[TripleOught]

hey hey, has anyone had their louver grill painted before to match the car? i've been calling a few places and they all want to see what they are up against. caddy doesn't put a powder coat on it do they? if anyone has had it done i was wondering about price so i don't get ripped....also, any concerns that may come up...

should i just wait until i can order a body colored from the '06 models? what about painting the mesh v grill?

 

[Slywun]

A few people have had their V-grills (the mesh wire) powder coated, and it looks pretty good IMO.

 

[TripleOught]

any idea what that runs to do the small piece? couple hundie? 1-2?

 

[Slywun]

Depends on the prep required (new vs. old), the coating selected (color/finish-gloss/flat) and the condition of the object. I had some valve covers powder coated in a gunmetal and it was under $200 - I seem to recall the gunmetal being a little more expensive. Also if you stick with the stock grille, not all powder coating places are setup to powder coat plastic.

 

[pjohnesq]

hey hey, has anyone had their louver grill painted before to match the car? i've been calling a few places and they all want to see what they are up against. caddy doesn't put a powder coat on it do they? if anyone has had it done i was wondering about price so i don't get ripped....also, any concerns that may come up...

should i just wait until i can order a body colored from the '06 models? what about painting the mesh v grill?

RobertCTS has a black body colored painted stock grill...couple of others did it too, DubbedStealth, and others...send them a PM...

 

[RobertCTS]

Price varies with body shops. I bought an extra grill on Ebay and took it into the body shop to be painted at their leisure. That makes it easier and cheaper. Changing the grill out is easy. Usually $150 to $200. I have an extra grill if your interested. Here's a pic of the results.

 

[odysseus]

I also got a used grill from EBay for under $50 and had it painted before hand. I had mine painted at the same time as my front bumper and side skirts. The total ran $1100 for paint and install (yes it sounds steep). Painting is cheapest and best for plastic. I'd reserve powedercoat for metal, since they have to bake it at something like 350 degrees F.

Here is mine in Blue Onyx.

 

[RobertCTS]

I also got a used grill from EBay for under $50 and had it painted before hand. I had mine painted at the same time as my front bumper and side skirts. The total ran $1100 for paint and install (yes it sounds steep). Painting is cheapest and best for plastic. I'd reserve powedercoat for metal, since they have to bake it at something like 350 degrees F.

Here is mine in Blue Onyx.

Ody,
That link said you exceeded your limit. No pic.

 

[DDS rollin a CTS]

Ody,
That link said you exceeded your limit. No pic.

The only solution I can see would be for all of us to constantly click the link until it comes back up!:lildevil:

 

[TripleOught]

i can see the link. i'm going to stop by some places so see what they will charge me for it (because they all want to see what they are up against)...i take it i'll just paint the plastic grill, not powder coat it. hopefully it won't get too chipped up...

i also though about getting the v-mesh, and the lower metal weave for my car, then having them both powder coated to the white diamond. not sure anyone has done that yet...what do you think? i'm really not worried about the price as long as it's a good job. just looking for something unique. suggestions? (without adding the v-skirts)

**edit...also, those with a spare grill...what are we talkin here for a price? PM me when you get a chance...

 

[RobertCTS]

i can see the link. i'm going to stop by some places so see what they will charge me for it (because they all want to see what they are up against)...i take it i'll just paint the plastic grill, not powder coat it. hopefully it won't get too chipped up...

i also though about getting the v-mesh, and the lower metal weave for my car, then having them both powder coated to the white diamond. not sure anyone has done that yet...what do you think? i'm really not worried about the price as long as it's a good job. just looking for something unique. suggestions? (without adding the v-skirts)

**edit...also, those with a spare grill...what are we talkin here for a price? PM me when you get a chance...

I'd sell my extra grill. It has some stone chips but you plan to paint it anyway. I've seen them on Ebay for $95 plus $35 S&H. You can have mine for $45 plus $35 S&H. Here's a pic of mine before the V bumper.

 

[TripleOught]

yeah, i wasn't sure about it before, but i think i dig it...still wondering how having 2 meshes (upper and lower) painted will look instead of the louver grill. hmmmmmmmm....decision decision...

i'll talk to some people this week about the painting and get back to you about the grill...wanna trade it for a k&n? :bulb: haha...

 

[RobertCTS]

yeah, i wasn't sure about it before, but i think i dig it...still wondering how having 2 meshes (upper and lower) painted will look instead of the louver grill. hmmmmmmmm....decision decision...

i'll talk to some people this week about the painting and get back to you about the grill...wanna trade it for a k&n? :bulb: haha...

I know E&G makes a mesh lower grill but it's very expensive. Pete at Cadillac MotorSports may have them. I know he has lower billet grills like PJ has. That would look exclusive. A painted upper OEM grill and a painted lower billet grill!

 

[DDS rollin a CTS]

I'd sell my extra grill. It has some stone chips but you plan to paint it anyway. I've seen them on Ebay for $95 plus $35 S&H. You can have mine for $45 plus $35 S&H. Here's a pic of mine before the V bumper.

Is that a regular grill or a V-grill you're offering? Don't worry TripleOught, you've got first dibs but if you pass I might take it if it's the V-mesh.

 

[RobertCTS]

Is that a regular grill or a V-grill you're offering? Don't worry TripleOught, you've got first dibs but if you pass I might take it if it's the V-mesh.

Back up a couple of posts DDS. There's a picture of it.

 

[Slywun]

Robert and Odysseus,
I'm sure you've been told a dozen times but both of your grills look outstanding!

 

[TripleOught]

boy...wouldn't want to go up against DDS in an ebay auction. fight to the death...

yeah it's original grill as robert pointed out...you can get the v-grill on gmpartsdirect for like 184...and if you know someone who works for GM chances are you don't have the pay the shipping...they just pick it up...thats how i got my sideview mirror on my jimmy atleast...like 150 less than dealer. anyways, not sure what i'm going to do yet...hopefully i'll know by the end of the week

 

[TripleOught]

robert...do you find you get a lot of nicks and stuff with it just being painted vs powder coated?

 

[RobertCTS]

Robert and Odysseus,
I'm sure you've been told a dozen times but both of your grills look outstanding!

THANK YOU SLYWUN!!

IMO the V grill isn't as appealing or aero looking as the CTS louvered grill. The V grill alone also gives you the illusion of a CTS-V Poser. I think what I have done has no way confused anyone that this is not a CTS-V. Ody & I both felt strongly about that issue. I love this new aero look!

 

[DDS rollin a CTS]

Back up a couple of posts DDS. There's a picture of it.

:bulb:

It makes so much sense now. The only reason I asked is because I thought you had a painted stock grill on there now with your V-bumper. Guess I should have known from the price.:bang2: