C Class Coupe Grill Mod Wanted

[SmartMAC]

Original Grill looks like this:

I would like it to look like this:

Removal of the grill looks easy but I would like to also remove the silver bits so I can paint them in black (maybe not glossy, not sure). Is it possible to remove them or are they glued in to the chrome?

 

[brucemillar]

Not sure about removal. Have you considered vinyl wrap?

Sent from my iPhone using MBClub UK

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

Removal is two bolts and then pushing down on the grille for it to un-click, IIRC

There's a famous video online which a young Asian lad shows exactly how everything up front on a w204 comes off

I'm sure that 2nd grille can be purchased somewhere, sure I've seen it before

 

[SmartMAC]

I was thinking vinil wrap or plasti dip if my local paint shop comes too expensive. Either was I would like to get the silver bits out of the grill to do the best possible job.

 

[SmartMAC]

Went to MB and a new grill is £250 with the silver fins or the black ones so that was a non starter.
Went to my local body shop and they quoted me £100 to paint the fins glossy black.

After careful deliberation and an hour taking the grill apart, I was happy I didn't let the body shop do it as there are a gazillion of clips which need to come out in the correct order so not a job to do in a hurry.
After doing that and considering I not that happy with the glossy finish I would have got from the body shop, I decided to try the halfords equivalent to plasti dip. I thought for £10 is worth a go and if it doesn't come out wright, I can always peel it off.

4 hours later I was done. I thought I was going to make a mess but the reality is that it has come out perfect. No defects or problems. It looks smooth and the matt colour matches the rest of the grill perfectly.

Just curing ready to go on the car tomorrow morning.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B5r9CInajJxF2ERkWSL1DrAXOKOD733JJw/view?usp=drivesdk

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

Decent job

 

[SmartMAC]

More pics, they might be useful to anybody wanting to do the same thing. I completely took it apart to get the best possible result with the dip. If you are careful you, everything comes apart quite easily as you would expect from a quality motor

Taking everything apart:

Painting:

Final product:

On the car BEFORE:

On the car AFTER:

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

Can't see the pics there's an error icon on them. Although I'm on the iPhone app at the moment, will look on desktop later

 

[killwilly]

I'm on my laptop and can't see them either.

 

[SmartMAC]

I hope this works now. It previews fine on my laptop.

Taking everything apart:

Painting:

Final product:

On the car BEFORE:

On the car AFTER:

 

[alzieboy]

Looks Great , good work there

 

[nixy]

Bloody awsome! !!!

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

[SmartMAC]

The original silver one was peeling anyway and it has been annoying me since I first noticed it. I thought,f if I am going to change it, might as well do this and see how it goes. It actually looks better in person than it does in the pics. The car looks cleaner and a bit more aggressive.
The proof will be on the durability of the finish and weather it peels or get damaged with time. Other that this, it is an inexpensive thing to do and really easy if you have the patience and the time.

Another pic:

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

I like that, nicely done

 

[texterted]

That looks fantastic, nice one!

 

[Strange8]

Yeah, that looks much better! As you said, a bit more aggressive looking. Good job!

 

[Ronan1982]

Hi OP,

I changed my Original Coupe Grill when I bought the car as it had stone chips in the Chrome. It was just a like for Like with the Silver Slats.

Upon Reading in the Mercedes USA forums I came across this
First Picture is the Standard Grill, and Second is from Mercedes But is the Sports Grill? And the Owner purchased direct from Mercedes.

I will have to contact my friend in Mercedes to see if this is True or is it just a USA Mercedes Option.

Unless anyone can verify this?

Either way its the Grill you wanted, and one I would consider getting if it comes like this from Mercedes themselves.

If I get any details on parts numbers etc, I will post them up regarding the "SPORT" Grill.

Thanks

 

[Ronan1982]

Sorry Forgot to attach the pics

 

[SmartMAC]

They are both available from MB. Both the same price too. Around £250 IIRC.

 

[vijilants]

I decided to try the halfords equivalent to plasti dip. I thought for £10 is worth a go and if it doesn't come out wright, I can always peel it off.

Your grill looks really good ...well done

I'm looking to do nead enough the same to mine.

What was the name of the product ?