BLamb

iTrader: (1)

My G's been getting a lot of love lately, 3 weekends ago I installed the OEM front lip and rear deck lid spoiler. The next weekend I vinyl wrapped the grille in Metallic black 3M vinyl. This weekend was a full detail interior, exterior, and wax.

As promised I'm starting a thread on the results for the Vinyl wrapped grille. Overall it came out pretty decent, but not perfect. This was my first attempt, never used Vinyl before and didn't do a practice section. The edges on one side are less than perfect, but not bad, got down a good method for the second side though. I got 2 small creases in the vinyl on top of the slat below the Infiniti logo. They're mostly hidden unless you know where to look, which of course I do, so I'll probably redo this in a year or so when it starts looking worse for wear.

The metallic black vinyl is a perfect match for the OEM midnight grille. It really looks great in person and reflects the light well. I also highly recommend autovinylsolutions, they have great customer service and an excellent selection. I also highly recommend picking up their felt tip squeegee for application. Made stretching the vinyl evenly much easier.

I'd like to thank Blnewt for his tips/tricks on wrapping the grille, they really helped out a Vinyl noob like me. Since he did a nice job writing it up I'll post his PM to me below:

"Here's what I can recommend regarding your grill wrap. Go ahead and remove grill & remove Infiniti logo from grill, it should just be a snap on, clean w/ soap & water, dry it well then do a final cleaning with rubbing alcohol. Put grill back on car with just a couple nuts holding it down. Put vinyl on grill and moving from top to bottom and just lightly tack vinyl to the outer frame and all the flat sections in the front of grill, don't do any pushing between slats, just get a good wrinkle free tack on all the front edges and outer flat frame, don't press vinyl outside the grill, you want to be able to remove it from the bumper easily. Once you're happy w/ the placement, remove grill and place on a good working table or bench. try to keep force from those plastic mounting tabs, they're a bit fragile. If you need to put a towel or foam underneath to protect them it's a good idea. Not sure about the 2010+ grills but if you have some slats that have a narrower opening you want to start with them first. I always work from top to bottom, but if the narrowest slat opening are in the middle start there and work outward. You want to start w/ the narrower ones first because those are the easiest to stretch the vinyl in between the openings.

What you want to do is get a hair dryer and heat the vinyl between the slats and run your fingertips in the valley pushing as you go so you get enough stretch to cover the whole upper visible edge of each slat. You'll trim the vinyl about 1/8" on the bottom side of each slat that you'll be wrapping underneath the remaining vinyl will be covering the upper visible inside of each slat. You will need to be aggressive w/ the heat to get enough vinyl stretched to cover the visible slat. As far as the ends go the 2010s are different so I can't really give you much help except to pull the ends tightly and heat to shrink. It might be a good idea to just try a sample 2" strip along one grill slat prior to doing any of the above just to see what works best to wrap the ends. Sounds like you've got enough vinyl to test a bit.
That's the basics, once you get it all done you'll want to edge seal all the edges. Just heat the edges that you wrap under and go along the edge w/ your finger pressing the vinyl tightly to seal, do this for all the flat edges along the back top of the slats as well. Prior to this you want to trim everything up so there's no excess vinyl, then seal everything up. Having the grill off will allow you to trim and seal from front & back. You also want to wrap your vinyl along the top, bottom & sides that go into the bumper so you'll have 100% coverage on the sides too."

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42359849@N04/8506242192/" title="IMG_1972 by BLamb!!, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8234/8506242192_cc0a95772e_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="IMG_1972"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42359849@N04/8506239610/" title="IMG_1974 by BLamb!!, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8380/8506239610_6b8dab40f1_b.jpg" width="683" height="1024" alt="IMG_1974"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42359849@N04/8506235540/" title="IMG_1985 by BLamb!!, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8092/8506235540_41c50a2047_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="IMG_1985"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42359849@N04/8505113479/" title="IMG_2004 by BLamb!!, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8519/8505113479_0fdde5cee5_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="IMG_2004"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42359849@N04/8505128459/" title="IMG_1983 by BLamb!!, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8392/8505128459_21867f91a8_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="IMG_1983"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42359849@N04/8505124321/" title="IMG_1989 by BLamb!!, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8106/8505124321_c2ffd5319e_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="IMG_1989"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42359849@N04/8506244752/" title="IMG_2008 by BLamb!!, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8089/8506244752_0b9d479157_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="IMG_2008"></a>

mathnerd88

iTrader: (1)

That grille looks sick!

blnewt

iTrader: (13)

Very nice work, looks like you'll be giving me grill wrapping tips if I upgrade to a 2010+ G.
Like the look of the metallic black wrap that you used, gives it even extra shine.
Your Front & rear spoilers really complete the look, just a big thumbs-up all around!

