Blacking Out Bumper Grill - Vinyl or Paint?

unless you are experienced with autobody painting, it's strongly advised to have a bodyshop do it for you for the best result.

if you want to DIY, it's safer to do it with vinyl or plastidip. that way if you mess up, you can always peel it off and redo

here's mine done in vinyl. if i were to re-do it again, i will use matt black instead of gloss black.

 

I have, but mostly with pre-cut vinyl graphic stickers. this would be my first time working with a large plain sheet. Other people may have different method for this. I used a paper ruler from IKEA to measure the curves, do the measurements and calculation for center points on paper, draw the shape out with a ruler on the backside of the vinyl, and then cut it out w/ a x-acto knife and ruler.

most difficult part for me was the indentation around the license plate area. seems like that's a common issue for vinyl.

there are probably youtube videos you can find online to do this as well. hope that helps

 

I have had my bumper blacked out since a month after purchase. I had it done at the same shop that did my window tinting. I used 3M 1080 series matte black vinyl bought from Auto Vinyl Solutions

I also have my taillights tinted using film purchased from Blinglights and again installed at tint shop

 

The tint shop charged me 200 for the front bumper and tail light tint I supplied the material.

You can look at this post and see how I made the Grill insert for blocking

"Grill blocking on the C | PriusChat"]Grill blocking on the C

 

Seems worth it. I'm looking to do this also.

 

if they're only charging $30 then I'd say just have them do it. the material cost for me was $10 including the squeegee but I had to do it twice to get it right.

 

I had not thought about having it done by the tinting shop. Good idea. Will check with them. What about a light tint for the headlights? I am concerned about the plastic headlight cover yellowing. Maybe a light tint would stop that.
Thanks for the idea.
Dan

 

I've emailed around a couple shops and they want $600-1000 dollars to wrap the front and rear bumper. That's so much!

How much did u guys pay?!?!?

 

I bought the 4 x 5 foot sheet of vinyl at AVS (Auto Vinyl Solutions) for $50 online and the place I had my windows tinted charged me $180 for the front bumper and $100 for the rear.

 

Does the vinyl stretch somewhat, around curved corners? I'm thinking of my slightly battered hatch air foil.

 

Yes it will stretch if you use a heat gun to soften it.

 

used 3m 1080 matte black... you guys need to really find out how much vinyl is worth..

i was able to wrap 2 prius C's by buying $25 worth of material... with plenty of extra to spare... i'd say it was only like $10 worth of material on the car... labor? i did it myself. 1080 is really easy to work with.

 

that looks sooooo good 007!

 

I have a front bumper garnish ordered and should be here in a month. I have a picture attached what it should look like.

 

Here is a photo of what I ordered.