Hello, I just installed the black LSE grille and took off the vertical Trenz grille. I really like the new look but I am unsure if I want to leave the grille black against the ivory or paint the black area ivory to match.

I have not painted the grille yet because I actually like the look of the black because it looks pretty aggressive.

I know most people have painted them to match but has anyone on a light colored car left it black?

I have attached pictures of the old grill and new LSE grille. If anyone has photo shop skills I would really appreciate what it looks like with Ivory surround.

What do the fellow members think?

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/7/web/2419000-2419999/2419456_90_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/7/web/2419000-2419999/2419456_150_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/7/web/2419000-2419999/2419456_152_full.jpg

I say paint it to color match.
Looks like black lipstick to me right now

you should paint your lower grille flat black.
That would look good.

I had mine painted to match

you should paint your lower grille flat black.
That would look good.

I agree, the black and cream work well together it's a differently look but I think it looks pretty good just need a bit more black accent on the car or you might as well paint match it

When I had mine, I left it black. I liked it.

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/4779/powdercoatlq6.jpg

I didn't have the money to paint it, so I just left it and grew to love it.

*Photoshopped the wheels and height*

When I had mine, I left it black. I liked it.

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/4779/powdercoatlq6.jpg

I didn't have the money to paint it, so I just left it and grew to love it.

damn your car looked like that? that looks nice. what kind of springs did you have on it? did you rub?

Photoshop. I couldn't find the regular picture haha. I wish mine looked like that.

I would paint it to match. Both griiles llok nice.

Paint it.

I just bought the same grille, but i haven't put it on yet because i want to paint it first.

You trying to copy me man, Foose speedsters and now the same grill?? Are you going to paint your car blue next? j/k :)

I just bought the same grille, but i haven't put it on yet because i want to paint it first.

You trying to copy me man, Foose speedsters and now the same grill?? Are you going to paint your car blue next? j/k :)

No man, this second year with the wheels. Yae I assumed most would say paint it but just wanted opinions. Thanks.

I am with the majority. If there were more black it wouldn't stick out so bad. If you do paint it to match I think it would look better. But its your car, do what you like with it.

It definitely makes the grille stand out more. But I think, not in a bad way.

Big improvement buddy. I hate those trenz grilles but to each his own.

I say paint it!

I say paint it. check out lsmonk's ride. he's got the same color, and painted to match lse grille. looks awesome.

i'd keep it and get some black eyelids for the headlights

I say paint it. check out lsmonk's ride. he's got the same color, and painted to match lse grille. looks awesome.

Hey Pete, I tried searching lsmonk but did not find any results. Do you have the link? Thanks

I think it looks cool like that, would be really neet with black roof.

I didn't know it had a space. sorry. his username is LS Monk. Here's a link to his pic gallery:

http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/vbpicgallery.php?do=view&g=901

And actually, If you did leave the grille as is, and paint the lower grille matte black like mine, it would probably look pretty sweet:

I say paint it. It'll look sweet. The only thing left after that would be painting the headlight bezels. I could help if you wanted to give that a try. Looking good though!

I say paint it. It'll look sweet. The only thing left after that would be painting the headlight bezels. I could help if you wanted to give that a try. Looking good though!

Hey Nic, yae I decided I am going to paint the grille Ivory. It is cool though to get a different perspective that is why I put it on the car. As far as painting the headlight bezels I am just not sure. I do like the black and ivory combination up front. But thank you for the offer I will keep that in mind.

OH, and John, AWESOME decision on switching to the LSE grille. Looks a lot better!

OH, and John, AWESOME decision on switching to the LSE grille. Looks a lot better!

Yae man thanks, definately an upgrade to the Trenz grille. The old grille was actual chrome so it was chipping and looking bad. Also there are too many bars. I guess I do not like that it is plastic but what the hell no one will know. I will get this puppy painted hopefully later this week.

Your black upper and lower sets off the Ivory and looks great. Have you installed that lower McClaren Grille yet over the bars?

Good decision to paint it.

I know what you mean about the bezels. I was thinking about doing mine but then I opted not to since it adds more depth and contrast.

Hey John, didn't you say you had two sets of lights? If you were curious, you could paint the winter ones (non-angel eyes ones) and then you would only wear those in the dirty cold months. Just a thought. You only gotta do what you think would look good.

John, I have to make a new one. I didn't like the way the other one had a gap at the top. It's a real pain using this thicker material because of the compund curves the grille has. The material wants to "smile" when I wrap it around. I should have it done in about a week, once I get some free time.

Hey John, didn't you say you had two sets of lights? If you were curious, you could paint the winter ones (non-angel eyes ones) and then you would only wear those in the dirty cold months. Just a thought. You only gotta do what you think would look good.

