[MyMiniM3]

Just figured I'd throw this on here for anyone who may be interested in trying this out. I looked for similar forums but wasn't ever sure if they were F22 specific or not. So here you go!

[casper83]

Nice work!

[tenfour]

Nice work man! Plasti dip does wonders! How many coats did you use?

[MyMiniM3]

Originally Posted by tenfour

Nice work man! Plasti dip does wonders! How many coats did you use?

7-8 of matte black and then another 7-8 of the clear coat glossifier. Roughly 5 mins between coats. 30 mins between black and clear coat. Hour drying after I finished all 15 coats

[Spydeputy]

Can you post a DIY on how to remove the grills?

[StarMan]

Originally Posted by Spydeputy

Can you post a DIY on how to remove the grills?

I used this guide ( http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=701830 ). It is literally the same, only a bit tighter.

The bumper and it's paint is quite flexible, so you'll be fine pulling on it a bit.

Trick is to start that the center top and work on the tips next to it, and to the bottom corner last. use the other hand to keep pulling on the grill so it doesn't "re-clip" trying to get the others out. When i was done my forearm was red and scratched up (looks like a cat attacked my arm), so i would recommend a long sleeve shirt.

It is painful and frustrating (took me 20 minutes to get one out). But once you get that one out, the second one is super easy, as you'll use the hole where the other Kidney was to gain access to the tabs on the other grill (DO NOT INSTALL THE NEW GRILL UNTIL BOTH OEM ARE OUT). I was able to get the OEMs out without breaking anything.

[omega145]

Looks great. I've plastidipped most grills on the cars I've owned. Decided for the 235 to just get a set of gloss black grills instead. Didn't want to have to take them out and respray when rock chips scratch the plasti off. Time to either plasti those side reflectors or go with INDs painted reflectors.

[Mywifes335]

Nice legs man!

But seriously, how easy/difficult was it to get the grilled out? How did you do it?

[MyMiniM3]

Originally Posted by Mywifes335

Nice legs man!

But seriously, how easy/difficult was it to get the grilled out? How did you do it?

Super simple and not sketchy at all like it is with usual plastic parts. Just a little finagling once you get the bumper pried back. You kind of have to shove your arm down in there and almost sequentially pop all 6 tabs without allowing the others to pop back on. Do it in sections, once you have a section free pull on it from the front to make sure it doesn't pop back on the. Once they are off separating the grille from the border is quick and painless. Adding them back after finishing your plasti dipping takes no effort or precision. Longest part is laying down the multiple coats of black and then finishing with multiple coats of gloss. I assume that's just my ADD lol.

Oh and thanks I do legs twice a week

[Mywifes335]

Good stuff man!

Did you sand the grille surrounds first?

When you pulled the bumper back, how many clips did you remove?

Lastly, which plastidip product did you use?

Thanks!

[MyMiniM3]

Originally Posted by Mywifes335

Good stuff man!

Did you sand the grille surrounds first?

When you pulled the bumper back, how many clips did you remove?

Lastly, which plastidip product did you use?

Thanks!

No sanding and its been at least a month and half now and 15 car washes later with no problems. I want to say there were 8 clips total on the frame piece and just 5-6 on the grille piece. Dupli color black matte and dupli color glossifier

[Mywifes335]

Sweet! Thanks!