Painting Grille

arctictwist · August 2, 2011

Well i had someone paint it and they sucked. Its peeling all over because they seem to have given up on sanding in certain spots. it literally looks brand new under it. So im gonna do it myself and add a billet insert afterwards. whats the process, what paints are you using? I did a search and didnt find much. Also if i have lifting, or divets from rocks how can i fix them?

iminaquagmire · August 2, 2011

I've been convinced that the only way to really get this done is professionally. Rattle cans are just too thin and lack real pigment. Not to mention the prep work involved. In order to get enough tooth in the part, you need to really scuff up the chrome, which isn't really chrome. Its a plastic-like chrome film applied to the base plastic. I'd suggest you either pay somebody who DOES know what they are doing or just buy a new already painted grille shell.

jblaylock · August 2, 2011

I would suggest buying the pre-painted shell. To really get the paint to stick, you have to sand off ALL the chrome overlay, and even then, it will peel once you get a few rock chips. I did this to an older S-10 with a phantom grille. The paint work was done professionally and it still peeled off

redjewel2ss · August 2, 2011

if pre-painted grill isn't in your budget, you gotta sand off the chrome like what jblaylock said, but you really need to use an adhesion promoter, then filler primer before paint. sand after you put on about 2 or 3 coats of primer to make it smooth, then apply at least 5 coats of color and 5 to 10 coats of clear if using rattle cans. once its cured, GENTLY wet sand with 3000 grit to remove any orange peel.

if you have metallic paint, have it professionally done at a body shop or buy the pre-painted one ifthey offer it in your color!

Superperv23 · August 2, 2011

You need a good adhesion promoter, it is the most important part of painting plastic. The other thing is since it is a grill it gets hit by a lot of stuff as you drive so you want to pile on the coats of clear to it.

blackout07 · August 2, 2011

I scuffed mine up really good and used etching primer. I have some rock chips but now peeling.

[email protected] · August 2, 2011

I've found paint easy to stick to chrome as long as you use etching primer, but now hard plastic is a different story, it loves to chip.

jblaylock · August 2, 2011

I've found paint easy to stick to chrome as long as you use etching primer, but now hard plastic is a different story, it loves to chip.

That's the problem. Under that chrome is hard plastic. Also, let me make you aware of how hard it will be if you sand off ALL the chrome. It will take you a LONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! time. After your time/effort/materials...you could have purchased one.

If pre-painted isn't in your budget, I would then look at a black one, like on the base models. These would be much easier to paint. HERE is one cheap on ebay.

redjewel2ss · August 2, 2011

I've found paint easy to stick to chrome as long as you use etching primer, but now hard plastic is a different story, it loves to chip.

That's the problem. Under that chrome is hard plastic. Also, let me make you aware of how hard it will be if you sand off ALL the chrome. It will take you a LONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! time. After your time/effort/materials...you could have purchased one.

If pre-painted isn't in your budget, I would then look at a black one, like on the base models. These would be much easier to paint. HERE is one cheap on ebay.

good find! i didn't even think of the unpainted plastic ones.

[email protected] · August 2, 2011

It's not THAT hard just take a razor and the chrome will flake right off after a little elbow grease, but you're right sanding will take forever.

arctictwist · August 3, 2011

Im gonna have to think about just getting the pre-painted one i suppose. It sounds like the time and paint will add up to about the same.

jblaylock · August 3, 2011

Im gonna have to think about just getting the pre-painted one i suppose. It sounds like the time and paint will add up to about the same.

That is probably your best option. You can also watch ebay for once, or search www.car-part.com and you may find a red one at a recycler....worth a shot.