Painted the grille black

[MinisterofDOOM]

Didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped, but this was just a test run, so I know what not to do next time. This grille is missing most of it's mounting hardware, anyway (only the top is secured) so I'll just buy a second and try again more carefully. I made the BIG mistake of epoxying the Mt. Fuji back into the grille before I realized I might want to take it out again. So this grille's pretty much shot as far as trying again.

The biggest issue is getting between the slats (you can see the poorly covered area on the bottom between the slats) without getting drips/runs/thick nastiness around them. I think I may end up having to mask the grille and do that part separately after the rest has cured. Next time I won't be driving grille-less so I won't feel so rushed to get it back on the car and I'll have time to do it right.

I also spotted a can of "chrome" paint as I was buying the duplicolor black and decided I would try and re-chrome the pitted and gold-packaged emblem while I was at it.

I used Duplicolor's "import black" and duplicolor "wheel coatings" clear coat in an effort to protect from inevitable debris damage. The black matched up pretty good.

The clear isn't as effective as I'd hoped. I put it on pretty thick and there are already still a few chips showing the old chrome.

As for the emblem, a bath in acetone removed the gold coloring, but the pitting was still bad enough that I thought the chrome paint would be worth it. Problem is you can't clear over the chrome paint or it ruins the sheen.

What do you think of perhaps painting the slats black and leaving the perimeter chrome? Or vice-versa?



Click either for higher resolution.

I just washed the car 5 days ago...I can't believe how dirty it is already.

[NightRiderQ45]

Don't take this the wrong way, but you should have left it chrome IMO. I don't like the look.

[gammer_ghn]

It looks like it has dandruff lol. Its nicer with chrome!

[NightRiderQ45]

It looks like it has dandruff lol. Its nicer with chrome!

LOL

[BLACKonBLACK98]

don't know if i like it or not so i posted just to let you know i thought about it.

[paranoidjack]

Not bad...but this coming from a y33 owner that changed his black to chrome.

I think 99% of car modifications are just an artifact of the "greener grass" cliche.

[maxnix]

I think 99% of car modifications are just an artifact of the "greener grass" cliche.

Yup, why all the lemmings here want JDM stuff and all the boys in Japan want Infiniti stuff.

[smalcom]

Chacun à son goût. I like it, but also like the chrome. Is the logo called Mt. Fuji? I've never come across that reference before.

[maxnix]

Is the logo called Mt. Fuji? I've never come across that reference before.

It's all in the previous posts. Well, at least a lot of it.....

zerothread?id=133453

[MinisterofDOOM]

Don't take this the wrong way, but you should have left it chrome IMO. I don't like the look.

It's cool. I wouldn't have posted it if I wasn't looking for feedback.

Hopefully the grille I pick up for my next attempt will be less pitted so I can leave the Mt. Fuji really chromed instead of the duller paint.

I held off on painting it for a while because I wasn't even sure I'd like it. But I like the way it turned out. I think it would look even better if the grille was flush with the hood.

I may also put some mesh over the slats on the next "iteration." Could be good or bad...guess we'll see.

Is the logo called Mt. Fuji? I've never come across that reference before.

Not necessarily the "official" name for it, but the term comes from one of the early Infiniti press releases where they talk about the inspirations for the logo. One was "a road stretching into infinity" and the other was Mt. Fuji, since it's a great symbol of Japan.

[maxnix]

I may also put some mesh over the slats on the next "iteration." Could be good or bad...guess we'll see.

I think someone already did that. Pretty much a meh. This is a strange obsession, and with the rest of the bright metal work intact, not sure it will ever look right, certainly not durable with paint.

One of the best details of later G50 is the bright trim around the tail lamp assembly. Other Lexi and stuff just look so Corrola like in comparison wiht plastic lamp assembly next to sheet metal.

[MinisterofDOOM]

One of the best details of later G50 is the bright trim around the tail lamp assembly. Other Lexi and stuff just look so Corrola like in comparison wiht plastic lamp assembly next to sheet metal.

I totally agree there. Even compared with the older Q, the difference is great. I like a blacked out look, but there's some chrome on the Q I'll never get rid of...like the waistline trim, the window trim, tail light trim, or door handle chrome. Those will stay for some balance. The (stock) grille was never really my style to begin with, so I'm looking for a way to lessen it's impact. Something more subtle than a large mass of chrome.

If only I could mix and match. I like the later Q rear end, the later Q front lower bumper, and the later Q chrome trim around the waist, but I prefer the earlier Q hood/belt buckle and "front-only" headlights. Oh well.

[maxnix]

Well, try leaving the grille frame chrome.

[Haitian_King]

Well I think it looks great. I was never a fan of the later G50 grille to begin with. I like what you've done. It doesn't detract from the car.

I really like the second picture.

[thejapino]

Well I think it would look better if all of the chrome was blacked out.

You could black out your headlights, tint your taillights (very light tint), and use shadowline tape on the waistline chrome trim, window surrounds, and door handles.

BMW guys use 'shadowline' tape to black out chrome trim. Look it up.

Before:

After:

*bad example, first one on google*

[MinisterofDOOM]

Normally I'd agree that all black is the way to go. I like black a LOT. Ask any NICO members who've met me...I don't even own any clothes that aren't black.

But I just don't think the Q would look right without some of the accent chrome. Since it's nearly all nice and subtle and very tastefully done, there's not much aside from the grille I don't like. I think the car would look too...flat without the chrome accents. I might even keep the grille chrome if it were flush with the rest of the fascia (like the Maxima's for instance).

The tail lights are actually already tinted...fairly dark. No way I'd ever do the headlights. Not my style plus it'd probably get me cited in no time.

I'm sure there are applications where the shadowline tape would look good, but that Bimmer isn't one. It cheapens it up a lot. Makes it look more like a fancied-up Sentra than a Bavarian work of art.

I did (and still do) plan on painting the wheels gunmetal. Problem is, they need a lot of cleaning up, and I need tools I don't have to do it. Once I get my hands on a sandblaster I'll get them done, though.

[thejapino]

As for blacking out the headlights, I didn't mean tinting the lens, I meant pulling apart the housings, painting any non-reflective surface black, resealing and instant black-housings. Sorry, should've been more clear on that.

Also, shadowline on an E34. He did the kidney grill, headlight surrounds, and window/door trim. Transforms the car from luxo to sporty!

[MinisterofDOOM]

Okay, yeah. That 5 is definitely sexy. I have a huge weakness for all things 5 and 7.

Blacking out the INSIDE of the headlight is a very interesting idea...I think if I were to do that, I'd convert to HIDs so I could afford to get rid of most of the reflector chrome. Hmmm...