X5M/X6M Gloss Black Grille/Gills Wrap - DIY

[Defib]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

Anyone else tried wrapping?

Just did mine. Looks great. Great idea!

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by Defib

Just did mine. Looks great. Great idea!

Black on black looks menacing.

[JNoSol]

Update. The wrap is still holding strong, held up car washes and below freezing temps.

[MacOSR]

I've been inspired...thank you for sharing your pics. I just ordered the 3M Carbon wrap for a project over Christmas break. I'll share pics once everything comes in.

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by MacOSR

I've been inspired...thank you for sharing your pics. I just ordered the 3M Carbon wrap for a project over Christmas break. I'll share pics once everything comes in.

Awesome. Can't wait to see the result.

[MacOSR]

Carbon wrap is completed!

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by MacOSR

Carbon wrap is completed!

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Nice work

[Roundown]

OP- do you it's possible to replicate the 'black chrome' look by using a tinted, translucent vinyl?

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by cSurf

OP- do you it's possible to replicate the 'black chrome' look by using a tinted, translucent vinyl?

Possible, maybe a light smoked tint vinyl.

[AlexLou1222]

You guys are so good at DIY, but my skill sucks I know I will mess it up pretty good :c

[jcfay]

Originally Posted by AlexLou1222

You guys are so good at DIY, but my skill sucks I know I will mess it up pretty good :c

I think you'd be surprised how easy it is. Just get some good 3M wrap, a decent squeegee, and get some extra wrap. A heat gun (cheap one is fine) can also help. This job is probably one of the easier ones, just take your time and watch a couple wrapping vids on youtube as well. It looks great and is super affordable.

[jcfay]

Originally Posted by Defib

Just did mine. Looks great. Great idea!

what color is your car (carbon or sapphire)? did you use satin or full gloss wrap? Looks great

[JNoSol]

Bump. Save your money, wrap it.

[Travis1807]

Originally Posted by MacOSR

Carbon wrap is completed!

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well done, looks great!

[musa]

Originally Posted by MacOSR

Carbon wrap is completed!

Attachment 1336914

Attachment 1336915

Attachment 1336917

Awesome! I need to do this!

[M302_imola]

Great thread! You guys make vinyl look so easy!

Anyone had luck using plastidip on the kidney grill? I'm wondering how it would hold up over time.

[khcwang]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

Guys... I'm not a cheap ass by all means, but I can't justify $440 for a set of plastic grilles. After reading a DIY thread, I was inspired to wrap my grille surround.

You can do it yourself too, very easy. Just a bit tedious and patience.

Tools Needed: T-27, ratchet, 2 flat head screw drivers, heat gun, exacto knife, and 2 working thumbs (you can use felt squeegee, optional).

Materials: http://www.amazon.com/3M-GLOSS-Black.../dp/B007EEU58W

Time: 1.5-2.5hrs.

Step 1: Removing the grilles from the car - Move rubber gasket from top of the bumper (don't remove it, just move it so you can access the 5 screws), which covers 5x T-27 screws. Remove the screws. Lift the top of the bumper out of the 3 guides, then pull slightly. Each grilles have 2 taps on top, 2 tabs on side, and 2 tabs on the bottom. Pop the tabs on top and side of each grille first with screw driver. Then access the 2 bottom ones on each grilles by pulling the bumper out from top and reach down. Use your fingers to feel the tabs then pop them out. It may take a couple tries, wear long sleeves or your arms will be scratched up.

Step 2: Separate the chrome from the black pieces. Just observe all tabs, use a crew driver to pop them out. Start with the top and side ones, the bottoms will come out when the top tabs are loosened. Just a tiny bit of force to pry them apart. Try not to break these fragile clips. (you can watch how the M3/M4 guys replace their grille surround, same concept)

Step 3: Wrap - cut a vinyl piece 1-2" larger than the grilles. Once the vinyl is peeled, lay flat with sticky side up on a clean surface. Carefully place the chrome side of the grille surround on the vinyl. Use your fingers and heat gun to work the vinyl on top and outer of the grilles until it's smooth. Next, use the H-shape technique as the vid in the below reference thread. Once you've reached the edge, start trimming using your finger as a guide to have a nice trim (you can't see the trimming work if it's not as pretty.

Step 4: Snaps the grilles slats and surrounds together, then snap the back into the car. Re-install the screws and rubber weather gasket. Total time for me was 1.5hrs.

Step 5: Enjoy your work. Post here if you have questions...

Tips: Work the vinyl with both of your thumbs, 1 inch at a time to ensure it's smooth. Only heat 1 sec at a time. Don't cut until the outside and inside reached the edge with no or little kinks. Watch the vid and tricks in the threads below before starting.

I'll work on the side gilles next time, which requires heating and removing the X5M emblems. Same concept, slightly easier.

I hope you "appreciate" this thread.

Inspired by: http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=986632
Thanks pablobaq

Hello,

I just tried to remove the front grilles from my X5M but cannot figure out a way to remove the 3 bottom clips. In your post, you stated "Then access the 2 bottom ones on each grilles by pulling the bumper out from top and reach down." What do you mean by pulling the bumper out from top?

I really need help here. Thank you very much.

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by khcwang

Hello,

I just tried to remove the front grilles from my X5M but cannot figure out a way to remove the 3 bottom clips. In your post, you stated "Then access the 2 bottom ones on each grilles by pulling the bumper out from top and reach down." What do you mean by pulling the bumper out from top?

I really need help here. Thank you very much.

Sorry for the late response. Once the top screws are loosen, you can pull the bumper out enough to reach from the top to unclip the bottom clips.

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by M302_imola

Great thread! You guys make vinyl look so easy!

Anyone had luck using plastidip on the kidney grill? I'm wondering how it would hold up over time.

Don't waste your time. Plastidip flakes off on fake chrome surfaces. Wrapping is pretty easy nowadays since most wrap brands will have built-in channels to relieve air bubbles.

[M302_imola]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

Don't waste your time. Plastidip flakes off on fake chrome surfaces. Wrapping is pretty easy nowadays since most wrap brands will have built-in channels to relieve air bubbles.

Thanks, I decided against going the plasti route.

[scardenast8]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

Vote - WRAP bumper center gloss black: YES or NO?

good color I had white now satin red



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