De-chrome front grill by Beer Mod
 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
De-chrome front grill on a B5
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tools needed:
1) dremel with cutoff wheel
2) masking tape
3) small flathead screwdriver

First thing is to open the hood and get the grill eye level. Look close and you will see two small tabs (see pic #1 my fingers point to them) these are on each side. Once you have located them on each side get the masking tape out and cut four 5' strips. These strips will go on the paint (as marked by my fingers pic#1) as close to the grill as you can get them. I say four because they should be doubled up to better protect the paint from the dremel. This may seem scary but a good dremel has low speed 3,000rpm this is what I used. With the dremel set on low the doubled up tape allows some forgiveness so dont worry to much. Once you have cut both tabs on each side it's time to look at the grill from the back side. Take the flathead and push each tab working around the entire grill at this point the chrome strip should come free from the grill.

Once the grill is removed you have a few options a) wet sand the chrome just enough to rough it up for the primer OR b) clean the chrome very well and let dry (what I did)

The reason I chose B is because I wanted this mod to be reverseable if I ever want to go back to the chrome all I need is some paint thinner because I did'nt scuff the chrome by sanding it.

Now it's time to set up for paint. First find a way to hang the grill so that you can get to all sides (I used fishing line around the center tab on the back) Once it is secure you can add a light coat of primer(see pic #2 I chose grey). You will have to do this several times be sure you stay back 12' or more because it will streak. After the chrome is covered completly with primer let dry for 30min or so. Now it's time to paint(see pic #2 I chose satin black), this will be the same as the primer process just more coats. The paint will need to be left to dry 24hrs.

To re-install the grill simply pop it back in. Now from the back side I added a few small dabs of super glue to the tabs just to be sure the grill was not going to come off. This is how mine came out (see pic #3) the most important part is the prime/paint so take your time and stay back 12-18' when spraying....Goodluck

https://www.audiforums.com/upfiles/1...604FF395DA.jpg

https://www.audiforums.com/upfiles/1...0ECF2C7841.jpg

https://www.audiforums.com/upfiles/1...B5363D994B.jpg