Color Match that Grill!

Hey guys, finally got around to color matching my grill.

$38 in paint sounded better than $180+ for a painted grill.

And I would have to say it came out 9/10 no worse than the dealership body shop that painted my lip kit on my previous car.


Here is a little write up for those looking to do it themselves, I know painting might seem scary because you don't want to mess it up. I have sprayed a few bumpers and body panels with guns, but spray cans is the scary part.


First you need your paint code and paint obviously. I buy mine off of www.Automotivetouchup.com. Awesome site, easy to use. Some might think it's a little pricey (It cost me $38 for a can of color, clear and shipping). My local paint shop quoted me $87 for a 12oz can of galaxy silver that I got from Automotivetouchup for $19.95. Choose your paint and proceed.


First take your grill off. 2 screws on top, 2 pop up clips on the headlights and 2 down at the base by the radiator.




Then you need to remove the chrome part, a screw driver, some patience (which I usually lack) and a few minutes later it's off. I was pretty rough with mine and didn't break any tabs. Going into winter, anyone in cold areas you want this to be room temperature before trying to get the tabs out. YUP THAT'S FLUID FILM V




Here is everything I used. Edit! My paint peeled. This scuff pad was NOT ENOUGH. You will need something more abrasive! I used a 100grit sanding sponge this time. We will see how it turns out!




Scuff your chrome up. You don't want it smooth! My paint peeled. This scuff pad was NOT ENOUGH. You will need something more abrasive! I used a 100grit sanding sponge this time. We will see how it turns out!




Use your prep-all/surface cleaner to wipe sanding dust off. You don't want this under your paint obviously.




Start by lightly misting on your primer the first coat, followed by another coat or 2 to completely cover it. I used self etching which is usually for metal because it works very good. Prep all between each coat.




Soon you will have it completely painted (no I did not paint inside)




I sprayed a bit of my color because I couldn't wait. ATU gives you a card to spray and send to them if it does not match. I have ordered 4 colors (metallic silver, metallic gold, sand colored metallic and my metallic green). Every can has been spot on!



The ride to my parents heated garage, puppy is in the back seat. I don't normally walk my grill on a leash






Mist on your base color after using prepall again! I started with all the edges, then did the forward facing part. You want the paint to wrap the panel so it doesn't peel at the edges.




Go over each area twice(prep all in between), this keeps it wet enough to flow together but does not run. Paint looks black until light hits it.





preview of color



Panel is on top of the bed



Prep all between all the coats of clear (make sure it's dry!) First coat of clear is done in this picture. I also did 2 passes in each section to let the clear flow together. Because mine looks black when light isn't on it I couldn't see the bottom left corner and got a run in the clear on the 3rd or 4th coat. Since then it has shrunk (it's drying now) and is about half the size. Should sand and buff right out




dat gloss



Came out beautiful. Everyone is impressed with how good I did with my rattle cans. Like I said, I have painted before but I'm no professional. This picture is killer though!

 

Bad ass and good job

 

looks awesome man! i color matched my grill with the duplicator paint, and the color is dead on but their clear coat sucks! no shine what so ever (it was a gloss one) so i'll definitely be ordering from here when i redo it.

 

The clear they have is amazing! I have used duplicolor before too and this stuff is amazing

 

subd
ordering my paint tomorrow. Been putting off this project. Great write up op!

 

Great job.. looks tits.

 

Nice ! Looks perfect !

 

STUPID crazy match!!

 

nice job!!!

 

I think I might actually do mine now. Thanks for the good write up.

 

Looks good, I have all my paint (Same place) sitting in the garage waiting for the long weekend, Im gonna color match and do my grillcraft and lights all in one swoop. When I do mine Im gonna do a little test, primer like you did and adhesion promoter on another spot, I want to see what holds up better to rocks and chipping. Im gonna use UPOL clear just because I have a gallon of it handy and shoot it from the gun, it will probably be shinier than the factory paint.

 

mine came painted the same color as truck was that stock? i was thinking of doing the center part of the grill.

 

some come color matched

 

The little run I put in the clear coat is about 1/3 the size as when i noticed it. Maybe by morning it will shrink completely!

Probably not, I will wet sand it in a few days and respray that spot and slap it on the truck!

Now to come up with $215 for some Mini H1s to retrofit

 

Wow that turned out super nice.
So u waited each coat to dry and wiped with prep all? i didn't know ur suppose to keep using that ? I thought only before the 1st coat?
Also how long did u waited each coat before wiping with prep all?

 

It's the same thing as using a tack cloth I guess. I waited until it was dry to the touch so nothing would get messed up. I didn't spray it on the panel, I sprayed my microfiber quick and just did a light wipe down.

Then I did a quick dusting to make sure everything was good for the new paint

 

I am awful with rattle cans lol, i planned on just plasti dipping the grill to white with perarlizer.
Don't want to cough up $180 for a painted grill lol

 

Look up a couple videos, I did mine and it was easy.

Just overlap your coats, as soon as the coat looks even and glossy all over (no dry patches) stop and let it dry before the next coat.

You feel the need to put "just a little more on" and that is when you see runs

 

Update!



Before



Plastidipped lower insert and emblem (shown in final pics)




Color matched grill. Looks so much better!

 

looks good