Painting grille shell

[BlenderWizard]

I have the standard silverado grille on my truck (you can see it in my sig). I want to paint the gray plastic part, and I was wondiring the best way to paint it, so that it will stick. I'll be using spray can stuff, as I am not ready to pay a body shop or buy the paint myself. Any tips would be great. Basically, I'm looking to do what sportin83 did to his door handles, if that worked out alright for him. The SIlverado (left) in the pic is what I want to do to my grille

[TexasF355F1]

Since you're going to use a spray can I guess you know that it won't look anywhere glossy or exact match to the factory paint. But all you should have to do is sand it smooth, apply a base coat of some sort and then spray.

[BlenderWizard]

Well, they have pretty decent factory color match in a can, but I can't remember what brand it was. To get it glossy, wouldn't you just apply some kind of clear coat?

[jethro_3]

If the surface has any small gouges or nics they show up big time. Sanding has to be done to remove even the smallest of tags and blemishes. You need to find a paint man and get him out for lunch. Let him do it as a side job. They got the real paint and you can always make him do it over.

Do it right, do it once.....

I talked to my paint man and Nov he will do the bowtie, upper and lower plastics on both the front and back bumpers in white for $150. Gives me time to save up and gives me time to get more for the same price. Really I will stop there... no, really...I mean it.....

[sportin83]

Originally Posted by BlenderWizard

I have the standard silverado grille on my truck (you can see it in my sig). I want to paint the gray plastic part, and I was wondiring the best way to paint it, so that it will stick. I'll be using spray can stuff, as I am not ready to pay a body shop or buy the paint myself. Any tips would be great. Basically, I'm looking to do what sportin83 did to his door handles, if that worked out alright for him. The SIlverado (left) in the pic is what I want to do to my grille

i painted my grill, door handles and tailgat handle and have 1 mirror done so far. i used spray cans on all of it. get the color to match at auto zone or similar place.

1 clean surface from bugs tar and anything else.
2 remove from truck
3 depending if you wanna keep the texture ( i did on the grill) use atlease a 600 grit or higher to smooth the surface.
4 tape area off and make sure the area being painted is clean from any dust or anything. i usually use soapy water to clean after sanding then let dry for a bit.
5 start painting light coats. i used atleast 4 or 5 coats of paint, then let sit for a day then used 4 or 5 coats of clear.
then let sit for a day before driving with it.
6 put back on truck and cruise.

mine looks good and everything is holding up great, i just got a small rock chip in the grill but other than that is seems to be tough.


my only advice is dont rush the paint. take your time. if you get a run then you gotta let it dry and sand again. light coats. there is no such thing as to many coats either. hope this helps.

[BlenderWizard]

Originally Posted by sportin83

i painted my grill, door handles and tailgat handle and have 1 mirror done so far. i used spray cans on all of it. get the color to match at auto zone or similar place.

1 clean surface from bugs tar and anything else.
2 remove from truck
3 depending if you wanna keep the texture ( i did on the grill) use atlease a 600 grit or higher to smooth the surface.
4 tape area off and make sure the area being painted is clean from any dust or anything. i usually use soapy water to clean after sanding then let dry for a bit.
5 start painting light coats. i used atleast 4 or 5 coats of paint, then let sit for a day then used 4 or 5 coats of clear.
then let sit for a day before driving with it.
6 put back on truck and cruise.

mine looks good and everything is holding up great, i just got a small rock chip in the grill but other than that is seems to be tough.


my only advice is dont rush the paint. take your time. if you get a run then you gotta let it dry and sand again. light coats. there is no such thing as to many coats either. hope this helps.

You didn't use any kind of "adhesion promoter" for the plastic?

[sportin83]

Originally Posted by BlenderWizard

You didn't use any kind of "adhesion promoter" for the plastic?

no i just sanded it to make the surface smooth and the paint i got said works on metal or plastic surfaces. you could use a primer , but i didnt and mine is holding up great.

[BlenderWizard]

cool... what kind of clear did you use?

[sportin83]

Originally Posted by BlenderWizard

cool... what kind of clear did you use?

i used the same brand as the paint i bought. it was about 5 bucks a can for paint and clear. might get a cheaper clear but i didnt want to take a chance of it not working right so i bought the same brand that was guaranteed to stick and work with the paint

[BlenderWizard]

what brand of paint did you use?

[sportin83]

i dont recall the brand but advance auto and auto zone both carried it. it says truck and suv paint or somthing on it and they had a book to tell what color shade for the year make model of the vehicle and it matches very good. not perfect but unless you want to pay a shop what to you expect. if i can find the paint i will try to get the brand of it for you.

[BlenderWizard]

thanks!

[jethro_3]

If you paint on chrome it does take the special Flex-Primer. Otherwise when it chips it takes off large peices.

[sportin83]

the brand is dupli-color and its says it is a excact match, but to me it looks slightly different. but looks really good for the price!!!.

[sportin83]

you should do the entire grill including the chrome, unless you wanna keep it i guess. i want a little flash but i like the smooth look of everything being painted. anyways here is a blown up pic of the grill all painted and the billet insert.