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Vinyl Wrap and/or Plasti Dip Grille Bezels

JT614

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As you may have seen from many previous posts I like blue :).

This post is my DIY attempt to wrap the grille bezels in matching blue vinyl car wrap. Note that I have never done anything in car vinyl wrap, but have watched plenty of YouTube videos on vinyl wrapping so I figured I should give it a go! All said and done I give myself a 'C'. Steep learning curve with vinyl, but tons of potential with the forgiving nature of this type of vinyl.

Here's what I did:

1. Remove the grille. Six pop rivets at the top, just remove pop out the insert, then remove the pin.

IMG_20190628_214939.jpg
IMG_20190628_215020.jpg


2. After the pop rivets are out, there are metal clips at the bottom of the grille. Just give her a good yank :)
IMG_20190628_215110.jpg

IMG_20190628_215115.jpg

3. I have an Overland with the silver inserts so this is what I had to do. First pop out these four retaining clips.
grill clips 2.jpg


Then remove these six tension clips around the headlight bezels.
grille clips.jpg

Next remove these eight torx screws that hold the honeycomb inserts in place. After that, just pop out all of the sections and your'e good to go!
grille screws.jpg

4. Vinyl prep. This is all the stuff you need. The bottle is isopropyl alcohol which is needed for a final wipe down before the vinyl.
IMG_20190628_195448.jpg

5. I didn't capture pics of the process, but basically you wrap the bezels with the vinyl. The vinyl is super easy to work with, and the heat gun is a necessity! Plenty of YouTube videos showing this process.
IMG_20190628_214641.jpg


6. With the grille inserts wrapped, you just reverse the steps above to reinstall. Again, I give myself a 'C' with this first introduction to vinyl wrapping, but the grille looks great and give great accents to my blue theme!

IMG_20190628_220320.jpg

IMG_20190628_220442.jpg


What I learned during this process:
1. Buy more material than you may need. I just scraped by in this project, and it could have turned out better if I had more material.
2. Vinyl is awesome and forgiving to work with. Just a little heat will let you stretch it anywhere you need it!
3. This isn't a friendly DIY project. Patience is the key. Luckily I had wine :)
4. Practice makes prefect!

UPDATE:
After a few days in the heat the vinyl starts to remove from the bezels. Likely user error:headbang:. Therefore I decided to remove the vinyl and try Plasti-dip as I've seen other Wrangler owners do this too.

I did a half can of white for the base coat in order for the blue to pop, then 1.5 cans of blue. I would estimate a solid 6-8 coats, so it should be easy to peel off when I'm ready for a change:). I ended up with almost the identical look to the vinyl which made me very happy!

IMG_20190711_190109.jpg

IMG_20190711_190046.jpg
IMG_20190711_201242.jpg
IMG_20190711_201305.jpg


Hope you find this informative!
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JeepDreams

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@JT614

I don't know that I'll ever tackle this project, but MAN, you did an amazing job with your description, photos, and how-to!

Definitely an "A"!
 
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JT614

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@JT614

I don't know that I'll ever tackle this project, but MAN, you did an amazing job with your description, photos, and how-to!

Definitely an "A"!
Thanks! I totally appreciate the high $$ vinyl wrappers charge. There is quite the expertise needed! I gave it my best go!
 

Knolow

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Great job.
FYI the vinyl wrap 99% came undone because you used to much heat. Thats why cold method is the best for vinyl wrap. With that said spray is 100% easier anyway. Looks great.
 

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JT614

JT614

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I have a Sport S and decided to do a spray wrap using Duplicolor custom wrap for the whole grille. I used a little less than a can which was about 4 coats.

20190828_225114.jpg


20190828_225055.jpg
Looks sharp...nicely done! Just hope it's enough coats for when you want to remove it it comes off cleanly.
 

Lynn_F

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Looks sharp...nicely done! Just hope it's enough coats for when you want to remove it it comes off cleanly.
It is kind of a pain to remove if you dont do it correctly. I've used this stuff on a couple of projects now and have just about got it down! The main thing is to do multiple light coats instead of heavier coats. I did my entire SxS and it has held up great!!

20190215_155608.jpg


20190405_184742.jpg
 

UseThe4orce

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That looks great!!! After pulling my grill off and seeing all the tabs and screws holding in the inserts I said F it and just did black plastidip with the whole thing intact since the grill “mesh” was black anyway.


Did you pull the front bumper apart to do the tow hooks and inserts?
Thats my next move.
 

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JT614

JT614

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That looks great!!! After pulling my grill off and seeing all the tabs and screws holding in the inserts I said F it and just did black plastidip with the whole thing intact since the grill “mesh” was black anyway.


Did you pull the front bumper apart to do the tow hooks and inserts?
Thats my next move.
I've taken the grille apart so many times now, it's pretty easy!

As for the tow hooks I just taped around them which worked out well! Good luck!
 

HWKIGRL

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I Ordered the Mopar bezel replacements In flat black (needs paint) before seeing all the posts with the plasti-dip. I was going to have the dealer paint and install. Do those of you who have diy custom grill, do you think my 15 year old son and I could figure out taking off and putting back together (important part lol) the grill and bezel? I really want it blacked out but saving a trip to the dealer service dept. would sure be convenient and cost efficient
 

UseThe4orce

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There are more than enough posts and detailed instructions On here to get you guys through it.
I personally wouldn't pay the dealer to do this but recommend you Look at the directions and vids first to see if you are comfortable with the diy project.
 

Readyt

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As you may have seen from many previous posts I like blue :).

This post is my DIY attempt to wrap the grille bezels in matching blue vinyl car wrap. Note that I have never done anything in car vinyl wrap, but have watched plenty of YouTube videos on vinyl wrapping so I figured I should give it a go! All said and done I give myself a 'C'. Steep learning curve with vinyl, but tons of potential with the forgiving nature of this type of vinyl.

Here's what I did:

1. Remove the grille. Six pop rivets at the top, just remove pop out the insert, then remove the pin.

Jeep Gladiator Vinyl Wrap and/or Plasti Dip Grille Bezels 20190405_184742
Jeep Gladiator Vinyl Wrap and/or Plasti Dip Grille Bezels 20190405_184742


2. After the pop rivets are out, there are metal clips at the bottom of the grille. Just give her a good yank :)
Jeep Gladiator Vinyl Wrap and/or Plasti Dip Grille Bezels 20190405_184742

Jeep Gladiator Vinyl Wrap and/or Plasti Dip Grille Bezels 20190405_184742

3. I have an Overland with the silver inserts so this is what I had to do. First pop out these four retaining clips.
Jeep Gladiator Vinyl Wrap and/or Plasti Dip Grille Bezels 20190405_184742


Then remove these six tension clips around the headlight bezels.
Jeep Gladiator Vinyl Wrap and/or Plasti Dip Grille Bezels 20190405_184742

Next remove these eight torx screws that hold the honeycomb inserts in place. After that, just pop out all of the sections and your'e good to go!
Jeep Gladiator Vinyl Wrap and/or Plasti Dip Grille Bezels 20190405_184742

4. Vinyl prep. This is all the stuff you need. The bottle is isopropyl alcohol which is needed for a final wipe down before the vinyl.
Jeep Gladiator Vinyl Wrap and/or Plasti Dip Grille Bezels 20190405_184742

5. I didn't capture pics of the process, but basically you wrap the bezels with the vinyl. The vinyl is super easy to work with, and the heat gun is a necessity! Plenty of YouTube videos showing this process.
Jeep Gladiator Vinyl Wrap and/or Plasti Dip Grille Bezels 20190405_184742


6. With the grille inserts wrapped, you just reverse the steps above to reinstall. Again, I give myself a 'C' with this first introduction to vinyl wrapping, but the grille looks great and give great accents to my blue theme!

Jeep Gladiator Vinyl Wrap and/or Plasti Dip Grille Bezels 20190405_184742

Jeep Gladiator Vinyl Wrap and/or Plasti Dip Grille Bezels 20190405_184742


What I learned during this process:
1. Buy more material than you may need. I just scraped by in this project, and it could have turned out better if I had more material.
2. Vinyl is awesome and forgiving to work with. Just a little heat will let you stretch it anywhere you need it!
3. This isn't a friendly DIY project. Patience is the key. Luckily I had wine :)
4. Practice makes prefect!

UPDATE:
After a few days in the heat the vinyl starts to remove from the bezels. Likely user error:headbang:. Therefore I decided to remove the vinyl and try Plasti-dip as I've seen other Wrangler owners do this too.

I did a half can of white for the base coat in order for the blue to pop, then 1.5 cans of blue. I would estimate a solid 6-8 coats, so it should be easy to peel off when I'm ready for a change:). I ended up with almost the identical look to the vinyl which made me very happy!

Jeep Gladiator Vinyl Wrap and/or Plasti Dip Grille Bezels 20190405_184742

Jeep Gladiator Vinyl Wrap and/or Plasti Dip Grille Bezels 20190405_184742
Jeep Gladiator Vinyl Wrap and/or Plasti Dip Grille Bezels 20190405_184742
Jeep Gladiator Vinyl Wrap and/or Plasti Dip Grille Bezels 20190405_184742


Hope you find this informative!
Great Write up.!
 

VTBulldog

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I did 6 thin coats of plastic-dip in flat black. I have ran it now for 7 months and through the winter with no problems, not 1 chip.
6C393D1B-4111-4114-9C8D-9675C48EDA4D.jpeg
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