Billet Grille concern..

Does anyone know a way to touch up a Billet Grille? I'll try to upload some pics tomorrow, but my major concern was that its aluminum and its beginning to chip off at some parts. Its not visible really, only when you get up and into the trucks face.

 

you mean like chips in the black paint on the grille?

 

huh? i mean there are strips of aluminum coming off revealing a gray-colored plastic grill underneath

 

guess the grille you have isn't a true billet aluminum insert? Its an entire grille thats just a chromed plastic copy of one then.... like this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2005...Q5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_4090wt_1165

Am I right?

 

ya like that one

 

In that case, I dont really think there's much that you can do aside from eliminating the chrome by sanding it and painting it.... maybe someone else will have an idea. Sorry to say, but since you're saying the chrome finish is peeling off the plastic, only option I see is smoothing where its chipped off and then just covering it with paint.
If you've bought the grille recently, maybe try and get a warranty claim from the manufacturer or seller?

 

thanks for your help Eric, I really dont think i can sand out all of the bars on the grill individually and repaint them, i dont think i have the patients for that. ill probly end up buying a real grill, as this one was a gift given to me about 3 years ago from my gf. I'll post some pics in 9-11 hours and you be the judge of whether or not it needs to be taken care of (aside from the dirt/dead bugs on it)

 

I would just sand it down and paint it black. Wouldn't even take long, just sand the front.

 

x2..If yours is like mine, aluminum on the front with black backing, just surface sand the "aluminum/chrome" to get it smooth and the gloss off.(#300 grit sandpaper). You don't have to sand the black areas between the bars. 2 coats of Adhesion Promoter, 2 coats of black semi gloss acrylic enamel, 2 coats of clear..Mine has held up for 3 mos, no chips, matches the truck..Very easy to do..

 

^ that is exactly what I did to mine also.

 

Is that all you did. Seems to easy. I was planning on getting a billet grill also but wasn't sure if i could paint it myself. If its that easy I will sure give it a try. You should write a how to also. I like the grillcraft but its pricy, but looks better than a chrome grill. I can get the billet on ebay cheap and just paint it black. Grill looks awesome.

 

My grille is just a cheap ebay billet aluminum insert for the stock grille that I painted black. All it takes is a light sanding, primer and paint. Easy as pie!