DIY 01-02 accord VIP STYLE grill

[InspiredCG2]

Hi, I am fairly new to the 6thgenaccord community. I am shooting for a vip style theme for my accord. I have a custom grill that many of you have been asking about on instagram. Follow me @only1benbailey

Basically it is vinyl wrap. I felt a bit sketchy cutting up my bumper to retrofit a grill so here is my solution.
Materials needed:
vinyl wrap $10-$40 depending on texture and quality
knifeless tape or exacto knife: $10
heat gun $14 (blow drier is not recommended because it does not heat the vinyl hot enough to stretch)

It was inspired by the tl or inspire grill

Start off with tape to see the style desired

I did not place knifeless tape under the vinyl wrap before, so I used an exacto knife. Be careful and not cut the paint.

After a rough cut, heat up the vinyl and push it in the contours of the grill.

Finished Product

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2847/13531844983_5064af71f1_b.jpg

here are further links to help get the job done
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5o1lMjM0hA

 

[danmccormick87]

It looks really good! It does remind me of my old TL, but funny thing is, I painted mine all black to get rid of that look

 

[RedRyder]

Clean work. I think it would look a little better as something a little closer to chrome, but maybe that's not doable with vinyl.

Thanks for the DIY.

 

[cfox28]

^ so since I have the 02 bumper (non removable grill) i plasti dipped the center bar of the grill, as a cheap solution to achieving the after market look i wanted. after cleaning the area and 4 coats it came out pretty well. When you mentioned the closer to chrome look, it got me thinking:

could you use plasti dip to achieve this without the permanent consequence of messing up the bumper?

1: clean area
2:tape off area to be painted
3: white plasti dip on area
3a: light first coat
3b:3 more coats on top
4: figure out how to make super smooth (necessary for chrome look)
5: perhaps this is a sandable primer
5a: prime, and sand maybe twice
6:chrome spray paint 2 coats
7:clear coat 2 coats

anyone think this might work? I might give it a try

 

[danmccormick87]

The Plasti Dip won't hold paint, and as soon as you try to sand it any to get a rough surface to hold to, the PD will peal.

 

[Brad2274]

Clean work. I think it would look a little better as something a little closer to chrome, but maybe that's not doable with vinyl.

Thanks for the DIY.

could just use chrome vinyl

 

[Igor]

I've seen clear coat over plasti dip, it makes peeling really hard, but doable

 

[InspiredCG2]

Thank you everyone! Yeah chrome spray paint doesn't give the desired look. It will give you a shiny silver an once it dries it'll be dull. The chrome wrap actually looks chrome close up in person. And it is cheaper

 

[InspiredCG2]

It is a great idea to use chrome paint, but I've experimented with the dupli-color chrome and a black base coat before. I rather have a shop chrome dip than a diy spray. Also if you ever get tired of the chrome look, vinyl will come right off. I wouldn't mind seeing you try it though.

 

[Momentum]

Where did you get the vinyl?