[SpecC]

I've read that painting the E90 kiddney grills yourself isn't worth it because you'd have to repaint after a few months or at the most, a year. So the safe way to go is to buy them online. Where's the best place to get the black kidney grills and has anyone has success painting them at all?

Also I'm looking to get blacked out window trim too. Is it okay to paint that or would it be a better idea to buy new ones and where would I go to get black ones?

[KL2DC]

For black grilles I'd try a local friendly swap with an interested 325i/328i owner.

You could also swap out the window trims but the chrome lower door trims (4pcs total) won't survive the swap out and you will require new ones. The black trims are sturdier.

Check out bavarian19's DIY: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8069

edit: listed part numbers on the list are for the chrome pieces. Check out realoem.com then. GL.

[Chesmu]

i paintedmy window trim three mos ago, and it needs some touch-up as well. The black trim is prohibitively expensive for me right now.

[gary328xi]

Try this website http://carpartsdiscount.zoovy.com/ca...s.bmw.grilles/

[Chesmu]

LOL that's more expensive than a lot of other places...

[mds82]

painting the grills is a pain because it does chip off

You can always put on a clear coat over the black paint and that will help a lot

If you want a matt or flatt finish though, clearcoating wont be a good idea because that is shiny

[SpecC]

Thanks for the help and the sites. I guess I won't be painting anything anytime soon haha. All I wanted was to look for a cheap mod aside from lights too! That's a real shame now

[Arby 330]

i just purchased black grills, the m kit (painting rear defuser black), and black and white bmw emblems. I have 5% tint all around with 30% on the winshiled. im going for the blackout and it will be complete with some black window trim. Im wondering where the best place to get that is... should i just go to the bmw parts dept and have them do it? Does anyone have an estimate on the cost?

arby

[SpecC]

for window trim, you can trade a 325 owner for their black plastic with yoru chrome but you have to buy new sill trim which is at www.realoem.com. doesn't sound too bad, but the installing process doesn't sound that fun

[acizek]

I have a black window trim on my wife's 320d, happy to change with someone for chrome!

[shragon]

when i had my e34, i did the painted grill thing. to get the paint to properly stick to the grill, you really need to do a good job sanding the chrome, use adhesion promoter, and many layers of paint and clear. that said, they held up pretty well, but eventually chipped. i eventually gave in and got some black plastic replacement grills.

your best bet it to buy a set of replacement grills. make sure the grills are made from black plastic and not painted. see this post: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47622

for the black window trim, depends what you want. maybe swap with another 325i owner that wants chrome trim. or you can do the paint route and that way you get flat, matte, or glossy. i also painted the chrome window trim on my e34 and it held up really well. there were a couple chips, but a little touch up fixed that. just make sure you prepare the surface really well before priming and painting.

[Chesmu]

Originally Posted by acizek

I have a black window trim on my wife's 320d, happy to change with someone for chrome!

you can't swap for the chrome. Taking the chrome trim off ruins it. You can place used black trim on your car, but new chrom trim is required. Look at Bavarian19s DIY for details.