I wanted to keep the chrome border and verticals, but I hated the "platinum grey" grill. Also, I live in a "front plate required" state, and it seems that there is no black filler plate for a front plate - just the plate delete.

So I took it to a automobile painter and presto - a much more appropriate mat black grill

http://forums.audiworld.com/picture.php?albumid=12932&pictureid=222774

It is the same tone as the horizontal pieces in the intercooler grills. I think it fits much better with the rest of the front end than the grey grill did. It should have come this way.

http://forums.audiworld.com/picture.php?albumid=12932&pictureid=222773

The best part is that we figured out how to paint it without removing the grill. He masked the 4 rings, S4 logo and the rest of the car, and put a dropcloth vertically between the grill back and the radiator to contain the paint. The only part that had to come off was the plastic piece covering the space between the gtill and the radiator (4 screws) so the dropcloth could be fitted into the space.

Perfect!! It looks beautiful. This is exactly what I want to do to my Ibis White S4. I love it.. now it matches the area around your fogs. Mind sharing how much did it cost??

Perfect!! It looks beautiful. This is exactly what I want to do to my Ibis White S4. I love it.. now it matches the area around your fogs. Mind sharing how much did it cost??

Very reasonable - $175. The shop is very good but pretty small and low volume. The owner doesn't actually have a business card, and he's been there for quite a while. So it may be more from a "regular" shop.

He estimated two hours to prep it - but wound up having to mask the 4-rings rather than remove the chrome - and said that was a bear. The rest of the masking is pretty straightforward.

Steve

looks very nice!

$175 is great price. tempting.