Plastdip Smoke Front Honeycomb Grille

[lukemk5gti]

Just wondering if anyone has plastidipped their honeycomb grille with the smoke plastidip?

Mine is looking a bit grey and although I could clean it up I actually fancy a change.

Now that photobucket has crapped it, all of the old images for reference are gone

[pudding]

Are they black when new?  Mine's grey too.  I might just buy a new one if they are black 

[slix]

I did this with Matt black and although it looked okay it was a pain to wash as I was worried about bits becoming unpeeled.

If I were ever to spray it again I would use an actual spray paint, either satin or Matt black.

[AJP]

This is one of those jobs that's been on my to-do list for ages. Not Plastidip, but getting them sprayed properly in satin or gloss black.

I think once they've got to a certain point, ie that lovely dull grey colour, you'd forever be chasing it with any kind of trim restoration product, and Plastidip might not be that durable.

There are a few old threads knocking about with photos of sprayed grilles, and to me they look spot on. A bit like those on modern RS Audis. But like Luke says, it might be fruitless trying to find those threads!

[slix]

Remember if you do the centre grille, then you will have to do the fog surrounds and the lower grill too 

[pudding]

This is one of those jobs that's been on my to-do list for ages. Not Plastidip, but getting them sprayed properly in satin or gloss black.

I think once they've got to a certain point, ie that lovely dull grey colour, you'd forever be chasing it with any kind of trim restoration product, and Plastidip might not be that durable.

There are a few old threads knocking about with photos of sprayed grilles, and to me they look spot on. A bit like those on modern RS Audis. But like Luke says, it might be fruitless trying to find those threads!

Aren't the Audi ones enameled, or anodized black or something?  You have to spec it as an option.  I'm just thinking paint will just chip off like the bonnet and bumper and look even more of a mess 

[lukemk5gti]

I've seen a few US threads that rave about plastidip. They say because it's rubber based that the stones nearly bounce off rather than chip.

One guy said after 3 coats and 6 months driving that it was still in perfect condition.

My issue is that it might look a bit strange in smoke or it might look really cool?

I reckon I'll just chance it on the upper grill first and if I like it then I'll do the rest and if not I'll buy a new Chinese upper?

[mkmg76]

I've seen a few US threads that rave about plastidip. They say because it's rubber based that the stones nearly bounce off rather than chip.

One guy said after 3 coats and 6 months driving that it was still in perfect condition.

My issue is that it might look a bit strange in smoke or it might look really cool?

I reckon I'll just chance it on the upper grill first and if I like it then I'll do the rest and if not I'll buy a new Chinese upper?

Go for it Luke, then you can do mine!   

[pudding]

Yeah you can be the forum guinea pig 

[lukemk5gti]

I'll post my results to photobucket...

Oh wait 

[mkmg76]

Yeah you can be the forum guinea pig 

Or as my 2 year old niece says "pinny gig". 

[AJP]

This is one of those jobs that's been on my to-do list for ages. Not Plastidip, but getting them sprayed properly in satin or gloss black.

I think once they've got to a certain point, ie that lovely dull grey colour, you'd forever be chasing it with any kind of trim restoration product, and Plastidip might not be that durable.

There are a few old threads knocking about with photos of sprayed grilles, and to me they look spot on. A bit like those on modern RS Audis. But like Luke says, it might be fruitless trying to find those threads!

Aren't the Audi ones enameled, or anodized black or something?  You have to spec it as an option.  I'm just thinking paint will just chip off like the bonnet and bumper and look even more of a mess 

You're probably right pal. And no doubt not a cheap option!

If anyone does try Plastidip and gets good results, post up!

Tapatalk is good for uploading photos...

[slix]

I just did the grill plastidip. Then it made the rest of the grilles look grey. So did them all. I used Matt black colour.

[mkmg76]

I just did the grill plastidip. Then it made the rest of the grilles look grey. So did them all. I used Matt black colour.

Get the pics up! 

[gman]

Sorry for the very crappy pic, cropped from an old Snapchat I took. Did matte black with glossifier on top in the hope of getting a sort of gloss/wet look but came out not quite so glossy.



Haven't washed it as yet since to the touch it seems quite soft so worried it may peel but time will tell. Looks wise turned out looking brand new but not wet look/glossy if that makes sense. I was going to paint too but couldn't be bothered so sand so thought I'd try out plastidip - easy to remove and paint later if it isn't durable too 

On an slightly related note broke 2 of the clips on the back of my GTI badge and found the eBay jobbies with the bolts coming out the back won't fit unless I drill holes where the original badge holders are - any ways round this?  - OEM badge replacement seems like an expensive option