Yo I've got a '96 Maxima SE and I'm wunderin if it is possible to remove the stock grille, paint it silver, and put it back in.

 

If you do paint it, I'd recommend you clearcoat it after laying on the paint (acrylic spray is pretty good).

 

But now how do you go about executing the removing and the painting and the putting back?

 

Sorry, I'm not sure about specifics of how to remove the '96's grill. There's got to be a way. There are two clips on the '97 grill that holds it in place. Once I "pinch" them, the grill is released. (Too bad the search function doesn't work right now besides for folks who have donated >$20 to org in the past.)

 

96 has a screw in the middle I believe and also some clips you snap off. some pliers or screwdriver will help

 

its easy to take the grill of the 96. just pop the hood and it should be self explanatory.

 

you can do anything if you put your mind to it

 

Thanks everybody. I'll examine it tomorrow and see if I can figure it out.

 

95/96's are weird. it is confusing at first but once you realize there is that one screw in the middle, and the two square pegs you turn to open it, it's not bad. there was a thread with a red max who did this. some liked it, others didn't but it was unique. depends on the color of the max but is definately worth trying. i thought about painting mine silver or white but i kinda like the stock black. g'luck

 

Does anybody think it would be possible to fully paint the grille without having to take it off the bumper? Cause I looked at the screws and everything that hold the grille together and some are very hard to reach and loosen.

 

i would recommend that you clear coat it and try to find something that will hold well. but i will warn you, the paint may peel easily and small chips will appear. but good luck

 

take off the bumper? if you mean take off the grill then shure you can thats how some cheap shops do it. they mask everything off and spray away.

 

So say I cover everything surrounding the grille and "spray away." Would the spray paint affect or damage anything major that is under the hood and right behind the grille?

 

you like paint .. don't you

 

Yeah...there's something about the way it tastes.....

No but seriously, is there anything I should be careful of with regards to what is right behind the grille that can probably be reached by the spray paint?

 

you could always try the clear paint...talk about stealth



just playin with ya

 

just take it off and paint it. it's not too difficult to take it off and it would probably be easier to paint.

 

I wont reccomend doing it but if you must leave it on for whatever reason, you can mask the front bumper off and also put news paper behind the grill to cover thigns up. also lightly sand the surface your painting so the paint will cure better. I deff. rather take the grill off to do a much better job

 

btw to answer your question about behind the grill, only thing thats directly behind there is the hood latch, horn and ac condenser which wont be harmed by overspray. then again, just take off the grill to do it.

 

Hey PaintMan,
when you have finished painting your grill .. please post some pictures; I am interested in how it looks silver.
I have a 96se as well.
thx