best place for an optics grill

[HYFR]

anyone know of anywhere cheaper than here
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Genuine-Audi-A6-S ... 240%3A1318

or would it just be cheaper getting it sprayed ?

cheeRS

[A20LEE]

anyone know of anywhere cheaper than here
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Genuine-Audi-A6-S ... 240%3A1318

or would it just be cheaper getting it sprayed ?

cheeRS

it costs about £6 to spray it yourself.

[TopBear]

Agreed. I used a tin of Plastikote to spray mine.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165495

[HYFR]

thanks guys
did you spray just the chrome bit or spray it all as its all gonna be black anyhow ?

[Corey]

Black optic grill is only £88.02+VAT for a genuine one, becareful if buying one though as when I bought mine I had about 5 delivered before I found a perfect one, how they are packed from the factory is not good and when they stack them up it leaves a small nick on one of the corners.

[TopBear]

thanks guys
did you spray just the chrome bit or spray it all as its all gonna be black anyhow ?

On my B5 I split the chrome rings and frame away from the grill to paint them seperately.
The grill looked fine with a good clean up.

[SpeedSix]

As above, best thing to do rather than mask is to split the surround from the plastic (you can do this with the badge too)

To get a good key though its best to scotch pad the bits your doing and spray it with a coat of etching primer first. If not you will find the slightest stone chip will take the paint off! I know etching primer is pretty dear but its worth it in the long run! I've still got half a tin of it left if your anywhere near me!

[HYFR]

great advice guys - thanks - I think I will go down the DIY route, via splitting the chrome off. Worst case scenario if I bugger it up is £88+vat

[TopBear]

As above, best thing to do rather than mask is to split the surround from the plastic (you can do this with the badge too)

To get a good key though its best to scotch pad the bits your doing and spray it with a coat of etching primer first. If not you will find the slightest stone chip will take the paint off! I know etching primer is pretty dear but its worth it in the long run! I've still got half a tin of it left if your anywhere near me!

Speedsix, what's etching primer? I've never heard of it.

David, the grill is very easy to split apart, its basically just a series of clips holding it in place, if its the same (probably) as the RS4 grille.

[HYFR]

question is - is the lower part also "splittable" . . . ?

[A20LEE]

not sure about the RS6 but on the RS4 B5 the surround is coated plastic so i used an acrylic primer so i didn't melt it.

[SpeedSix]

Speedsix, what's etching primer? I've never heard of it.

Etching primer is a primer that eats into the surface of whatever its being sprayed onto to give you a better key! The surrounds and badges are actually plastic but are somehow coated with metal! Dont worry though, the etching primer doesn't eat in as far as the plastic! As I said though its a good idea to give them a light sanding before priming as well to give them an extra key! Especially the badge which is like spraying glass if it isnt prepped properly!

Heres a pic of my spare grill that was done......it never actually made it onto the car, I ended up sticking with standard!

[SpeedSix]

question is - is the lower part also "splittable" . . . ?

I haven't tried but I'm 99.9% sure it will be! Just take your time and you wont crack any of the clips off!