[roadkillrob]

Originally Posted by ctestb

Those tips you bought from the links from schmiedmann, do they come black gloss or did you get them painted when they arrived? Nothing in the post states the color...

The part numbers I posted and the links to Schmiedmann are for gloss black tips.

[roadkillrob]

Links in my original post will work #160 in this thread . https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=160

[bizfiend]

Originally Posted by ctestb

Those tips you bought from the links from schmiedmann, do they come black gloss or did you get them painted when they arrived? Nothing in the post states the color...

The color might not be stated as I found missing as well. These came already gloss black. That stock part number comes as black, and they might think they don't have to put the color in the description. Although it does say it is black on other sites.

[BmwGk]

Originally Posted by roadkillrob

Can't wait until there is a reasonably priced option! I would just grab 20 bucks of vinyl off amazon or ebay before I used electrical tape.

Also, my opinion of plastidip is that it is a solution to a problem that doesn't exist - just either do it right and paint something or don't.

Yea, please don't use electrical tape. I'm picturing the ugly seams from piecing it together and a gooey mess when the sun beats on it. I like plastidip to test a look, or if I'm going for a matte black theme. Applied properly, it can look good.

[avengerboater]

Originally Posted by bizfiend

Ya I just got off the line with a wholesaler in China and he didn't know there's a demand for this grill in North Murica. Seems like they don't do their research on new BMW models. But he said they a model now and are making the mould and they should have it by April. But who knows...

My painter guy said the same thing about the process.

I watched a vid about the glossifier sprayed on top of the plastidip and the glossifier makes the plastidip very hard and not rubbery anymore and very difficult to remove afterwards leaving tiny bits of plastidip behind. And ya it doesn't really look that glossy either. It would need something like a few layers of clear coat.

I'm thinking of covering it with electric tape until aftermarket ones come out.

Can you post some close up pics if your grill. Thanks.

Here's a couple of pics I took off the grill. It isn't sunny today, but you can still see how glossy it is. Definitely better than spray paint or plastidip.

[AndroidRobot]

Originally Posted by roadkillrob

Can't wait until there is a reasonably priced option! I would just grab 20 bucks of vinyl off amazon or ebay before I used electrical tape.

Also, my opinion of plastidip is that it is a solution to a problem that doesn't exist - just either do it right and paint something or don't.

What I don't understand is why people wouldn't find a proper way to either buy one or get it done professionally. The majority of X5's ok here are $75k or higher from what I've seen. At that price point I don't see a reason to cut corners. While I think IND over chargers for their grill it still looks really good

[beermato]

Originally Posted by mbarrett635

Here's a picture of my new installed grill.

I like this option.. I'm thinking this:

https://www.expresspaint.com/automot...dProduct=21727

AND this:

https://www.truevalue.com/fast-dry-p...ck-gloss-15-oz

Should work well. I've used expresspaint.com for firecracker red Jeep parts and it was a great match. (There's a clearcoat that I didn't link, which I already have). Prep with superfine sandpaper, apply color, finish with clearcoat.

[AndroidRobot]

Originally Posted by beermato

I like this option.. I'm thinking this:

https://www.expresspaint.com/automot...dProduct=21727

AND this:

https://www.truevalue.com/fast-dry-p...ck-gloss-15-oz

Should work well. I've used expresspaint.com for firecracker red Jeep parts and it was a great match. (There's a clearcoat that I didn't link, which I already have). Prep with superfine sandpaper, apply color, finish with clearcoat.

Unless you're a professional automotive painter I don't see the result looking good. Please post pictures if you go this route, I'm curious to see how it turns out. I have a co-worker who used to professionally paint cars for 15 years so if I got the proper paint I know he could do an excellent job. I might try some things on my OEM chrome grill since I have no use for it anymore

[beermato]

Edit - delete, the detailed pics of the grille are in this thread: https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1576123

[TucErDoc]

IND,
I'm not sure why I'm having such a hard time wrapping my head around this...
Is the "black back" (the shutters that you see behind the grill) part of the grill, or is that attached to the car?
When I purchase a grill from you, does it come with the gloss black background?

