[stobes]

Had removed all the chrome from my car before upgrading my exhaust and was disappointed it only came with chrome tips or for ridiculously expensive price CF tips which regardless of price doesn't go with anything on the car and I'm also not really a fan of CF.

Got tired of trying to find a solution so took the plunge and painted them, held back originally because I didn't think it would look OEM, well they came up a treat all for $20, a can of high temperature etch primer for a couple of coats and then the same with high temperature gloss black. Couldn't be happier with the result.

20 minutes of painting was all it took plus drying time in between coats, baked them in the oven after the final coat to finish it off.

Have to point out I have no painting experience so can be done by anyone!!

[7iM3less]

Looks fantastic, hard to tell from the photos but did you loose the M engravings?

[YeaG30]

I did the same to my tips but only used the VHT SP124 Gloss Black with no primer and got the same results. As you stated, baking in the end seals the deal with making it look perfect. I can confirm my //M Logo is hardly noticeable but still present.

[madmortar]

id be too worried to stink up the house baking exhaust tips in my kitchen lol.

But they look great!

[.BMW.]

Very nice!

[DaGreat81]

Originally Posted by stobes

Had removed all the chrome from my car before upgrading my exhaust and was disappointed it only came with chrome tips or for ridiculously expensive price CF tips which regardless of price doesn't go with anything on the car and I'm also not really a fan of CF.

Got tired of trying to find a solution so took the plunge and painted them, held back originally because I didn't think it would look OEM, well they came up a treat all for $20, a can of high temperature etch primer for a couple of coats and then the same with high temperature gloss black. Couldn't be happier with the result.

20 minutes of painting was all it took plus drying time in between coats, baked them in the oven after the final coat to finish it off.

Have to point out I have no painting experience so can be done by anyone!!

several questions: you didn't do any prep work or sanding? did you use the vht brands? can you use a razor to etch the ///M logo? how long did you bake them and at what temp? they look really nice and I need to do this

[EDWYER]

Looks great.

[435MSport6Speed]

High heat paint?

[MSCD]

Originally Posted by stobes

Had removed all the chrome from my car before upgrading my exhaust and was disappointed it only came with chrome tips or for ridiculously expensive price CF tips which regardless of price doesn't go with anything on the car and I'm also not really a fan of CF.

Got tired of trying to find a solution so took the plunge and painted them, held back originally because I didn't think it would look OEM, well they came up a treat all for $20, a can of high temperature etch primer for a couple of coats and then the same with high temperature gloss black. Couldn't be happier with the result.

20 minutes of painting was all it took plus drying time in between coats, baked them in the oven after the final coat to finish it off.

Have to point out I have no painting experience so can be done by anyone!!

Can you confirm what black you used... I might repaint my black tips.

[stobes]

Originally Posted by DaGreat81

several questions: you didn't do any prep work or sanding? did you use the vht brands? can you use a razor to etch the ///M logo? how long did you bake them and at what temp? they look really nice and I need to do this

The logo M is still visible but not as prominent, am considering etching out with a blade but don't want to risk starting all over again if it doesn't work out. There's enough M logo's plastered all over the car from factory so can live without these ones.

No prep as such just a good clean, the key to a good finish is the primer I feel.

Baked in the oven at 200 celsius for an hour but putting on the car with the exhaust heat would probably have the same effect

Pic of products used.

[DaGreat81]

Originally Posted by stobes

The logo M is still visible but not as prominent, am considering etching out with a blade but don't want to risk starting all over again if it doesn't work out. There's enough M logo's plastered all over the car from factory so can live without these ones.

No prep as such just a good clean, the key to a good finish is the primer I feel.

Baked in the oven at 200 celsius for an hour but putting on the car with the exhaust heat would probably have the same effect

Pic of products used.

I think a light etch on the logo won't cause the paint to flake or peel off, ill look up the reviews for that brand but currently I'm leaning towards VHT high heat engine enamel, how many coats did you use? 3 for the primer and 4 coats for the paint?

[stobes]

Originally Posted by DaGreat81

I think a light etch on the logo won't cause the paint to flake or peel off, ill look up the reviews for that brand but currently I'm leaning towards VHT high heat engine enamel, how many coats did you use? 3 for the primer and 4 coats for the paint?

2 coats of primer, probably 4-5 light coats of the paint, built it up slowly so no paint run also drying time between coats was minimal doing it this way.

I'll give the etching a go and update with new pics.

[DaGreat81]

Originally Posted by stobes

2 coats of primer, probably 4-5 light coats of the paint, built it up slowly so no paint run also drying time between coats was minimal doing it this way.

I'll give the etching a go and update with new pics.

bro, thank you! please lemme see how the etching looks!

[swift111]

That looks really great !

[ROBBMAC]

Originally Posted by madmortar

id be too worried to stink up the house baking exhaust tips in my kitchen lol.

But they look great!

If you have a gas or propane grill out back you could “bake” them on the lowest setting possibly outside.

@OP great DIY results thanks for sharing the ideas.

[DaGreat81]

I tried doing this, and it does look like the photo above, several notes:

I applied 2 coats of primer and 4 coats of gloss black paint, baked in oven for an hour

chrome is not easily paintable, I used primer and paint and when I tried to do touchups and applied some scotch tape for masking off after baking, the exposed edges came right off with the tape, this was a complete waste of time unfortunately, I'm very frustrated with this hideous chrome, the primer and paint both came right off

the ///M logo was still present after baking and didn't need much etching but you can't attempt any etching at all, otherwise the paint will chip right off

the exposed edges are on the back of the tip, I can imagine with car washing and exhaust tip cleaning (these tips do get filthy easily), this will easily chip off with the use of a microfiber cloth, its not the paint thats bad, its the chrome surface

I feel I'm running out of options, I can either attempt this again and try to cover the entire back edge to see if that will fix my issue or simply pay someone to powder coat them, you guys have any ideas?

[Calvin36]

That looks damn good! I really like black exhaust tips which is why I went with the Dinan exhaust. didn't like the chrome of the M performance and also didn't want to pay he premium for the CF as I also do not have any other CF accents to match. I feel the Dinan is a tad louder than the M performance exhaust as well.

[DaGreat81]

Update: I just got them powder coated for only $20! amazing job and they hold up to 400 F, if you live in LA county, I went ARC in azusa and they were awesome, the gloss black really stands out!

you can barely see the ///M engravings unfortunately and theres nothing you can do about it, I tried using a blade but it won't come out good, you're just trying to scratch the powder coat on the ///M outline

[DaGreat81]

btw guys, what do you think about doing a resonator delete with MPE? I love the exhaust note but I wish it were louder, we can't use downpipes here in CA and that would void warranty

I plan to buy a straight aluminum pipe from auto zone with clamps, I don't think there would be any exhaust leaks

[7iM3less]

Originally Posted by DaGreat81

btw guys, what do you think about doing a resonator delete with MPE? I love the exhaust note but I wish it were louder, we can't use downpipes here in CA and that would void warranty

I plan to buy a straight aluminum pipe from auto zone with clamps, I don't think there would be any exhaust leaks

I've been thinking of doing the same thing.

I'd love to get any feedback or insights if anyone's done this before.

[techn0ir]

Wow this looks amazing. I just ordered some black chrome OEM tips from ECSTuning, but this is making me consider sending them back and taking a shot at painting my original tips.

[johndeere19]

Those look amazing! I might do the same