BLamb

iTrader: (1)

Thanks guys, I'm really happy with the way it all came together. I actually managed to use the undamaged portion of the first batch of vinyl I received on this attempt (in case I messed it up). I intended to just practice with it, but I ran out of time Sunday evening and it turned out pretty well so I just kept going. The vinyl was a lot easier to work with than I thought it'd be. If I hadn't gotten those 2 creases and a rough corner on one side I'd be 100% satisfied. Honestly though I'm just being a perfectionist and I don't think anyone but me would be able to point them out unless you have your face 1 foot from the grille.

I posted up the close up high resolution shots because it seems like everyone was always asking for close ups on these types of projects. Even though I used my DSLR and got good shots, I have to admit the pictures actually look slightly better than it does in person. If you catch the light exactly right and move your head back and forth you can see some stretch marks on the vinyl. I didn't over stretch it, I think the metallic flake in the vinyl just happens to show it off a little better since some portions have a slightly higher concentration of flake vs where it was stretched. Still I really like the black metallic, it keeps the shine on the grille, almost looks like black chrome in some lighting. Not a bad mod for $18 and about 3 hours of time (I think I could do it in about an hour and a half this time around now that I know how to pull the grille and how the vinyl works.

Thanks again for your help Blnewt!

Rochester

iTrader: (8)

Been studying these pictures, and it looks really fine. Although I relate to what you're saying about the camera being more forgiving. And it's not exactly the Midnight Grille, is it? I believe the OEM Midnight grill is painted to the crease on the sides and the bottom, whereas you only wrapped the 4 slats.

But you know... I think I almost prefer your look. Need to think about this some more. It certainly seems a reasonable $20 experiment.

Good to know that metallic flake wrap will distort when stretched. Makes sense.

sniper27

iTrader: (2)

mine is actually wrapped around the crease and the bottom. either way, it looks way better than the OEM chrome.

BLamb

iTrader: (1)

Thanks, I didn't even notice that haha. You're right on the OEM midnight grille they wrap the bottom par and the sides that go up to make the U shape. When I was doing it I wasn't even thinking about that bottom part as a slat. I had a shipping mishap with the first piece of vinyl and the top 4" of the sheet was damaged. I wanted to practice so I used that sheet and just moved the damaged portion up so I could cut it off and wrapped it that way. (Autovinylsolutions sent me a new one out right away, so I've got another sheet to re-do later if I choose, great customer service). It turned out well enough I just kept it and decided to try it out and see if I liked it.

Looking at it again I think I prefer it this way as well since it looks more even, I like the 4 slats vs 5 and how the bottom slat is different with the upturned U shape. Completely accidental though haha. I feel like it'd be hard to get a nice clean straight cut on that bottom slat. It's not open like the others where you can tuck the ends, you'd have to get an xacto knife and cut very smoothly and carefully to get it to come out right and not jagged. Also you'd likely end up scoring the chrome under the vinyl, making going back to chrome if you choose a less attractive option. I'm sure a very careful steady hand could pull it off, but it'd be tricky.



Here's a shot from eye level:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42359849@N04/8505121631/" title="IMG_1992 by BLamb!!, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8511/8505121631_ce205e57fe_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="IMG_1992"></a>

Rochester

iTrader: (8)

Well now that you know the difference, you can consider it a unique look. And that's not a bad thing at all.

Ever since buying the car, I've been planning on a Midnight Grille mod from one of the local body shops. I may just order some wrap and play, like you and Sniper here. Either way, your efforts and your thread have given me two valuable insights:

1. I really do prefer the metallic black, over gloss, body-color or flat black.
2. Just painting/wrapping the 4 slats, instead of mimicking the OEM Midnight Grille, is a pretty good and unique look.

