Color-Matched Grill

Body kits, spoilers, lights, and anything on the exterior of the vehicle
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Infinity-x
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Color-Matched Grill

Post by Infinity-x »

Hi guys, had some free time today so I thought I would paint my front grill to match my car. Here are the pictures. What do you think? To each his own I know.. but I personally love the look of a grill that matches the car. It makes things flow much more nicely.

Pics:

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Also, here is another angle of my new wheels!

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A Psycho Martyr
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by A Psycho Martyr »

that looks ill ;)
i bet that took some nerve to actuallt commit to that idea lol
you pulled it off nicely tho.

you give it a good thick layer of clear coat?
I can't imagine a plastic painted grille holding up for much more than a year or two
Infinity-x
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by Infinity-x »

A Psycho Martyr wrote:that looks ill ;)
i bet that took some nerve to actuallt commit to that idea lol
you pulled it off nicely tho.

you give it a good thick layer of clear coat?
I can't imagine a plastic painted grille holding up for much more than a year or two
No clear coat. I know it is needed but I have to redo all the paint on my car this summer (my lower grill is painted to match as well, and is looking pretty rough up close) so don't worry, a clear coat is coming within the next 3 months :D

Glad you like it, can't really fork out the money to buy a mesh grill for the car right now, so I thought this would do for now.
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vit
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by vit »

Looks very good... I may have to do something to mine now too...
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by crazytrain »

That actually looks really nice.
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by MrHatchWagon »

I like it!
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vibenvy
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by vibenvy »

Not really my taste. I prefer the contrast the black grilles provide. Props for not being afraid to try something different though ;)!
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09vGT
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by 09vGT »

J_TO_ENVY wrote:Not really my taste. I prefer the contrast the black grilles provide. Props for not being afraid to try something different though ;)!
X2. Too much silver. If you like it though, roll with it! :)
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A Psycho Martyr
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by A Psycho Martyr »

Infinity-x wrote:can't really fork out the money to buy a mesh grill for the car right now, so I thought this would do for now.
well with the mesh grille available for those, isn't it just up top? leaving you one mesh grille and then some slots on the bottom?

that's why I love my grille. It's the same on top and bottom...not mismatched looking.
if you could get a mesh piece that is identical to the top mesh grille, that would look REALLY good
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by Infinity-x »

A Psycho Martyr wrote:
Infinity-x wrote:can't really fork out the money to buy a mesh grill for the car right now, so I thought this would do for now.
well with the mesh grille available for those, isn't it just up top? leaving you one mesh grille and then some slots on the bottom?

that's why I love my grille. It's the same on top and bottom...not mismatched looking.
if you could get a mesh piece that is identical to the top mesh grille, that would look REALLY good
The one on Ebay comes with top and bottom.

Image
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A Psycho Martyr
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by A Psycho Martyr »

well that has made my day already and it's only 4:27am :D

that looks amazing. better than mine IMO. Not sure my Vibe could pull off mesh like that.

about a year ago when I checked eBay, that baby wasn't on there yet.
Infinity-x
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by Infinity-x »

A Psycho Martyr wrote:well that has made my day already and it's only 4:27am :D

that looks amazing. better than mine IMO. Not sure my Vibe could pull off mesh like that.

about a year ago when I checked eBay, that baby wasn't on there yet.
I agree it looks great, but the seller charges extra to have it silver and polished. In stock form it is shipped to you in just a brushed, flat gray/silver/black color. The brushed ones are only $50 shipped, while the polished ones are more pricy at around $100, since the seller takes them to his polisher and charges $40 bucks for it. That is why I think I got the next best thing with a can of $9 paint ;)
Infinity-x
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by Infinity-x »

I am not that satisfied with the final results of my painting. Sure they look great, but as others said it is just a bit too much silver. On to my next plans. I am thinking of painting the stock chrome around the grill (the actual chrome that came with the car) black, and leaving the grill inserts silver (the ones I painted) and then also paint the lower center grill black as well.

