Anyone know why there is such trouble getting a black optic grill......
01-11-2008, 08:35 AM
#1
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
Anyone know why there is such trouble getting a black optic grill......
Ordered one from ECS tuning and it has been on backorder for months. Isn't it part of the "titanium" package anyway? Why so hard to get? Should I just go to my dealer and ask for a Titanium, package grill?
01-11-2008, 01:59 PM
#5
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
Couple of reasons.....
1. It's a much larger and more awkward area to work on.
2. The durability becomes more of a factor on the front of the car. The sides are actually holding up fine even through all the winter muck up here, but even with all the proper prep, etc, I'm worried about the front end holding up so well.
I have thought about it though.
2. The durability becomes more of a factor on the front of the car. The sides are actually holding up fine even through all the winter muck up here, but even with all the proper prep, etc, I'm worried about the front end holding up so well.
I have thought about it though.
01-11-2008, 03:37 PM
#6
FWIW, I knew several people that painted their own B5 RS4 grilles and they didn't hold up well.
Something about the OEM paint process/prep seems to make them a lot more durable.
01-11-2008, 03:47 PM
#7
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
It can be done, but it need to be done properly.....
Proper prep with good sanding, no finger oil, an adhesion promoter, then several coats of primer, color and clearcoat. Finally, to get that real "hard" clear coat finish, the paint needs to be baked at 175-200 degrees for about 15 minutes. This would lead to a product that would hold up well. Nothing can ever duplicate the OEM process, due primarily to the baking. Actually, if I had an oven big enough to hold the OEM grill, I may have considered it, but without the baking, it is a waste of time.
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01-12-2008, 03:40 AM
#10
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
Yeah, i did think about that too. It can all be done......
But it's just a lot easier to get the black optic grill. i have done plenty of paint projects of various sorts and there are just so many places you can screw it up. Remember, every coat (of about 12 total) is an opportunity to screw up. if you are on that final coat and you get a run for instance, you have to go back to the beginning.
In the case of the clear bra, getting the film to properly sit at the turns at the corners of the grill might be tricky. Again...one wrong move and your paint could peel.
Like I said, it can be done, but I'm not certain it's worth the effort over getting the black optic which, as you correctly pointed out, is not a big dollar item anyway.
With my sidemarker project, I really had no other option and even if I did screw it up, it was such a small area that would need to be redone.
In the case of the clear bra, getting the film to properly sit at the turns at the corners of the grill might be tricky. Again...one wrong move and your paint could peel.
Like I said, it can be done, but I'm not certain it's worth the effort over getting the black optic which, as you correctly pointed out, is not a big dollar item anyway.
With my sidemarker project, I really had no other option and even if I did screw it up, it was such a small area that would need to be redone.
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