Yae I do have two sets that I swap for winter, but that one has the black sealant and I know people have taken them apart but I heard they are a bear compared to gray.

I got the grille painted Ivory and looks a lot better than black and the crappy Trenz grille. The Ivory is a tricky tri-coat paint that was not easy to match. It does appear a little lighter but overall looks clean. Thanks for everyone's opinions.

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/7/web/2419000-2419999/2419456_153_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/7/web/2419000-2419999/2419456_154_full.jpg

Awesome. Looks great!

Awesome. Looks great!

Thanks Pete, I am really looking forward to going to Hinckley and meeting up. This will be good motivation for the next week to polish, wax, and detail the car.

I know what you mean. I just shampoo'd the carpet and mats yesterday. Well, tried to anyways. I'm going to do it again with a different cleaner.

I know what you mean. I just shampoo'd the carpet and mats yesterday. Well, tried to anyways. I'm going to do it again with a different cleaner.

What kind of polish and wax do you use? I have heard good things about Meguiar's or I have some 3M stuff. Sadly I have never polished or waxed the car so I need to bring out that Ivory luster.

So next week maybe we can exchange numbers. I think that would be a good idea in case weather threatens our meet and then Saturday morning you, Nic, and I would be able to talk.

Oh and your interior with that double din is slick.

Zymol FOR THE WIN!!!!

That grille looks so much better now. At first I said wow that looks way better than the old one but now that its painted, it is complete!


I love using Zymol products. If you cant find it go to a small time store and ask if they can get it in for you. Thats what I did. I could find the leather cleaner and the cleaner wax at Target but I wasn't satisfied with that alone so I went on a search finally at a local owned little shop they got the rest in for me.


I was cleaning my wheels ( I have a good system for doing that ) and I noticed a scratch along the lip and started flipping out.


A bit of elbow power and the Zymol got rid of it. Or at least made it not noticeable anymore.

Zymol FOR THE WIN!!!!

That grille looks so much better now. At first I said wow that looks way better than the old one but now that its painted, it is complete!


I love using Zymol products. If you cant find it go to a small time store and ask if they can get it in for you. Thats what I did. I could find the leather cleaner and the cleaner wax at Target but I wasn't satisfied with that alone so I went on a search finally at a local owned little shop they got the rest in for me.


I was cleaning my wheels ( I have a good system for doing that ) and I noticed a scratch along the lip and started flipping out.


A bit of elbow power and the Zymol got rid of it. Or at least made it not noticeable anymore.

Yae Zymol I have heard of that and is some good stuff. Thanks

This spring I bought the step 1,2,and 3 red bottles of meg's paint system. (cleaner wax, deep crystal polish, and something else). Don't waste your money. So much work for hardly any difference. www.detailedimage.com has some awesome packages that they bundle together to kind of take the guess work out of it. I'm waiting until I get my Porter Cable 7424 before I go buying all the polishes and waxes. Right now, I only do a 2 bucket wash, claybar, cleaner wax, and Ice. I don't reccommend the Ice as anything that will last. But I wash my car about twice a week, so I just take the extra 10 minutes and apply it when needed. I also need to dust off the car every morning, since that Turtle Wax Ice is like a magnet for dust, pollen, etc.

Eventually I'm going to invest in a selection of mainly Menzerna, Poorboy's, and Zaino products. I've only heard good things about them, but they are expensive.

JWerner, which Zymol product do you use?

I use the leather cleaner, cleaner wax, HD Cleanse, I have creame wax and a few applicators and cloths.


I think I am going for a good bundle kit soon. My problem is that I live in a apt complex and the management is very strict so I cant use a porter cable or anything. I cant even bucket wash or detail my car here. I just pack everything up was the car at a buddies house or something and let the kids run around at the park while I do a detail. I haven't gotten to do a good one for a while now since the weather has been on and off rain.

I usually run through it pretty quick seeing how I'm out at the park and in most cases cant take all the time in the world and I will tell you that it looks great after I do a job by hand even with it being a fast one.

Yeah that's a big downfall of renting. I'm glad I own my own place. Hopefully thi susmmer, I'm getting a new garage. 3 stall with a lift. My girlfriend better spend all the time she can with me now, because once that garage is up and running....

Looks MUCH better now!!

thats nice

love it :D

I got the grille painted Ivory and looks a lot better than black and the crappy Trenz grille. The Ivory is a tricky tri-coat paint that was not easy to match. It does appear a little lighter but overall looks clean. Thanks for everyone's opinions.

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/7/web/2419000-2419999/2419456_153_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/7/web/2419000-2419999/2419456_154_full.jpg
Looks much better. Also, the tri-coats are much more difficult to paint match. My painter says the best way to match tri-coats is to blend in the area.