Sorry if thats confusing, but it will add a bit of black into the picture.
Infinity-x
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by Infinity-x »

Wow that is exactly what I was looking for!! Yes that is what I want :P

Do you think that looks better or should I just leave it the way I have it? The only reason I would paint the grill surrounds and center grill black is to match with the headlights and fog lights.

I am personally leaning towards Psycho's picture. It looks great and isn't so much silver.
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by Wolfman213 »

DO IT!!!!!!! The black sets it off PERFECTLY IMO!!!!! :!: :!:
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A Psycho Martyr
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by A Psycho Martyr »

yeah, i really like it and say go for it, but i also have asuggestion.
try plastidip. it's flat black, but it's not permanent so if you hate it, you peel it off.
And now theyt make a glossifier for it so you can have gloss if you want
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by Kincaid »

I'm surprised, but I actually like it. I wouldn't do it for myself, but I think it looks good. Much, much better than that eBay mesh grille. I also do NOT like the silver grille with the black surround.
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by vibenvy »

Eh... can't say I'm a fan of the new look either.

In my opinion, it looks best the way it came from the factory. The black and chrome goes great with the headlight and taillight housings. This thread does give me one more reason to be glad I have a GT though. Having a Base with the different design of the lower grille would drive me nuts!
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Infinity-x
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by Infinity-x »

Psycho.. I want to pick your brains with the great photo editing!

(When you get the chance) Can you make my rims black in this picture?

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If that is too difficult then don't stress over it, I understand!
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A Psycho Martyr
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by A Psycho Martyr »

Here ya go. It's hard to make something look black and the results actually come out convincing.lol
or well it is for ME anyway. Haven't learned formally how to do it yet. Just tried different ways.
ANYWAYS... here ya go :)

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Infinity-x
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by Infinity-x »

A Psycho Martyr wrote:Here ya go. It's hard to make something look black and the results actually come out convincing.lol
or well it is for ME anyway. Haven't learned formally how to do it yet. Just tried different ways.
ANYWAYS... here ya go :)

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As usual that looks great! What program do you use? Not too sure if I like the way the black wheels look on my car. I'm just gonna paint the calipers red and see how it looks, if I am not satisfied then I will do the wheels black.
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A Psycho Martyr
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by A Psycho Martyr »

I'm using GIMP
if you gimme a side shot of the front your car showing a calipers and ill do it in red for ya
Infinity-x
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by Infinity-x »

A Psycho Martyr wrote:I'm using GIMP
if you gimme a side shot of the front your car showing a calipers and ill do it in red for ya
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Is that good? I know the pictures are dark. but its the best my iphone can do.

Also, I wasn't feeling all the silver, so I went back to all black. Inspired by Wave8Gt(?) here on the forums!

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vibenvy
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by vibenvy »

Infinity-x wrote:Also, I wasn't feeling all the silver, so I went back to all black. Inspired by Wave8Gt(?) here on the forums!

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The all black looks much better! Now you should paint the chrome that surrounds the fog lights black ;).
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A Psycho Martyr
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by A Psycho Martyr »

OH, and i need a picture where I can see the calipers more to to the red mock-up for ya :|
sorry
Infinity-x
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by Infinity-x »

Well I went ahead and ordered the aftermarket billet grill for the 09+ Vibe.
(The one pictured above)

Will post pictures when installed.
Infinity-x
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by Infinity-x »

A Psycho Martyr wrote:you think ya might paint it black?
I'm not too sure. what do you think would look the best in your opinion? It comes to me from the seller as a "brushed" silver which basically means its an unpainted flat grey. So either way i am going to have to either paint it black or silver. The silver looks GREAT on that red vibe its pictured in, but since my Vibe is silver I am not sure yet, what do you think? Black or silver? I suppose I could try both if all else fails.
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by Infinity-x »

A Psycho Martyr wrote:I think Silver since the trim around your grille is still black
I think you're right. I will try silver first and see how it goes. Will post pics once its installed.
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by vibenvy »

Infinity-x wrote:Black or silver?
A Psycho Martyr wrote:I think Silver since the trim around your grille is still black
Infinity-x wrote:I think you're right. I will try silver first and see how it goes. Will post pics once its installed.
Black and put the edges of the upper grilles back to chrome. Just my $0.02 though.

