How to color match grille?

[Seand717]

I've got a silver lariat and already have the silver bumpers but want the grille color matched. I've talked to a few body shops and they say even sanding on the chrome grille paint won't hold onto it. I don't feel like dropping all the money on a paintable one of mine will work with some sanding or blasting. What have yall done?

 

[Radioflyer]

I've read this, but haven't tried it yet; on chrome plated plastic pieces you can use oven cleaner to strip the chrome off. There was a video of a guy floating around on you tube that I found one day who used it to strip the chrome in his headlight assembly doing a projector retrofit. Basically sprayed it, and it sanded off. Then he primed and prepped the housing for paint. While this may be different on headlight assemblies, a buddy is going to attempt it on a spare grille he has for his 6.4. Again, this would be at your own risk since i've only seen it done that one time on headlights. Here's a video of a guy doing it to RC car wheels:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGkcyHIbRRw

Just a thought. I'm going to attempt PTM my chrome bumpers on my truck while it's still warm out. If all else fails, i'm comfortable with having them coated with bed liner.

 

[Seand717]

Yea I've heard of the oven cleaner . I've been trying to find a used grille to try it out on so if it looks horrible I still have my good one. I know somebody has done it. Seems like everybody is ptm now days

 

[dsberman94]

We tried it on my buddies truck but he didn't buy easy off brand oven cleaner specifically. It didn't seem to do much. Granted we didn't let it sit for a few hours, but the stuff all ran right off the parts anyway. Maybe when I get back from vacation I'll give it a shot with the 07 grille I want to put on my truck if there isn't a definitive answer yet.

 

[PyroFighter]

Use bulldog adheasion promoter. Works like a charm.

 

[Seand717]

So get chrome off then put the bulldog stuff or or scuff the chrome and do it?

 

[ftast350]

I just did my rear bumper. Sanded with 60grit then adhesion promoter, self etching primer, hi-build primer then base coat and clear. I know this is on metal but I was thinking of trying the same process on my grille. I have also read bleach or brake fluid works, takes time but works.

 

[PyroFighter]

It will work without scuffing the chrome. I did this on a Nissan titan years ago. Looked like it was factory. Scuffing and etching primer is the best route. But isn't a requirement. That away if you don't like it you can always strip the paint and go back to the chrome.

 

[johnp115]

I wrapped mine with vinyl. Definitely hard to do but held good.

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[ftast350]

First time using tapatalk so I hope this works.


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[Radioflyer]

View attachment 37256View attachment 37257
First time using tapatalk so I hope this works.


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If you don't mind, could you go into detail the steps you took to do this? I'd greatly appreciate it.

 

[Seand717]

After yall get the part ready to paint and already primed are yall taking it somewhere to get painted? I want it color matched to my truck but don't know how to go about getting the paint for it

 

[Radioflyer]

After yall get the part ready to paint and already primed are yall taking it somewhere to get painted? I want it color matched to my truck but don't know how to go about getting the paint for it

We have a few paint houses here that you take your paint code to and they'll mix up a quart and either sell it as a quart for a gun or in rattle cans. I did this with some interior trim pieces and it worked out great.

 

[TyCorr]

If you went to a bodyshop and they didnt know about adhesion promoter. Leave.

I would just paint it. Adhesion promoter, primer, and paint.

 

[mattmal9]

I was considering doing this a while back and I found this looking around:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2011-2015-F...NEW-/201368563388?hash=item2ee2806ebc&vxp=mtr

OEM product, ready for paint, and your not paying the "Ford" price.

 

[CUZICAN]

I was considering doing this a while back and I found this looking around:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2011-2015-F...NEW-/201368563388?hash=item2ee2806ebc&vxp=mtr

OEM product, ready for paint, and your not paying the "Ford" price.

That's the route I went, with what I paid for this truck, I couldn't see not doing it the right way.

 

[ftast350]

If you don't mind, could you go into detail the steps you took to do this? I'd greatly appreciate it.

Sanded with a dual action sander and 60 grit
Wax and grease remover
Adhesion promoter
Self etching primer x2 coats
High build primer x2 min coats
Sanded with 600 grit
Prime again if you go through
3x base coat
3x clear (min, I should have done 4)
Polish (I have yet to do)

I used all NAPA products and a custom mixed color through them aswell

 

[Seand717]

I want to do the whole grille and not just the surround or I'd go that route.

 

[zporta]

The wrap seems like a good idea, the problem would be finding an exact vinyl match

 

[sno-x139]

I wrapped mine with vinyl. Definitely hard to do but held good.

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That looks great was it on an Oxford white truck? If so what was th exact color of the vinyl called? Looked at going th wrap route but haven't been able to find the perfect match.

Thanks!