My Cosmic Blue gets the aggressive treatment

I tried this before but wound up removing it. This time, I think I got the fit and 3M tape just right (time will tell) on the black grille overlay. It definitely looks sportier than the chrome grille and looks good against my clean and shiny freshly washed car. I know I know... why didn't I just buy the actual black hatch grille? Well, honestly, I don't trust my skills to not f-up something if I remove the bumper. Plus, if I get tired of this look, it will be fairly easy to remove.

So how was this done? I have a vinyl wrapped grill which definitely looks sportier with my Modern Metallic color than the chrome look. I'm just curious is this plasti-dip, is it vinyl? or is it a piece overlay-ed? I am not understanding why the 3M tape.

It's a thin, molded abs, gloss black overlay attached with 3M tape.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/RS-Turbo-T...le-Cover-Trim-For-Honda-Civic-16/262969071868

gtman said:

It's a thin, molded abs, gloss black overlay attached with 3M tape.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/RS-Turbo-T...le-Cover-Trim-For-Honda-Civic-16/262969071868

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That's a good option for those with the chrome grille.

Ooooh, looks good. I didn't notice they had these. I actually just ordered the gloss black grille set from College Hills Honda. The OCD in me would go crazy with the gloss black "eyebrows" but matte black plastic on the bottom portion, so I just got the whole glossy set. So impatient to have it installed already.

xaviersayys said:

Ooooh, looks good. I didn't notice they had these. I actually just ordered the gloss black grille set from College Hills Honda. The OCD in me would go crazy with the gloss black "eyebrows" but matte black plastic on the bottom portion, so I just got the whole glossy set. So impatient to have it installed already.

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I had it wrapped in Frost Black vinyl and the difference is so minimal most people think its a whole grill replacement. Was thinking to order the gloss black grill replacement and may still do it with my lip now being so glossy but I think it's all good and has yet to have my OCD twitch kick in.

gtman said:

It's a thin, molded abs, gloss black overlay attached with 3M tape.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/RS-Turbo-T...le-Cover-Trim-For-Honda-Civic-16/262969071868

Click to expand...

Not a bad option wasn't even aware this existed. I would be worried as to how flush it sits over the existing but in your pic it looks pretty damn good. I am pretty happy with my vinyl wrap job and seeing as I outsourced it for about the same cost you paid for the overlay I would say it was a good option that is easily reversible should I decide to want to go back to the stock chrome look.

For everyone else its nice to know there are multiple options without having to attempt a whole bumper removal.

HexSosa1 said:

Not a bad option wasn't even aware this existed. I would be worried as to how flush it sits over the existing but in your pic it looks pretty damn good.

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It sits fairly flush because it's thin. My issue with it is that it doesn't 100% fit perfectly. Maybe about 99%. It still allows a tiny bit of chrome to show from certain angles. I mean, you have to be looking for it, but it's probably the main reason I'm not 100% sold on this. It does look sharp overall though.

Looking good!!
That overlay has been on and off more than an old pair of jeans!

True. I seem to have a love hate relationship with it.

I plasti-dipped front grille and it came out horrible. I took it off immediately. I really suck with using plastic-dip. Its just me.

Considered vinyl wrapping. But if I am such an idiot with plasti dip, I don't have high hopes of DIY wrapping.

I am seriously thinking of ordering this. This matte cover is only $73. I too am afraid of bumper removal. Just worried that there's no ebay reviews on this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Replace-Ma...826472&hash=item2833744558:g:7jYAAOSw-K9ZDOXJ

jonny_utah said:

I plasti-dipped front grille and it came out horrible. I took it off immediately. I really suck with using plastic-dip. Its just me.

Considered vinyl wrapping. But if I am such an idiot with plasti dip, I don't have high hopes of DIY wrapping.

I am seriously thinking of ordering this. This matte cover is only $73. I too am afraid of bumper removal. Just worried that there's no ebay reviews on this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Replace-Matte-Black-Grille-Front-bumper-Goid-Cover-Trim-for-Honda-Civic-2016-18/172661949784?fits=Model:Civic|Make:Honda&epid=2264826472&hash=item2833744558:g:7jYAAOSw-K9ZDOXJ

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The bumper removal can be tricky if you’ve never done it before. However, if you’re feeling daring, there are many videos online of how to remove the 10th gen bumper. Also, they sell aftermarket piano black grills on eBay that replaces the factory chrome one for about 85$, considering the hatch grill is about 300$ total.

The bumper removal thing is interesting. People will say it's "easy". But then in the next sentence will say "I had a bit of a problem and broke off a few clips". It's like anything else. Easy is in the eye of the beholder.

I like the simplicity of the grille overlay install and the fact they actually are easy to remove and go back to stock. A full grille looks better of course but the overlays are close.

There's another factor people don't think about. When you trade your car in, not having the original grille will hurt your resale somewhat at the dealer. Just sayin'.

gtman said:

The bumper removal thing is interesting. People will say it's "easy". But then in the next sentence will say "I had a bit of a problem and broke off a few clips". It's like anything else. Easy is in the eye of the beholder.

I like the simplicity of the grille overlay install and the fact they actually are easy to remove and go back to stock. A full grille looks better of course but the overlays are close.

There's another factor people don't think about. When you trade your car in, not having the original grille will hurt your resale somewhat at the dealer. Just sayin'.

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That's a great point! The overlay is probably going to be your best option due to the reasons you mention. Unless I get some really good deal from the dealer on trade in, I plan on driving this car into the ground for the next decade so i tend to just do the mods I like without thinking about that stuff. But the overlay is definitely cool as well and looks like the hatch grill on first glance

Hey gtman fans (including deezy ). Time for another long winded update in the ongoing saga of my front end.

Sorry if this post is long. Anyway, a little background. I don't hate chrome but it's not my favorite. But for some reason, it does seem to work OK with the dark Cosmic Blue color. Reds, white, black and silvers look outstanding with the gloss black grille. But that dark blue seems to be the one color where it doesn't quite work, at least IMO. Oh it looks pretty sharp but because the blue is so dark it doesn't really pop. Plus the gloss black overlay I bought only covered the chrome part and left the matte black lower part as is. So, it looks a bit off. After a week or so I removed it again. But this time there's a new angle to the story...

I have a bit of a carbon fiber theme going inside and out. A mix of real and not real. On the exterior, I have real carbon B and C pillars and faux front and rear carbon vent covers. And it looks good with the Cosmic Blue. Anyway, I found a seller on Ebay selling carbon look overlays that cover the entire front grille. The chrome part and the lower matte black part. The price was right so I pulled the trigger.

The carbon look pops a bit more than the gloss black and everything matches up front. The vent covers and the lower grille are in place. Due to unending rain, I have to wait to add the upper grille and eyelid pieces. Here's a fitment test of the top center grille only just to give an idea of the look:

I think it's gonna look great once I install it with the two eyelid wings in place. Please excuse my filthy car. It's been raining every day.