I have a billet grille on my TCM. It has black top and bottom of each bar, end the front is polished. Should I paint the front black? I probably should have gone slightly darker in photoshop, but I was worried it wouldn't look like a billet grille in the pics (like how the lower honeycombs don't show through.) Does anyone have any pics of black billet grilles?

Now, how to paint? First off, what level of gloss would look best? Does anyone else with a painted grille have any issues with paint chipping or flaking? There are no powder coating shops around, so I could send it off if a rattle can won't suffice, but I'd prefer not to.

Currently:



And with black:

 

keep it polished, it looks better with the car color

 

Rattle can won't last a week. Powder coating would probably be best. I would think a close second best would be properly applied automotive paint over a good automotive etching primer coat. I would try to match the color to the lower grills or the wheels to offer a connection with the design. Another possibility would be to leave the top and bottom rung polished and do the remaining inner rungs black like your wheels. The upper and lower still being shiny will also serve to connect the headlights visually.

 

Ayup, paint won't stick to it very long. It will peel and flake off unless you etch and prime it first. Even with powder coating you will have to etch and prime first.

I suggest you stop by a plating house and ask them what you should do. They may be able to etch it any color you want, as long as it is bronze to black.

 

Hmmm. It looks like it's more work than I had hoped. I don't really like the generic look of the polished billet, and I am really loving the photoshopped image. Looks like I need a powder coater. Thanks for all the replies.

 

Acid etching will turn quality nickel plate into bronze. Stronger solution will turn it black. If the nickel plate is poor quality then you will have a mess. Consult with a plating shop. They will know which acid to use and what strength.

 

i just bought a black speed grille and it should be here tomorrow ill post pics, it was 80 bucks, you could sell that one and buy the black one im sure. ill get back to you on this

 

Please do, and take pics of how the fitment is. That'll look sweet on a BSP.

 

if you can get me a host ill put up pictures, i got it about 30 minutes ok, for 80 bucks its not too bad, the fitment kinda sucks but im gonna tweak that with some gold ol pliers and drill bit.

 

i think so too

 

pm-ing you now.

 

can you even paint billet?

 

Billet refers to the shape of the bars. Basically, it means square or rectangular tube. In this case, it's aluminum, and yes, one can paint aluminum. It may not last long (which is why I posted) but I could get it to adhere. It looks like I will need to get it powder coated for a lasting finish.

Here is xmetalx's grille:

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...spagename=WDVW

thats the same grille but in black, fitment isnt spectacular, but you could definatly tweak it a little bit and make it fit fine.