Either way, I look forward to seeing pictures of the new grille installed ;)!
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A Psycho Martyr
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by A Psycho Martyr »

J_TO_ENVY wrote:Black and put the edges of the upper grilles back to chrome. Just my $0.02 though.
If I thought he could get back to stock w/o replacing it, I'd say yeah...Chrome trim w/black grille but he'd have to sand the plastic.

It'll still look good tho
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by vibenvy »

A Psycho Martyr wrote:If I thought he could get back to stock w/o replacing it, I'd say yeah...Chrome trim w/black grille but he'd have to sand the plastic.
I guess I just assumed he had used PlastiDip and thus would be able to peel it right off without any damage :|.
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by A Psycho Martyr »

I dunno. That'd be sweet tho. Then I'd DEF go black grille w/chrome trim.

Maybe I'm just jealous b/c my Vibe has like...NO CHROME.lol..

Well I guess the 2 pcs on the dash and 2pcs on the door :?

This reminds me..I saw a bumper sticker on a chromed out (waaayyyy overdone) truck that said , "I'd rather be homeless than chromeless" lol

Rednecks and their chrome bumpers.lol :lol:
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by Infinity-x »

Nope, the black around the grille is not plasti-dipped. So it is not really possible to go back to chrome. I COULD do it silver, but it will be the same color and flat/dullness of the whole car.

I love chrome too LOL, thankfully I still have the chrome inside my headlights, fog lights, and tail lights :twisted:
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A Psycho Martyr
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by A Psycho Martyr »

Man as long as you still do as goos a jopb as you did before, I'm positive it will look good.

And I don't think it looks "ricey" either
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by erick44 »

ha, thats funny Been wondering if I should paint my grills. Except I wanted to paint mine gloss black to give it a newer wide mouth look like the srt8 charger and mistubishi lancers, Ill let everyone konow how it turns out
Infinity-x
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by Infinity-x »

Before:
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After:
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A Psycho Martyr
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by A Psycho Martyr »

I love it man.
The black goes awesome with the fog surrounds.

Everything blends perfectly
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by erick44 »

check out my thread I just did mine tonight :)
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vibenvy
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by vibenvy »

Looks a million times better with the matching upper and lower grilles! Good work ;)!
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Infinity-x
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by Infinity-x »

Thanks for the compliments guys!

BTW I've just ordered 3 cans of plasti dip :P

List to be painted BLACK:

-Spoiler
-Partial blackout of wheels (gonna leave the surrounding lip chrome)
-Side Mirrors BLACK
-Black accented door handles

HOPEFULLY I can get all of that done with 3 cans. Will update once I receive the paint.
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vibenvy
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by vibenvy »

Infinity-x wrote:BTW I've just ordered 3 cans of plasti dip :P

List to be painted BLACK:

-Spoiler
-Partial blackout of wheels (gonna leave the surrounding lip chrome)
-Side Mirrors BLACK
-Black accented door handles

HOPEFULLY I can get all of that done with 3 cans. Will update once I receive the paint.
Looking forward to seeing pictures :)!
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Infinity-x
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by Infinity-x »

Spoiler and mirrors done! Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures of the mirrors. I will get those tomorrow when I *HOPEFULLY* get to plastidipping my rims.

What do you guys think? Do you think I should do the WHOLE spoiler or leave it partial like it I have in the pictures?

Image

Image
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vibenvy
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by vibenvy »

Infinity-x wrote:Spoiler and mirrors done! Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures of the mirrors. I will get those tomorrow when I *HOPEFULLY* get to plastidipping my rims.

What do you guys think? Do you think I should do the WHOLE spoiler or leave it partial like it I have in the pictures?
Can't wait to see pictures of the mirrors and wheels!

I would leave the spoiler the way it is in the pictures.
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Infinity-x
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by Infinity-x »

Just a teaser!

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Image

More + better pics coming soon!
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vibenvy
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Re: Color-Matched Grill

Post by vibenvy »

Infinity-x wrote:Just a teaser!

Image

Image

More + better pics coming soon!
Looks good! I really like the wheels! Can't wait to see more pictures ;)!
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