Just wondering if any1 has done this before.
I went to a panel beater the other day and he told me that it's impossible to make the paint stick to the front grille even after the chrome is sanded down.

Any suggestions?

My second option would be getting a Cooper S grille instead. But before spending my money on that, I'm just wondering if I can paint the grille myself. If possible, will the paint stick?

Thanks in advance

 

Hey Leon. Do a quick search and I think you'll find a couple of members used black vinyl (I guess you could use any color). It sticks well and looks great. Hope that helps ya.

 

Several of us have converted to chrome or Aero grilles. You may be able to pick one up fairly cheap (or trade somebody).

 

Visit your local vinyl/graphics shoppe & get about 15' of 2" wide automotive striping tape. Good tape should last ~ 5 years or more.
It's a pretty easy job if you take the grille out first. The bottom slat can be done right on the car.
Wash the grille thoroughly then go over it with rubbing alcohol to remove any wax or funk.
Just lay the tape on the leading edge of the slat, then work it back with a hard card, squeegee, or your fingers. If it doesn't lay quite right, pull it up & re-stick it. Good tape is quite forgiving.
Trim with an Exacto or Olfa blade. If you end up with a big bubble, just ***** the edge with your knife & push the bubble toward the hole. Little bubbles will disappear in a few days.
A Sharpie works great for touch-up.
One thing to note: The tape will have a clear protective layer on top. Peel it off once you're finished, or in a year or so you'll wish you had. It'll turn hazy & crack & ruin your otherwise impeccable handiwork.
Have fun & remember - black trim goes faster!
Bodinski

 

thanks for your useful suggestions, guys..

vinyl sounds good...but I'm just wondering...if I sand my chrome grille and spray several layer of primer then spray plastic paint over the primer...you reckon this will hold?

Any comments on this?

 

anyone? :(

 

You should be ok, if the piece is plastice, take all the chrome off first. I've seen this attempted by just roughing up the chrome and spraying. All went well, but the paint chipped away and re-exposed the chrome under it in a very short time. Good luck

 

Leon, I think the vinyl is truly the easier/better way to go. I'd hate to see you make things harder for yourself with paint. If you are bent on trying a different way I would love to hear how you make out with it. Good luck.

 

I've read many posts on this and I would like to do the grill with vinyl. I heard the trimbrite blackout tape is good, but I can only find it in 1-1/4 x 20. Cooperflags has offered me vinyl and I may just go with that. I would prefer a matte black, so the gloss doesn't conflict with my astro black. As soon as it's all sorted out I'll post pics.

Anyone have any other good ideas on what kind of vinyl tapes?

 

I'm going to look for the vinyl stripping tomorrow..
I'll let u know when done