What did you do for your ZHP/ BMW / MINI today? #2

[jorbon]

Very nice. So you followed the DIY exactly, down to what products to use? I think I might have it book marked. It's definitely on my list of things to do. My lower grill is completely faded.

Did you remove and reinstall the bumper by yourself?


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WAIT!! I guess I saw a different (better for me) diy.
I DID NOT remove the bumper. This was much easier, if a bit riskier...
I (1) opened the hood an reached down through the kidneys to ID where the 10-12 attachment points are on the mesh insert.
(2) pushed from the front at each attachment point until the mesh and surrounding frame were separate from the bumper.
(3) then I slid the mesh as far as possible towards the driver's side of the car.
(4) --here's the delicate part-- I then twisted and pulled the mesh grill out through the hole it sits behind. I imagine a warm temperature helped, and I was careful to avoid scratching the bumper paint on the tight spots.

I cleaned it, let it dry, sprayed it and fit to back in the way it came out.
The clips were reachable through the kidneys again. Be careful if you try this to
(a) be gentle pushing on the relatively weak plastic mesh,
(b) twisting and extracting / reinserting the mesh, and
(c) aligning the clips before pushing your repainted mesh grill back into place.

Best of luck-

[NorCalZman]

Hmm lots of twisting of old plastic. Sounds pretty risky. How much is a new mesh insert in case one breaks theirs trying it this alternative way?


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[John in VA]

Hmm lots of twisting of old plastic. Sounds pretty risky. How much is a new mesh insert in case one breaks theirs trying it this alternative way?

Coupe or Convertible Center Bumper Grille AKA Grid - Located in the lower portion of the front bumper cover
51117065469 - BMW MSRP $38.22
Online Price from getbmwparts.com $30.58
ECS Tuning $31.20

[NorCalZman]

Is that all?! Forget painting. I'm just buying a new one.

[az3579]

It's too cold right now to be doing this shit lol

*Looks at location*

[ELCID86]

Is that all?! Forget painting. I'm just buying a new one.

Yeah. Who'd a thunk it!

[jorbon]

Coupe or Convertible Center Bumper Grille AKA Grid - Located in the lower portion of the front bumper cover
51117065469 - BMW MSRP $38.22
Online Price from getbmwparts.com $30.58
ECS Tuning $31.20

Yep. Easy to risk it when replacing is <$40.00

[Prestovie]

I've been meaning to get this replaced, mine has a nice hole in a few of the brackets


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[Vas]

Remember guys there are two parts to the lower grill. Both parts fade.

The part above is the outer piece but the second inner part is also visible.

[704sw]

Remember guys there are two parts to the lower grill. Both parts fade.

The part above is the outer piece but the second inner part is also visible.

Completely agree. In my case it was the inner piece which made the whole car look faded even after I spent an entire weekend doing paint correction.