Black out front grill

[Tutteron]

Ozie,
Did you take the grills out so you could fold the vinyl under them, or just trim to them?
I had a look and it is a bugger to get to the screws on the top grill without removing all the plastic covers under the bonnet. The bottom gril is a little easier to get to.

[Phoenix]

yes, take it out, makes things easier.

[Tutteron]

Thanks Phoenix,

I agree, in making it easier, but will just take longer. At least by folding under the grills, it will stop the vinyl from lifting. The only thing which has to be done for neatness is make a template out of clear plastic and mark the lines for the sides, as the vinyl I got was s stone chip proof one and is hard to cut. Plus you don't want to cut on the bumper.

[Phoenix]

that would be the most effective way, otherwise any gaps would get penetrated by rain water moisture eventually over time...

i dont have the vinyl though... i had my whole middle panel airbrushed, all the way to the bottom.

[spunkybob]

he....he.... you said penetrated...








Yep still spamming myself to 100 posts

[Vmo91]

yea that would be awesome to make a how to. i've been going crazy tho trying to find vinyl in town, i guess i'm going to have to order it online

[Ozie]

yea that would be awesome to make a how to. i've been going crazy tho trying to find vinyl in town, i guess i'm going to have to order it online

bro just look up your local signwriter they should be able to hook you up with some vinyl..
i will do a how to soon and post it..

[Tutteron]

Balmain signs in Gladesville is where I got my heavy duty stone chip proof vinyl from. Just need time to fit it though.

Any sign writers shop will have the suff.

[Phoenix]

I remember asking Signarama, they wanted about $160 for it. thick vinyl, flat black, heated onto the panel, which allows it to curve at the bottom. this is for the whole thing though, if its just the middle, would be way cheaper...

if you had it sanded and painted professionally, you're looking at $150 - $230, unless you have a friend that has a shop

again, middle part alone will be alot cheaper, since there are no bends.

[Ozie]

OK,
we have a New, HOW TO - Vinyl your Front Bumper Black
i just posted it... http://clubcj.net/viewtopic.php?p=4848#4848

[Bandit]

Ozie, I notice that you haven't used a separate piece of vinyl around the tow hook cover - did you not do it cos it was too hard or was it to make your bumper look more flush? If my mrs lets me do the vinyl, I think i will use a separate piece and heat it to get the curves as I actually don't mind the 'utilitarian' nature of the tow hook cover and wouldnt mind if it stood out a bit more.

[Ozie]

Ozie, I notice that you haven't used a separate piece of vinyl around the tow hook cover - did you not do it cos it was too hard or was it to make your bumper look more flush? If my mrs lets me do the vinyl, I think i will use a separate piece and heat it to get the curves as I actually don't mind the 'utilitarian' nature of the tow hook cover and wouldnt mind if it stood out a bit more.

yes buddy it's a separate piece, check out my how to....

How To - Vinyl Your Front Bumper Black.

Use: Automotive Grade Black Matte Vinyl.
Tools: Utility Knife, Sqweegy/Credit Card, Pin & a Polishing Cloth

1/. Wash the Front of the Grill and Bumper very well, clean and totally dry all around with a polishing cloth,
make sure it is completely dry and clean before you start.

2/. Remove the Number Plate and the 2 small metal square mounts, that hold the plate to the bumper.
yes there will be holes in the bumper + the round tow hook, the vinyl will cover these all up nice...so don't worry,
later on you can trim around the round tow hook, just cut a circle of vinyl to recover that round hole,
making sure that circle has a 4ml overhang for best results.

3/. You need to take the top of your Snorkel housing off along the top front of the engine bay-
(there are 4 plastic screws to remove), to get behind the grill.
Then with a flat head screwdriver lever and open the clip out, to get it off.
these clips are tough and require a bit of force, but be careful not to scratch anything.

4/. The Vinyl needs to have a 1.5cm overhang all around.
Hold it up to the bumper and make sure it has the over hang before you start, make sure it's Square and Straight.
Start at the top right corner remembering to leave the overhang checking that its square,
apply it to the corner of the top, start peeling slowly and a little at a time.
Using a credit card or rubber sqweegy, smooth it out , do a little at a time,
you can lift up the vinyl to remove air bubbles as you go...thats why you just sqweegy then peel, little bits at a time!
working from the top right corner spreading it out and down to the left.
this method of lifting should eliminate all air bubbles, but if you find any after,
you can always pop them with a pin and force the air out so it goes smooth.

5/. Once you have secured the Vinyl, the overhang can be trimmed on the sides into the corners with a sharp utility knife,
you can leave the edges not completely stuck down to trim without damaging your paint work,
place something flat behind to trim on, then remove and stick down the sides.
Then the top and bottom overhangs gets tucked into the top and bottom parts of the grill.

6/. Re-Secure your Number Plate, being careful with the plate mounts on the new vinyl.
Also i moved my plate to the bottom right corner of the grill,
the bottom of the plate is tucked into the corner and it is held on by industrial cable ties-
its a bit fiddly tying and tightening the cable ties up,
make sure the heads of the cable ties sit behind the grill so you can't see them, then pull and tighten them up good.

In this photo you can see the small black vinyl squares i stuck on, where the number plate used to be...
i done this for a bit more strength over the holes. + the circle for the tow hook.
you need this circle to be separate peice of vinyl, so if you need to, you can get to your tow hook quick, without damaging the vinyl,
trim around the circle do not remove the circle,
leave it & just stick the temp circle over the top of it allowing for the 4ml over hang around the circle to cover where you just cut..

& this is a close up, see how the plate tucks into the bottom right corner and is held with ties..
and you can see where to trim the vinyl on the sides and tuck the vinyl into the grill top and bottom.


I hope this helps everyone if you need anymore help or tips just PM me..

[Vmo91]

where are the screws located on the top grill to remove for vinyl out the girl?

[Ozie]

along the the top their are 4 plastic phillips head screws
2 along the left and 2 that are at the front of the snorkel.
you can't miss them...lol.

[Vmo91]

i am serious still lost lol, i got a gts cvt, i can't find them ha[/scroll]