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Painting the grille

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Chris(NJ), Oct 7, 2010.

  1. Oct 7, 2010 at 4:44 PM
    #1
    Chris(NJ)

    Chris(NJ) [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Mods are currently being changed .....
    I'm editing this initial post a little to make it more DIY friendly.

    Background; I ordered a Grillcraft mesh piece a few days ago, which will be here on Monday. In the meantime, I wanted to get a head start on the grille so that it'll be done in plenty of time. Once the GC piece gets here, I'll be able to just install it and enjoy it, w/ a little less chrome surrounding it :D And that was my main goal. To rid the grille of the chrome. I just didnt think it fit real well.

    Heres the products that I used:
    All DupliColor products. The Color code I used for Indigo Ink was 8P4. The trim paint is only for the center section if you're doing the satoshi step.

    DSC02181_e6d402029ef827d0756a6cf2a87f49755b847e39.jpg

    If you're doing a flushmount grillcraft, the "satoshi" step is optional. I didnt want to be able to see the oem center section behind the grillcraft, so I cut this part out. I used a fellow members writeup on this section. His thread is located here: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...-how-w-pics.html?highlight=satoshi+grillcraft

    Before I did anything, I removed the top weather stripping. Very easy step that only takes a minute to do. Once the grill is out, just squeeze the uderside of the clips and press them through. This is it, removed.
    DSC02184_e84cd0844b6be3f9b36999506f0e7fe086294ce2.jpg

    I started out by cutting out the center section of the grille. From there, I went ahead and sanded the chrome finish down. After trying a few different grits, I wound up using 150 grit paper since it made quick work of the chrome and didnt leave deep gouges. Fwiw, I also think it looks pretty damn cool, b/c after sanding, it gave the appearance of a brushed alum. piece, which I thought looked pretty trick :)

    PART_1286329944329_717a0db3bc7a82f8a8dc842b96415b26844d78a1.jpg


    At this point, I did the "satoshi'ing" of the center section. Totally optional for the purposes of this writeup.DSC02170_e999b272fa842c7e1a8a3a6f29d9915ba806afd7.jpg

    After that was all done, I was ready to get back to the project at hand. I used some lime green, 3M painters tape and taped up the inner section, corner faux mesh and around the outside of the area being painted. Take your time w/ this step, especially around the corner faux mesh, so you dont get overspray in there. After it was all taped up real good, I wiped the sanded chrome down w/ prepsol (not pictured in the first pic, but it should be available at your local pepboys, etc) and proceeded to spray 2 coats of DupliColor Adhesion Promoter. I did relatively thin coats. A heavy coat isnt necessary.
    This only gave it a duller finish, as the AP goes on relatively clear.
    DSC02175_c7dc29ed38dfd4bf6586d42a3b360b84086eb988.jpg

    At this point, I was ready for some primer. 3 Coats of DupliColor Sand-able primer, all about 10 minutes apart.
    This pic was halfway through applying the coats of primer.
    DSC02176_f80e5793f70260534af0f55c03e7301b15478f56.jpg

    I gave the piece about 50 minutes to dry (can of primer suggests a min of 30 mins) and went ahead and wetsanded the piece w/ 1000 grit ws paper.
    DSC02178_291d31815c5444077e6000e6087ecc84fa6e5d1a.jpg


    The piece is now super smooth and ready for the paint. I sprayed 4 initial coats, allowing 10-12 minutes between coats, then, let the 4th coat dry for about 1 hour. I wetsanded w/ 1500 grit paper, and then after it was all dry, went ahead w/ one last coat, a little heavier than the initial coats, but obviously not nearly enough to cause drips/runs/etc. Heres the last pic before clearing it.

    DSC02179_be3b87114a3788b8718f0dcd942ffff9806da393.jpg

    I let the base paint dry for a few days. Not necessary, but I had a lot going on. You should be able to spray the clear after a few hours of letting the base paint cure.

    For the clearcoat, I sprayed 3 light coats to start, all 10 minutes apart. I sprayed a 4th coat, heavier than the previous ones. This really helps to give a much glossier appearance. Also, try to avoid letting the clearcoat dry in the sun. Shade, or indoors would be ideal. Sun can cause premature curing, resulting in some hazing of the finish.

    Heres a shot after the clear has dried.
    DSC02188_3670619994252813d68f5192331890ebde4e9dcf.jpg

    Now, heres a few pics of it installed and how it matched up to the oem paint.

    DSC02183_a7a6f3a8d24680467b2b75148fa3a51d84617e57.jpg

    DSC02196_5e3e42a546733af8d4db1826b2f3c1586f9c6a38.jpg

    DSC02194_1ad017442fedcb5aa7a8b7e1e120625d6f7285dc.jpg

    DSC02189_360c67faa571e937ebc88fe0c2899014ec6dec3a.jpg

    DSC02195_aa68818f3bf8ce036defb5d107b5bba12ea7e2b2.jpg

    imo, I think it turned out great. It matches the front bumper Very well, and as expected, the hood has more gloss and clarity, but paint color is right on. I'll try to get more pics once the sun shows its face again, but I finished this evening about 6:15 and we have some weather rolling in, so I didnt get much sun to snap pics w/.

