I need input from all my E30 brothers

[Digitalwave]

Well, this all came up after I tried debadging my car and some of the paint lifted. I don't have $240 to repaint the trunk so I am going to put a badge back on.

Anyways, I got to thinking about my options and I came up with the idea of painting my new 325i emblem black. I've never seen this done except for on a black 328i and it looked really nice on a black car but I'm not really sure how it'd look on my silver car. If I did this I would also black out my kidneys (I attached a Photoshop'd picture of how this would look). Even if it wouldn't look to spectacular I'd like to give it a shot... because it'd be something out of the ordinary. Down the road I might also do custom black or carbon roundels. I'd just like to know what everyone thinks about this and if I should go ahead and try it.

I ordered my BMP bumper filler today along with a new timing belt so I will install my Active Autowerke chip next weekend. Along with the chip I'm going to replace my air filter and remove the air box horn so my car should be breathing a lot nicer Once I get the bumper filler installed... and recieve my clear turn signals, my front end should look a lot cleaner (I've got clear side markers too). Now I just need an iS lip spoiler... but Christmas is coming soon... Oh and if any of you are looking for some clear side markers, there is a set on eBay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cg...ndexURL=0&rd=1

[dannyB]

I'm digging it.

I just bought an extra grill off ebay and will be painting it black this weekend. Could you tell me more about the blacked-out badge?

Make sure to do the chrome strip around the windows. That will complete the look.

[Digitalwave]

I'm heading to bed but I will post more info tomorrow. Did you ever see the pic I Photoshop'd for you of your car with charcoal rims? If you didn't I attached the image. Catch you tomorrow danny.

[Digitalwave]

Doh... I forgot to attach the original picture of the Photoshop'd black kidneys on my car...

[dannyB]

Yes - THANK YOU! I really appreciate it! Is it possible to get the wheels a little bit darker?

Whats your AIM screen name, Digital?

[BimmerSteven]

Though I'm not a fan of the blacked out kidney grill, the badge idea has potential. Have you tried it yet?

I say sand down the smooth finish and choose a flat black paint. To test fit the badge before deciding whether or not you like it (never know - it might look terrible) you can use some double-sided scotch tape or some other easy-to-remove adhesive. Can't wait to see it!

[Digitalwave]

danny, I just realized that the chrome grill you bought was my friend Keith's (lil bo e36 on DTM/thorlp on eBay). I did the listing for him. The grill is pretty good, its just got this barely noticable little knick on it but it didn't take the chrome off or anything. It'll be good for painting black. I've also attached a darker set of rims for you. The first time I didn't want to do it too black cause then you can't even see the rims very well. My AIM screen name is Supermac01.

About the badge though... I might take my car into the body shop and talk to the guy about going shadowline. I might go for a semi gloss black and not a flat black so it will match the black strip on my bumpers. I would paint them myself but I want him to paint my whole front grill also because its pretty faded... so it would all match.

Bimmersteven: I haven't done it yet but I have a feeling I'm going to do it next week or so. I'll post pictures when I do (or even if I do :)!

[Cone]

Any more info on places to get clear side markers? Those ones on e bay look pretty good, where did he get them?

[Digitalwave]

Update:
Went to the body shop today and asked them about going shadowline. He said he doesn't even touch chrome anymore because it will just chip down the road. How did you guys go about shadowlining your cars? He suggested getting the window trim powdercoated or anodized, but then I'm not sure if they can do that to the plastic grill and plastic 325i emblem. He also quoted me $35 to repaint my grill semi-gloss black and around $90 to paint me custom black roundels (thats a little out of my reach). I'm sort of bummed but I'm not going to give up. What do you guys suggest?

Cone: As for the clear side markers... I will get more info to you about them soon.

[dannyB]

Digital - Hit me up on AIM about the shadowline trim..."CollegeBimmer" I might be off-line for the next couple of days as I have a paper due on Friday.

Again, THANK YOU for that photoshop of the wheels. That is exactly what I wanted to see.

[BimmerSteven]

Originally posted by Digitalwave
Update:
Went to the body shop today and asked them about going shadowline.

Cool...

He said he doesn't even touch chrome anymore because it will just chip down the road. How did you guys go about
shadowlining your cars?

That's irrelevant because the trim is not chrome. It's not anywhere near chrome for that matter. This seems to be a major misconception and I don't understand how it's spread so much. The trim has a metal-like finish but isn't hard to work with - just time consuming. To do it yourself, I've heard of guys sanding down the trim to get a surface the paint can adhere to. Then, mask off everything anywhere near the trim. Get some black paint of your choosing (someone recommended Krylon BBQ Black which also has a high temperature rating and resistancy toward scratching, etc) and simply apply it in the manner of your choosing. Surely someone here has DIY shadowline trim. Alex Mc, don't you have firsthand experience with this?

He suggested getting the window trim powdercoated or anodized, but then I'm not sure if they can do that to the plastic grill and plastic 325i emblem.

I'm not very familiar with the anodizatin process but I do know that I've seen anodized finishes and I personally don't know if it would look "right" on the trim pieces. Isn't it often used to protect/adorn engine bay components of drag race cars? As for powdercoating, the whole process relies on charging the piece to be coated with electricity so that the powder is attracted to it - that doesn't work with plastic.

He also quoted me $35 to repaint my grill semi-gloss black and around $90 to paint me custom black roundels (thats a little out of my reach). I'm sort of bummed but I'm not going to give up. What do you guys suggest?

That all seems steep. Combined with his lack of knowledge regarding the trim (it is rather obvious up close that it's not chrome), I don't have much faith in whoever it is you're dealing with. Heck, for $35 I'd give it a shot on my own (edit: I'd try it on my own if I were you) - how hard can it be? I sanded/painted/etc my headlight rings, left & right grills. The trim idea is the same principle.

Hopefully someone with first-hand experience will chime in tomorrow because I would like to black-out the trim on my new E30 coupe.

[CleanAzzE30z]

My friend Hamik did it himself, it came out great. And I think the blacked out badge would look even better on your car than a black car.