Depends on the model and your level of patience. For my R53 posted here, I only took off the scuttles and gas cap. Everything else I painted on the car using the tape and newspaper method.

With my R55, I took off the grille pieces, scuttles, gas cap, headlight rings and scoop. We taped off the beltline and door/boot handles on the Clubby. But, as I mentioned before, we ended up buying the molded covers for the door handles on both cars because the Plasti-dip just didn't seem to work very well there.

 

I'd be doing this to my R53. I would worry about painting so much on the car, but from my experience with plasti-dip I should be able to wipe off any terrible overspray. I'll probably do what you did, remove the scuttles and gas cap, and just mask the rest of the stuff with painters tape and newspaper. Thanks for posting the pics, it gave me the inspiration to get off my butt and do something about all the ugly chrome on my car!

 

does anyone know if the old r53 grille with the "fancy" chrome surround is interchangeable with the newer "non-fancy" chrome surround from the facelifted r53??

I would much rather have the smooth trim than what i have...

 

It really wasn't that bad. Just don't get in a hurry. The taping took a while, but I like spending time in the garage, so it was fun. The overspray wipes off really easy if you happen to get any around the tape and newspaper. Can't wait to see how yours turns out and what you think about the process.

 

I'm sure it would be the same, the overall size of the grill did not change. You just have to make sure the tabs line up.

 

Added a few more highlights to the car including some red accents and the hood/scoop graphic. So far, the Plasti-dip has held up well in the Atlanta heat and regular washings. I have a few places that could be touched up, but for the most part it has worked wonderfully!