DIY: Plastidip Grille

[Debonair]

I have been debating on whether to paint or Plastidip my front grille black. I choose Pastidip since it is easier and faster. I also used the Glossifier to add some shine to the coating.

Supplies:

• Rubbing Alcohol
  Q-tips
  Clean microfiber cloth
  Plastidip - Black
  Plastidip - Glossifier
  Masking tape - .25" & 1-2"
  Plastic sheeting or butcher/newspaper
  Scrap cardboard

Steps
1. Clean the grille - The Pastidip will adhere better to a clean surface. Use Q-tips and rubbing alcohol to clean the corners and hard to reach spots. And then wipe the whole grille down very thoroughly with a clean microfiber towel.

2. Protect the radiator from overspray -Remove the air deflector to gain access to the back of the grille. The scrap cardboard can be inserted behind the grill to keep the Plastidip from coating the radiator.




3. Start taping off the grille - I used .25" masking take to start. Unlike wider masking tape it will conform to curves very easily. Once the edges are done, follow up with wider masking tape being sure it all seals down well. Plastidip overspray is easy to clean up but I would rather avoid it completely.




4. Protect the front end from overspray - I used a 1-mil' plastic drop sheet (to cover the front end of the car. Once it is taped down cut a hole for the grille and use masking tape to seal around it.




5. Apply the Plastidip - First coat should be about 50% coverage. I went back and fourth twice over each set of ribs and the bottom. Wait 5 minutes and repeat. Repeat until you are happy with the coverage. I did about 8 coats total.









6. Apply the Glossifier - Wait at least 15 minutes after the last coat of Plastidip before starting to apply the Glossifier. For each coat I went back and fourth twice over each set of ribs and the bottom. Wait 5 minutes and repeat, being careful to let it dry. If it looks too wet it needs to dry a little longer. This will help avoid runs. Repeat until you are happy with the coverage. I did about 6 coats total.



7. While waiting between each coat of the Plastidip tape up the emblem, and then using the same time intervals as used for the grille apply Plastidiip then Glossifier to it.







8. Remove the tape and plastic and enjoy the results





Some better pics to come.

Cost: About $20 since I already had most of the supplies

• Rubbing Alcohol - Freebie (wifes budget)
  Q-tips - Freebie (wifes budget)
  Clean microfiber cloth - Freebie
  Plastidip - Black - $6
  Plastidip - Glossifier - $8
  Masking tape - .25" - $2 (Amazon)
  Masking tape - 1" &/OR 2" Freebie
  9' x12' (cut down to size needed) Plastic sheeting - $2
  Scrap cardboard (pizza box) - Freebie

[Altim8M37]

I'm assuming you bought the pizza to acquire the box....

But other than that, looks good bro. I like the idea to use the glossifier. Would be interesting to see a glossy grille with a dipped emblem but left matte.

A++ write up. Will read again!

[k67p67]

Nice write-up. You may want to obscure your plate in step #7.

[Debonair]

I'm assuming you bought the pizza to acquire the box....

But other than that, looks good bro. I like the idea to use the glossifier. Would be interesting to see a glossy grille with a dipped emblem but left matte.

A++ write up. Will read again!

Thanks. I think the difference would be hard to spot unless you were up close. The gloss is very subtle.

The pizza box was actually a dumpster-dive special from my recycling bin. My son had devoured the pizza a few days earlier.

Nice write-up. You may want to obscure your plate in step #7.

Good looking out. Fixed it. Thanks

[tmf2004]

nicely done

[adeedpb]

A lot of people bash Plastidip but I think it's a great product. I keep getting friends into it and they love it.

[Ilya]

Must be nice to live in Cali. A hole.

Thanks...I'll be doing this this summer. Adding to FAQ.

[Debonair]

nicely done

Thanks

A lot of people bash Plastidip but I think it's a great product. I keep getting friends into it and they love it.

This is my first time using it for an automotive purpose. It was as easy as advertised.

Must be nice to live in Cali. A hole.

Thanks...I'll be doing this this summer. Adding to FAQ.

[Ilya]

Saturday's upcoming forecast...I'm in Albany, NY (-19).

[Debonair]

It's a little chilly here too.....at night.

[infinitedrift]

You guys should looks into AUTODIP. Same concept but instead of rubber its vinyl spray, so it looks like you wrapped your grille instead of spray can. Looks a lot nicer then plastidip. Comes in a many colors. Look at the youtube videos as well.

http://www.autodip.com/shop/

[Debonair]

You guys should looks into AUTODIP. Same concept but instead of rubber its vinyl spray, so it looks like you wrapped your grille instead of spray can. Looks a lot nicer then plastidip. Comes in a many colors. Look at the youtube videos as well.

http://www.autodip.com/shop/

Pretty cool! Once the plastidip starts to peal or look ugly I'll try the gloss Autodip. $25 a can is not bad. Thanks for the heads up.

[adeedpb]

We may have the good weather out here but I still can't legally take my cats off!

[Ilya]

It's a little chilly here too.....at night.

Bastid. I'd be out on my Ninja in that weather, forget the M lol.

You guys should looks into AUTODIP. Same concept but instead of rubber its vinyl spray, so it looks like you wrapped your grille instead of spray can. Looks a lot nicer then plastidip. Comes in a many colors. Look at the youtube videos as well.

http://www.autodip.com/shop/

Thanks for the tip!

[ProverbPsalms]

Bump this is amazing - thank you!

Will try this next week and post my results

[GMBQ70]

Bump Bump- Nice Job!

[InfinitiAce]

Nice guide. I did mine a year or so ago. It still looks perfect. You actually don't have to spend all that time removing and taping the Infiniti logo. Just plastidip the entire thing and then peel off the logo. That is the benefit of Plastidip. You can just peel it right off.

[Malbec 56 Beast]

So did the plasti dip hold up?

I would of thought you would of done a high quality paint so it lasts longer.

Some wheels I bought were plastidipped and I with they were painted to pay a lot longer.

Great job though, looks real nice.

Andy

[Debonair]

Bump this is amazing - thank you! Will try this next week and post my results

Bump Bump- Nice Job!

Thanks!
-

Nice guide. I did mine a year or so ago. It still looks perfect. You actually don't have to spend all that time removing and taping the Infiniti logo. Just plastidip the entire thing and then peel off the logo. That is the benefit of Plastidip. You can just peel it right off.

Mine too. I have one small hole from a rock chip but its not growing and not noticeable so i'm fine with it. Makes sense on not taping the emblem. Thanks!
-

So did the plasti dip hold up?

I would of thought you would of done a high quality paint so it lasts longer.

Some wheels I bought were plastidipped and I with they were painted to pay a lot longer.

Great job though, looks real nice.

Andy

Still looks great with the exception of one small hole that has been there for a while without growing. The color is still dark black with no loss of sheen. I think since the Plastidip will not chip when hit with rocks it will likely last longer then paint. I'm still very happy. If/when I change the bumper I might have a second grille body shop painted and swap it in. Thanks!
-

[ssmrico]

emblem just pops off?

[cyanide7730]

emblem just pops off?

Yep, there are two tabs that need to be squeezed from the inside and it will unlatch to slide out.