I don't know if it would look great on all cars, but on my black car, I think it will look GREAT.

I took out the grill peice, sprayed it black with a $2.57 Painter's Touch from Lowe's. It definitely looks healthier and a bit classier to me. The last two pictures are out of focus - I wanted to turn off the flash so you can get a better idea of the real color and I didn't want to use a tripod.

Question - is there something I can spray on top of it to prevent the paint from chipping?

Ill definitely post when I put it on the hood- the car is in the bodyshop at the moment.

Eric

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
1995 E320 Sportline Wagon "Bernard"
black on black leather

http://i.imgur.com/BdZ7jM3.png

2

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
1995 E320 Sportline Wagon "Bernard"
black on black leather

http://i.imgur.com/BdZ7jM3.png

3

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
1995 E320 Sportline Wagon "Bernard"
black on black leather

http://i.imgur.com/BdZ7jM3.png

Interesting idea...I wonder how the black grille would look on my car (blue/green)?

And Eric, I'm glad to hear that Peyton's getting fixed up in spite of what the insurance Nazis tried to do...

I agree, Looks Great! I have done it 4 times. Not to get your hopes down but, it will peel unless you use a primer, color then many coats of clear. Use only automotive grade paint too! I did my last grill this way 2 years ago and have no chips or peeling so far. ( knock on wood)...... Please email me if you have any questions. you can also do a search on the subject on this site, you will find lots of info.
Adam

BTW: The chrome pieces of my grill are powder coated not painted. I would not suggest using paint over the chrome.

__________________
Current Stable:
01 ML55 AMG
92 500E (a few mods)
87 300E (lots of mods)
00 Chevy 3500HD Diesel Box Truck
68 18' Donzi Marine
06 GT i-Drive7 1.0 Mountain Bike (with GPS!)

PREVIOUSLY OWNED:83 300SD, 87 420SEL, 88 420SEL, 90 420SEL, 86 560SEL, 86 190E 2.3-16V AMG, 94 E320

Why would you want to paint the chrome?

A 124, maybe, but I can't picture a 123 without all the chrome trim...

I was referring to just the grill in this case but, I would think the W123 with the chrome powder coated with a matching color would look very cool and modern too! Thats just my opinion.....
Adam

__________________
Current Stable:
01 ML55 AMG
92 500E (a few mods)
87 300E (lots of mods)
00 Chevy 3500HD Diesel Box Truck
68 18' Donzi Marine
06 GT i-Drive7 1.0 Mountain Bike (with GPS!)

PREVIOUSLY OWNED:83 300SD, 87 420SEL, 88 420SEL, 90 420SEL, 86 560SEL, 86 190E 2.3-16V AMG, 94 E320

I had my grill sprayed silver a couple of years back. It looked great for the first few months before it started chipping.

I don't suppose there is much that can be done to prevent chips other than having to spray it over.

__________________
... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

Hey Eric,

The grill looks great. The first time I saw a W123 with the black plastic trim instead of the grey, I fell in love. The grey gets worn out to bad, as it is on mine. I'd like to do this project to my coupe some time in the near future.

BTW: Hope Peyton makes a quick (but "A" quality) recovery, so she can hit the road again.

Eric--
Definitely will look sharp. You cant go wrong.

__________________
Nate

1995 E420
1992 BMW 525i
1984 300D Turbo sold
1993 Volvo 244 sold
1995 Volvo 944T R.I.P!


"The details are not details. They make the product."
-Charles Eames

www.cbs.nu

There is aerosol "bumper" paint, which has a flex additive to help resist the chipping.