I have been eyeing the open mouth grilles for the MZ3 HB, but I shyed away either due to reported fitment issues, or expense (autoexe). So this past weekend, I decided to play around with my stock grille.

To remove the grille from the hood, it is 5 10mm nuts and 2 plastic clips. To release the clips, just squeeze the ponted end with pliers and they release easily.

Once the grille was off, I wiped off any dirt I missed during the car washing. I taped off the top bar and circular piece that holds the emblem using regular Scotch Painters Tape (Blue). Once this was done, the piece was ready for paint. I used black Plasti-Dip in the aerosol can. The first coat went on well and fairly heavy. However, after letting it dry, I applied a second coat for even greater thickness. This will help protect against chipping and, if I decide to remove it, will make it easier to peel off.

After the second coat dried, I used a sharp razor blade to trace the tape edge before it was removed. This allowed for nice sharp lines.

I also did the emblem. This is removed by releasing 4 clips from the backside of the grille. Use a small scredriver to release them.



I wish I could say this was an original idea, but I saw others with their grilles painted similarly on other forums, but I donot know if they are plasti-dip or not. I wasn't sure if I would like it, and am going to leave it for a while. Currently, I do like it. If I continue to like the look when the car is painted, I will have the grille painted similarly.

nice work! looks real clean. I've always been partial to a black grille. (it's a honda thing)

good job, i like it!
also on plasti-dipping, when i researched it a while back a lot of people said the more coats the better, (makes for a thicker skin) i did about 7-9 coats on my emblems, letting it dry 10-15 min in between...

Different, but good work.

Though on an somewhat separate note Plasti-dipping has gone crazy!! People are doing whole cars! With decent looking out comes.

Looks good!

Thanks guys. I noticed that others have painted the lower pice of the grill that is molded into the bumper, but I think it makes the opening look too big. It has really grown on me. Should have done more coats, but I haven't had any issues yet. It will just be a pain to retape if I do. The two coats seemed pretty thick, but that is relative to regular paint.

Not bad. makes the emblem "pop."

Operator wrote:Different, but good work.

Though on an somewhat separate note Plasti-dipping has gone crazy!! People are doing whole cars! With decent looking out comes.

whhhhaaaaaatttt?