    Let me know if you guys have any questions!!
     
    Lay87 and outlawtacoma like this.
  2. Oct 7, 2010 at 5:05 PM
    #2
    DTFtacoma

    DTFtacoma Dezert Toy Fabrication Vendor

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  3. Oct 7, 2010 at 6:28 PM
    #3
    Priddle

    Priddle And now for something completely different....

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    Looks great so far. Keep us posted! I may follow your steps when I do mine.
     
  4. Oct 7, 2010 at 6:34 PM
    #4
    REVHARD25

    REVHARD25 Well-Known Member

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    Tint on front windows. Dnx7120 kenwood. Rear tsb springs. Wet okoles seat covers UWS truck box Weathertech floor mats TSB floor mat hook grommets Satoshi grill AFE drop in filter Fumoto drain valve Bed mat
    Its a pain in the butt..but well worth it if it works out :D

    picture new grill.jpg
     
  5. Oct 8, 2010 at 8:33 AM
    #5
    Chris(NJ)

    Chris(NJ) [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Mods are currently being changed .....
    I moved the info from this post to the first one.
     
  6. Oct 8, 2010 at 8:43 AM
    #6
    Zombie Runner

    Zombie Runner Are these black helicopters for me?

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    looking good!

    here's how I did mine. I didnt wanna mess with sanding and waxing and all that. I used rustoleum spray on bed liner

    DSC_1498_9215018fc58cff14b977503f48292da1f9145c1e.jpg
     
  7. Oct 8, 2010 at 8:49 AM
    #7
    blackhawke88

    blackhawke88 wo ai ni bao bei ^_^

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    where are you getting your colormatched paint? assuming you are colormatching
     
  8. Oct 8, 2010 at 2:56 PM
    #8
    TucsonMike

    TucsonMike Blank

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  9. Oct 8, 2010 at 3:05 PM
    #9
    silverback

    silverback Well-Known Member

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    painted door handles, bilstein 5100's front and back, K&N air filter. Precision power component speakers and Kenwood deck.
    I see what your talking about with the brushed aluminum look. I like it!
     
  10. Oct 8, 2010 at 4:21 PM
    #10
    Chris(NJ)

    Chris(NJ) [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks guys!

    Blackhawke88, I'm using an off the shelf duplicolor paint. ANother member told me it was a VERY close match. I'll also be sure to post plenty of pics once I install it, so everyone can see how close (or not) it matches. Iirc, it was paint code 8P4. I'll post the actual paint code when I see the can again. I'm sure it'll be slightly off (compared to the hood), b/c even professional resprays can differ in color tone when sprayed on plastics vs metals, for whatever reason. (at least thats my experience from my last couple of trucks)
     
  11. Oct 8, 2010 at 4:39 PM
    #11
    Nightstr

    Nightstr Well-Known Member

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  12. Oct 8, 2010 at 4:40 PM
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    OffroadToy

    OffroadToy old, forgetful, and decomposing

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    Great job so far...looking forward to seeing the final product.:cheers:
     
  13. Oct 8, 2010 at 8:09 PM
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    pinktaco808

    pinktaco808 Hot Steppa

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  14. Oct 8, 2010 at 8:12 PM
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    charles

    charles Active Member

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    Lookin pretty good!
     
  15. Oct 8, 2010 at 8:33 PM
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    stunt man hans

    stunt man hans DISPLACED VIKING LIVING IN WYOMING

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    i sanded my grill and sprayed it with rustoleum bed liner it matches the bumpers on my reg cab.
     
  16. Oct 9, 2010 at 7:00 AM
    #16
    samhain

    samhain Well-Known Member

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    Looks great. I'm going to be doing this soon myself. Thanks for the write up and keep us posted up to the finished project!
     
  17. Oct 10, 2010 at 2:25 PM
    #17
    ycart1201

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    Nathan
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  18. Oct 10, 2010 at 3:21 PM
    #18
    Priddle

    Priddle And now for something completely different....

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    If one wanted to leave it as a brushed aluminum look, what finishing steps would one have to do? ie, fine sand it? Clear coat it?
     
  19. Oct 10, 2010 at 3:24 PM
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    KEG'sTACO

    KEG'sTACO FJ Cruiser

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    So, you just sprayed it directly onto the grille? If so, how is it holding up?
     
  20. Oct 10, 2010 at 4:03 PM
    #20
    Chris(NJ)

    Chris(NJ) [OP] Well-Known Member

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