Thanks for the thread and the pics, BLamb.

Oh, and look at you, stud-parking in your own driveway! LOL

MS64MEE

Nice work. My grill is kinda beat up with rock chips and been considering my options. Originally thought I might repaint it but after seeing your handiwork, vinyl looks like a nice alternative. It would be similar time commitment and easier to redo /undo if needed.

blnewt

iTrader: (13)

You've got me thinking about going w/ this metallic black wrap when I do a re-do on my grill. The carbon wrap must have a different composition than the regular 3M Scotchprint as it was hit w/ a rock and rather than a ding it actually cracked a bit and chipped out, like it's become somewhat brittle All my other vinyl projects w/ regular vinyl I've had no issues like this.

I'm really liking that shine of the metallic and think it might have just enough contrast to the regular Obsidian factory paint that the look would be pretty nice. I might even use it for my front spoiler when I install my new bumper since it looks really dinged and pitted, kind of like a black "unclear-bra" for my spoiler

BLamb

iTrader: (1)

AVS has it for $10 for a 1x5ft section, $6 less than I paid for it 2 weeks ago, not sure if it's a sale or they lowered their price. But might grab a sheet if you're thinking of doing it.
3M

I really like the gloss black metallic, the metallic flake looks exactly like the flake on my graphite shadow, definitely looks more "high end" than a regular gloss or flat black.

That's disappointing to hear about the carbon fiber wrap, was it the "textured" one where it's supposed to simulate the weave? I debated doing the CF after looking at yours, but decided on the black metallic to mimic the OEM midnight grille.

In theory I get where you're headed with the spoiler being metallic black, but I'd worry it'd just look like a poor paint match part on the obsidian factory color. If you pick up a sheet, you'd be able to tell easily by holding it up next to the bumper and deciding if the contrast looks nice. I like blacked out cars, but I feel like you loose a lot of the "detail" of the car due to the monochromatic theme, so the contrast may be a good thing!

BLamb

iTrader: (1)

No problem, glad I could help. The nice thing about this mod is if you screw it up, rip it off, throw it away and start over and you only lost $14.

Gotta show off those duck feet like a G!

Thanks, I'd highly recommend giving it a shot before paint. The vinyl was surprisingly easy to work with, just take your time and be patient and it'll come out nice. Make sure you have a sharp Xacto knife and a hair dryer and you're good to go. There's a DIY grille removal post on the forums as well, if you've never done that before it can be a little tricky the first time.

blnewt

iTrader: (13)

Luckily the spoiler is so low on the bumper that a slight difference wouldn't be a big problem, I'll have just about enough left after the grill that I might give it a shot, and the beauty of it all is no likey, just peel it off and move on
Thanks for the heads-up on the price right now, I'll jump on it

Oh, and yep, the textured weave of the carbon wrap is probably what contributed to the brittle nature. The car is garaged and rarely just bakes in the sun so their must be a difference between the vinyls.

Have you thought about any other vinyl projects?

MalbecG37S

Looks fantastic! If you were just a little closer, I'd ask for some help doing mine! Definitely a nice look....congrats on the great job...

BLamb

iTrader: (1)

Awesome, you'll have to post up your results on the 09 style grille. Hope it turns out great.

I was debating trying to do something with carbon fiber vinyl on the oem front lip, but I haven't figured out a way to do it that would look good and after hearing your experience I'm even more hesitant. I've also thought about wrapping the rear valence in matte black. Considered making cut outs to cover the "web" of the duck feet and make them look more like spokes kinda like this: (I think I stole one of Rochester's pics and edited in paint haha)
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42359849@N04/6849179440/" title="plastidip by BLamb!!, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7241/6849179440_8f67f39e23.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="plastidip"></a>

but more than likely I'm done for a bit, I'm buying a home, getting married, planning a honeymoon, so my G will have to wait a while before mod funds and time to play with it return. I'll probably change it up in another year just to keep me from getting bored though.

Thanks, appreciate the compliments! I'd recommend giving it a shot, hardest part is honestly removing the grille for the first time. Then just be patient and work slowly stretching the vinyl. It's a nice cheap, relatively risk free and reversible mod. PM me or Blnewt if you have any questions or need help and I'd be happy to help.