I think Audi made this look popular some years ago, and I've seen it on a bunch of different cars now (Lexus to name one). I've seen this done really well on a 7th Gen Maximas with a blacked out grille and some plastidip. To pull it off, the upper grille, lower grille, and bumper paint need to be the same. It creates a nice effect if done properly. I was wondering if anyone has done this successfully, and what it looks like on a G37.

I've found a decent picture using google of a black grille, and did a little photoshopping to show what I mean. My skills do not allow me to match the color and reflective nature of the grille, so this is just for illustration purposes only.




Also, can someone tell me which bumper cover this is? My guess is that it's the coupe. I think it looks more aggressive and may take better to this blackout. At the very least, I think it looks better, and wouldn't mind swapping mine out for this style if I ever found it in my color at a good price. Would it simply bolt on to the 2011 G37x Sedan?

 

This is an interesting topic. I think audi and mercedes pull this off very well. I also think this is something that would look good on paper but would be hard to pull off in real life. Maybe someone with some really good photoshop skills can mock up a few different variations..

 

those are both coupe bumpers and unfortunately it's not a simple swap. You'd have to change out your fenders, headlights, and a bunch of other parts i'm sure to make the swap.

You can swap the sport front bumper on as just a bolt on. It'd look like mine below (I've got the sport lip as well):

IMG_1989 by BLamb!!, on Flickr


My opinion on the blackout is leave that styling on the cars that were designed for it. But it honestly wouldn't be that hard to test out with a can of plastidip or a sheet of vinyl and about 30 mins of your time. Who knows you might like it.

 

Doesn't work for me as shown. There needs to be some kind of contour on the bumper to contain or "frame" the black. Just superimposing it on top of the bumper as it is looks unfinished, or makeshift. Hope this makes sense.............

 

Hope this help, here's what some of us did to our front bumper, hope it help and go from there and if you ever plastidip under the grill post some pics pls

 

Looks good on the TL but I agree with solidsilver that this look really needs to be incorporated with the original design. Otherwise it looks forced and doesn't really match the rest of the design elements.

 

Looks a lot like the Lexus IS bumpers. Not a big fan of it, but it would be what YOU like not what the forum likes.

 

I was hoping someone had done it so I could see it on a G37. I'd have to plastidip both upper and lower grilles, then tape off the bumper and do that too so that the black matched.

The more I look at the bumper, the more think it won't look right. Our bumpers have an outward slope angle. It's always going to be reflecting light from above and will be shinier than the lower grille. I think for this to work, the bumper needs to be vertical or angled inward.

 

Agreed, the former pretty much explains the latter.

You would be attempting to create artificial body lines a vinyl sheet or spray on plastic, just doesn't seem to be heading in the right direction, aesthetically speaking.

That said, never seen it done either, and although I have my expectations, wouldn't completely write it off until seeing it done

 

I did this to mine when I added the lip

 

I must say, that does look good, have to wait to do a bumper conversion and I'm set lol.

 

Yes, it does look really good.

 

I agree. Making the grille look bigger than it actually is just by painting black between two grilles is like someone with a 15" hupcap spinners. If you really want a big grille...do the real conversion like I did. Only cost me $20k...

 

You paid $20K for some photoshop?

I like the way that looks. It would be cool to see it on a car.

 

Is that the 09? and for 2k that's not bad how much did you pay for the install if I may?
now you should put the switchback light they look nice.