Hey guys,

The grill on my '03 Z has faded in the sun somewhat. I would like to paint it or plasti-dip it, but as I understand removing the black slits is absurdly difficult. What's the best way to go about repainting them? I'm concerned about overspraying into whatever engine components lie beneath the grill.

Thanks!

 

Removing the plastic slits isn't possible if you want to re-install them. To remove them, they must be cut out.

I would think you could slip a large piece of cardboard in front of your radiator to prevent paint from getting on the radiator. It shouldn't be too difficult to mask off the area around the grill and then just spray away.

 

For those interested...I plasti-dipped my grill today. I did 3 coats about 20 minutes apart. Taking the tape off sort of ruined the edge, so I may retape and hit it one more time. The job looks fine 15 feet away, but up close you can tell the edge is pretty messy. I think I will use a box cutter to slice an even edge for aesthetics. The can cost me $6 and was worth every penny. KornerCarver's idea of using a piece of cardboard was a great thought - I cut up a box and jammed it down the bumper to prevent overspray. Cheers Korner!

Here's a pic:

 

Need to unmask before fully dry

 

I was considering doing this myself... Has anyone painted the front lip under the grill as well yet? I find myself wondering what that would look like....

 

Not Plastiidip but here is a picture of the front of my Z.

 

Please dont do plasti-dip, paint it or get someone to paint it, plasti-dip looks like ****

 

+1.

 

Please do plasti-dip, don't paint it or get someone to paint it, plasti-dip looks like heaven

 

 

You should do it and post pics. In the 10 years that the 350z has been out, you will be the first.

 

I don't understand why you would spray black plasti-dip on an already black grill?

 

Nice lookin' Z!