Considering Painting Grille - Need pics/Opinions

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TrickVert

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I'm planning to take the next step in de-chroming the LS. Trouble is, I'm not sure how it's going to look with he surround body color, and the grille left charcoal gray.

I have searched the board and have found McClaren grilles with the center section painted body color and black (I'd like black better in my case), as well as the LSE grille. The LSE isn't an option, as I'm trying to get rid of the chrome, not just move it around. The McClaren grille would be great, but I don't really want to drop the cash on it.

Soooo, I'm looking for:

a) Pics of the stock grille with the surround body color and the bars stock color
b) Pics of the stock grille painted all body color.

Dark colors would give me the best idea of what this would look like on mine.

-- OR -- :)

If somebody has the skills, time, and inclination, and would be willing to Photoshop the above options (or other opinions) for me, below are a couple pics of the car. (Sorry, it was just starting to rain when I snapped these.)

Any help and input will be welcomed and appreciated. THANKS!

Andy

IMG_0138Medium.jpg


IMG_0135Medium.jpg
 
here is mine:

DSC04893.jpg


The outter part of my grill was from an LSE so it wasn't chrome. My rear surround was chrome and I got it painted, the there is a less chance of getting the rear one chipped then the front one since there are no rocks flying.
 
The whole grill painted the color of the car would be too much, leave the center black.
 
I was leaning that direction, now I need to think about leaving it charcoal (as-is) or actually going matte black.

Which begs the question: Are these '03 grilles two-piece units? It sure looks like one solid piece (but I've not pulled it out for close inspection). A two-piece construction sure would make things easier.

Andy
 
Some of them are one piece and some are two piece. Yea it would be much easier if you have the second one.

I would leave the center part as is, if you paint it black, you still get more chances of getting the paint chipped and I don't think that it's gonna look very nice either with shiney black grill inside.

Don't know about the lower one.
 
I considered more paint=more opportunity for chippage. But as for color, it would be a matte or flat finish, not gloss. May just leave it, though.

And I looked tonight as I was leaving, and it appears this thing is one piece. Not too bad to mask, I guess. It would just be a lot simpler if it was 2-piece. Wonder if anybody would trade? :rolleyes:

Andy
 
+1 on painting the surround, leaving the center as-is.

Here's my lower grille painted black to match the black mclaren center. It only cost me materials. I even painted it while the bumper was on the car. Mine's on a lighter color though:

P5180677.jpg


progress.jpg
 
I have the McLaren grille. But my LS is the same color as yours. So it might help some.

LS 62.jpg
 
In most cases I am a fan of painting the surround but for some reason I don't know why I like it on your car as is.

If you do paint it I wouldn't touch he center.
 
Artur, everytime I see a pic of your LS I die a little inside that mine doesnt look half as good as yours. My vote for "Most Beautiful LS" goes to yours.
 
Well, here's a pic I found online and modified (I don't have the skilz to chop the big ones above).

ORIGINAL
LeftFront.jpg


"PAINTED"
LeftFrontPaintedGrille.jpg


Hard to see what the stock grille might still look like, but from what I can tell, it might look pretty good.

Andy
 
I would just buy a second grille and paint it so you can switch on and off,...lol!

I think that color looks really good either way!
 
pektel said:
+1 on painting the surround, leaving the center as-is.

Here's my lower grille painted black to match the black mclaren center. It only cost me materials. I even painted it while the bumper was on the car. Mine's on a lighter color though:
Click to expand...

Pektel, That's my second-favorite color for these cars, and you're looks absolutely fantastic! And I like the blacked-out lower. Looks great on the lighter color. Not sure how it would look on mine. More photoshop needs. :rolleyes:

Andy
 
JWerner2 said:
I would just buy a second grille and paint it so you can switch on and off,...lol!

I think that color looks really good either way!
Click to expand...

That would be the best scenario, but also more $$ than I want to spend. :)

Keep in mind my wheels are not chrome, so that may change your opinion. IMO, chrome grille with chrome wheels looks better than chrome grille with satin wheels.

Andy
 
But don't forget, painted grille calls for painted plate surround.

Regardless of the wheels the chrome grille looks good as it flows with the plate surround. So to me I think the wheels don't throw it off at all.

IMO the wheels are a totally different focal point anyway.
 
Just be prepared that if you paint a stock chrome grille, the paint does not stick very well to it even if there is etching primer used. You will see rock chips and whatnot on that grille if you drive the car a lot.
 
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