Your opinion on these 'black edition' mods

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Nov 30, 2011 | 05:26 PM

#21

Alag

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Joined: Nov 2011

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From: BURBAGE leicestershire uk

Hi Frog I think the black grille has come out good hard to know which I like most.It gives a change for you but bet you will go back to the original in time.
Al

Dec 1, 2011 | 02:09 AM

#22

Frog

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From: France (UK expat)

Quote:

Originally Posted by XKRacer

I do know someone who actually makes a nice plinth and a set of grilles

Now I wonder who that might be...

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALAG

Hi Frog I think the black grille has come out good hard to know which I like most.It gives a change for you but bet you will go back to the original in time.

You're probably right. I like contrasts and while I don't think a black mesh would look good on a darker colour, I thought it might be nice against my pale blue. TBH, though, it doesn't really stand out enough. It's ok, but no better than SS, IMHO. We'll see how long the paint lasts

Dec 3, 2011 | 01:01 AM

#23

Blackhillsjag

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Joined: Oct 2011

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From: Keystone SD

Actually look pretty nice Frog!
I have a black xkr and was thinking of dropping a black grill in, Mina makes a nice one. Does any one have any experience with blackened headlights? Curious as to how much light loss it causes.

Dec 3, 2011 | 02:34 AM

#24

XKRacer

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From: UK

Blacked out headlights were standard fitment on later XKs mainly beacuase of the introduction of Xenons, apparently the shiney backs cause glare.

Looking at the pic I would say the main difference seems to be the area of the indicator is also blacked out, I actually colour coded mine to my car, the jury is still out on that one!

Nov 2, 2014 | 04:07 PM

#25

davideoandthebeast

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Joined: Sep 2014

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From: Chubbuck, ID

XKRacer, where did you get that grille assembly? that's exactly what I'm looking to acquire for mine.

Nov 2, 2014 | 04:12 PM

#26

davideoandthebeast

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Joined: Sep 2014

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From: Chubbuck, ID

XKRacer, where is that grille on the blue car (above) found at? it's exactly what I'm looking for to complete the aesthetics of my ride.

Nov 2, 2014 | 05:01 PM

#27

XKRacer

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From: UK

The grille is a standard 05/06 grille.... The straker is off an X150, you will probably find one on eBay for not much money..... You will have to grind the back off a bit to make it fit nice.... Not difficult

Nov 2, 2014 | 06:23 PM

#28

philhef

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Joined: Feb 2011

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From: North Carolina

I think the black looks great. Although I think it's better on some colors than others. Iva actually got two spare mesh grilles I plan to put on ebay. One is an insert grille, requiring the front bumper removal and over riders cut off, the other the standard convex with rubber gasket. Easier to install but insert looks better!!

Nov 2, 2014 | 06:25 PM

#29

reb1999

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Joined: Apr 2014

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From: LI NY

Love the look. I think the wheels make the car. Rich

Nov 3, 2014 | 05:16 AM

#30

philhef

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From: North Carolina

Quote:

Originally Posted by OhioXK

This is what I was planning to do (sans the vents & light covers) if I had decided on an XKR instead of the XK8. I hope that I don't offend anyone here, but I really don't care for the stock wire mesh, at least not on a car painted black, as I think it stands out a bit too much and detracts from the elegance of the rest of the vehicle, particularly on the '05-06 models. The mesh doesn't stand out quite as much on lighter colored vehicles as it does on black.

I think a very dark charcoal grey might look a bit better than black; and certainly a satin finish rather than gloss. Not sure if powdercoating might be a good alternative to paint for this application? Perhaps just using a different shade of the body color might look good on some cars.

I had my XK8 blacked out before I hd it re painted. Loved it.