Gloss or matte???

Z

Z4Rick

Member
Finally decided to go with blacked out grills in front of my E89 35i when it hit me I could go with glossy or matte finishes. I can not decide! I know a number of you have done this mod....is there a preferred finish? I tend to lean towards glossy with the silver paint, mostly since there is no other matte on the car, but I have never seen one up close. Help!
 
I had this same choice/ trial but went with glossing the end. Have since seen Matt and gloss together on the exact colour of my car and am happy with my choice.

That said the matte looked good as well but the gloss just a bit less aftermarket.
 
This US election should be as unanimous as you fellow Zed enthusiasts are! GLOSS it is!

Thanks guys - appreciate it very much.

Now, on to those nasty metal clips....
 
I originally bought non OEM grilles from eBay. They were matte and I hated them. I paid for OEM gloss grilles and they look the business.
 
Genuine BMW ones are gloss black molded plastic so don't chip. Recommend :thumbsup: I bought ones from eBay & the fit was terrible. Go OE
 
sammyz said:
I went with gloss black and have darkened the side vents to black using plasticote
2016-10-15_16-01-37_919.jpg
Click to expand...

DAY-UM, that looks amazing! I am inspired by that photo!

I will definitely do the same to my side vents. Did you mask and spray them in situ, or remove everything first?
 
Just to be awkward.... i wasn't keen on matte and didn't like the gloss, so I went satin black on mine. Matches the wheels as well (and the mirror bases, badges etc.). I think it's a case of choose a theme and stick to it - having matte and gloss black on the same car would clash IMHO.

D2536917-3DE7-41FB-BDE9-0674BCC14D6F_zps1srvgw8j.jpg


And yes, I know it's not an E89 before some pedant pops up..... :roll:
 
I masked the front end of the car and threw my car cover over it in case of any overspray and sprayed it on a still day. Easy stuff to use.
 
sammyz said:
I masked the front end of the car and threw my car cover over it in case of any overspray and sprayed it on a still day. Easy stuff to use.
Click to expand...


Excellent! Plastikote ordered, glossy black grills ordered, masking tape at the ready. I only hope it turns out half as nice as yours looks! I only wish the state of Maryland used those thin, long license plates like you guys use instead of cheap, stamped rectangular painted plates we seem to like, (mostly because they are made in prisons with free labor!)
Thanks again to you all for the help; even I can't screw this up! (Famous last words?)
 
Has anyone got gloss black grilles but still keeping the chrome surround ?

See pick in the link

http://www.globalautoshop.com/accessories/bmw_chrome_grill.htm

Ive only seen these grilles matte black with chrome surround

Suppose I could spray my own
 
I am preparing to install the new grilles I ordered, but found myself wondering if you guys spray paint the radiator black before installing the grille. My car is silver and with lighter colors behind the grille, the radiator is very evident. It would be much more effective with the radiator blacked out too.......can't imagine it would effect cooling......I hope!
 
Can't say I noticed on my silver car. Didn't touch the radiator, I'd be careful of trying to paint it, any additional paint could reduce cooling slightly.
 
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