Is the OEM shutters gloss black?

Very confused about this.
Thanks

[H0fmeister]

Originally Posted by TucErDoc

IND,
I'm not sure why I'm having such a hard time wrapping my head around this...
Is the "black back" (the shutters that you see behind the grill) part of the grill, or is that attached to the car?
When I purchase a grill from you, does it come with the gloss black background?

Is the OEM shutters gloss black?

Very confused about this.
Thanks

The shutters are not a part of the grill. The shutters are black on the Msport and the xLine shutters have a chromed piece.

[Bills Oil Company]

Anyone have a clue when the real bmw black performance grills will be available?

I refuse to pay IND $600.

[TucErDoc]

Originally Posted by H0fmeister

The shutters are not a part of the grill. The shutters are black on the Msport and the xLine shutters have a chromed piece.

Do the shutters actually open and close? at what speeds?

[bichoo]

Originally Posted by Bills Oil Company

Anyone have a clue when the real bmw black performance grills will be available?

I refuse to pay IND $600.

I heard sometime this spring along with the other m performance parts that were announced.
I'm with you, I refuse to pay that much but if if there is no other decent alternative by May, I may cave in. Hoping for the best

[AndroidRobot]

Originally Posted by bichoo

I heard sometime this spring along with the other m performance parts that were announced.
I'm with you, I refuse to pay that much but if if there is no other decent alternative by May, I may cave in. Hoping for the best

Maybe the BMW version will be black all the way through meaning if a rock hits the grill you won't see chrome like my IND one. Good thing it's wrapped with PPF (not going to last because the slats don't have the area for PPf to properly adhere) so I'm using another avenue

[Auricom]

Originally Posted by TucErDoc

Do the shutters actually open and close? at what speeds?

Yes they actually open and close. It's not only speed dependent.

Active Kidney automatically open whenever additional cooling air is required. This system activates depending on several temperature thresholds as well as the speed of the vehicle. During the warming-up phase and when operating at low loads, the BMW Active Kidney Grille is closed completely to maximize the aerodynamic efficiency.

[AndroidRobot]

Originally Posted by Auricom

Yes they actually open and close. It's not only speed dependent.

Active Kidney automatically open whenever additional cooling air is required. This system activates depending on several temperature thresholds as well as the speed of the vehicle. During the warming-up phase and when operating at low loads, the BMW Active Kidney Grille is closed completely to maximize the aerodynamic efficiency.

Mine are always open when I park in the garage, the fan stays on for another 3-5min before closing the grill and I'm not driving hard. They definitely open more often than on my X3 which only did after I had some fun in Sport+

[Auricom]

Originally Posted by AndroidRobot

Mine are always open when I park in the garage, the fan stays on for another 3-5min before closing the grill and I'm not driving hard. They definitely open more often than on my X3 which only did after I had some fun in Sport+

Well you are driving a V8

[borys]

I wrapped mine. $200 & 3 hours of work. Can pass contact info if anyone is interested. LA area

[NoCompromise]

Originally Posted by acf10

I wrapped mine. $200 & 3 hours of work. Can pass contact info if anyone is interested. LA area

Attachment 1985059

This is Arctic Grey?

I am persuaded that a black grill (+ extensive polishing) is a necessary expense on the basis of this picture.

[borys]

Originally Posted by NoCompromise

This is Arctic Grey?

I am persuaded that a black grill (+ extensive polishing) is a necessary expense on the basis of this picture.

its black sapphire Just got it 2 weeks ago so not sure about polishing yet. I'll keep you posted in 1-2 months

[vinnymac]

Originally Posted by acf10

I wrapped mine. $200 & 3 hours of work. Can pass contact info if anyone is interested. LA area

Attachment 1985059

That looks great!