you also paint the horizontal lines inside the grills or you left it stock. THANKS

Vector-SS, see this post: prep pics


Thanks for the compliments guys, a $4 mod that I love. Now if only someone sold smoked clear 'ecode' strips. I am getting a 40% tint soon also. And THINKING about having the wheels powdercoated in a satin black. H&R lowering springs also on the list for sure. It'll have a very agressive look by the time I am done.

I used a FLAT spray paint (matte is still has a little gloss to it doesn't it?), it was actually Camoflague black. Used "Medium" 3M sanding foam pad, just hard enough to give it slight brushed aluminum look. The horizontal parts are painted also. See the prep pics I posted. Final quality is Excellent, perfect finish I wanted, a dull almost super dark grey finish. I only poped out the Saab logo and masked the tabs on the sides from over spray, everything else got paint.

[mkppk]

Originally Posted by 1quick2.0t

its almost impossible to sand down chrome coating with fine papper i doubt he used any sand papper

Its just silver paint on plastic, very easy to sand.

[Aero_adam]

My only concern would be how long it stays looking super. Matt things tend to be difficult to keep clean - My fear would be a fly at 100 mph creating a nice big silver patch.

How is it standing up to normal abuse?

[mkppk]

Originally Posted by Aero_adam

My only concern would be how long it stays looking super. Matt things tend to be difficult to keep clean - My fear would be a fly at 100 mph creating a nice big silver patch.

How is it standing up to normal abuse?

I've done it to 2 cars before, yes you will get small nicks, nothing noticable by anyone but youself, but you can always repaint if it bothers you.

Let it dry compeltely before reinstalling is your first line of defense. I did clear coat over the matte black once on a lower bumper mesh of a 92 325i once, worked well, better protection but then its more shiney.

[saabassguy]

Originally Posted by Karnifex

that actually looks surprisingly good, it would look even better on silver with really tinted windows. the silver grille looks really good with the darker colors. your right in the middle and it looks good man.

i was going to say the same thing. i have the car in midnight blue, but def looks good in grey/silver, maybe even the camponella white.(i think that's the color)...well white..

[johnlennon1]

Originally Posted by mkppk

Vector-SS, see this post: prep pics


Thanks for the compliments guys, a $4 mod that I love. Now if only someone sold smoked clear 'ecode' strips. I am getting a 40% tint soon also. And THINKING about having the wheels powdercoated in a satin black. H&R lowering springs also on the list for sure. It'll have a very agressive look by the time I am done.

I used a FLAT spray paint (matte is still has a little gloss to it doesn't it?), it was actually Camoflague black. Used "Medium" 3M sanding foam pad, just hard enough to give it slight brushed aluminum look. The horizontal parts are painted also. See the prep pics I posted. Final quality is Excellent, perfect finish I wanted, a dull almost super dark grey finish. I only poped out the Saab logo and masked the tabs on the sides from over spray, everything else got paint.

I like the flat black...looks good. I know of a place in minneapolis that does cheap tint. My roomate got his whole VW Golf done for $120. Good Quality too.

[soggy]

Interesting mod, looks a lot better than I figured it would.

[mkppk]

Originally Posted by johnlennon1

I like the flat black...looks good. I know of a place in minneapolis that does cheap tint. My roomate got his whole VW Golf done for $120. Good Quality too.

Where? I was going to go to Street Scenez tint in Blaine, they are asking $200. I've been to Ziebart a few times for tint, they are even more expensive.

[johnlennon1]

It was actually Ziebarts!! Worth a shoot calling them to get a quote. 612-338-2289 or 612-338-2212. one of those may be a fax?? Let me know what they quote you b/c my saab only has the back window tinted...don't ask why?

They are in downtown Minneapolis

[OOHYA]

I must say, This looks Fantastic.

do you have a tutorial on how to remove the grill work. I can do everything but I do not want to take a chance on breaking the grill work.

I have a Silver 03 Vector with E-codes and silverstar turn indicators. I think this would look very nice on mine.

[mkppk]

Originally Posted by johnlennon1

It was actually Ziebarts!! Worth a shoot calling them to get a quote. 612-338-2289 or 612-338-2212. one of those may be a fax?? Let me know what they quote you b/c my saab only has the back window tinted...don't ask why?

They are in downtown Minneapolis

Hm, well I know it cost $300+ last time I had a 4 door at Ziebart a few years ago. Less than $200 for a two door. This was in northern suburbs. I will get a quote from them before I do it for sure tho.

[mkppk]

Originally Posted by OOHYA

I must say, This looks Fantastic.

do you have a tutorial on how to remove the grill work. I can do everything but I do not want to take a chance on breaking the grill work.

I have a Silver 03 Vector with E-codes and silverstar turn indicators. I think this would look very nice on mine.

No extensive tutorial, but I did take basic pics of the grille lock tabs and the car clips. Take out the bottom edge first on all of them, press down on the front bumper, not up on the grille, thats basically how the bottem tabs work.

Check out the "Prep" pics I posted in this thread:

post link