Finally Color Matched my Grill....

I used the color matched paint in spray bomb form via ebay. Sanded down with 220 grit paper, adhesion promoted and used a plastic primer. I DO NOT recommend the plastic primer because you cannot sand it, i didn't know this and when i applied my first color coat the places i wet sanded didn't stick. so after i re sanded everything and re applied the primer then laid down the color coat it all stuck fine. Anyway..on to the pictures.

Before



Waiting...



Drying...




And INSTALLED !!!!





To anyone wanting to do this, instead of taping up the whole grill i would recommend taking just the chrome piece off, you'll have alot less headache and alot better quality. I didn't do any in process pics because i just followed the thread already posted as my how-to.

 

looking really good bro...i love the color match grille...especially with Satoshi (RGM & RBM) mod...

 

did u clear it? and who makes the color matched paint and do they have all the toyota colors?

 

that looks great!! great job

 

wow man that looks great

 

Looks very good, I have paint on the way for mine. How long did it take you, and how many coats did you do? Thanks for the tip on the plastic primer, I already ordered mine so I'll use it, but now I know not to sand it.

 

Looks great, good job!

 

Looks great, good job...

 

it is cleared...make sure that you use an enamel clear when you do it. Mine still needs to be buffed out. Apply the first coat of base, let it dry for about 5-10 minutes till its not dry but its not wet...it should be "tacky" at this point. then do another coat of base, you can even throw a 3rd on there. Remember to lay the paint on lightly to avoid runs. For the clear apply 2 light coats about 3 minutes apart then lay the 3rd down heavy after about 10 minutes from the 2nd coat. One can will get you about 3 base coats for the grill.

I plan on ordering a black grill from certifit to color match (my grill is the grey metallic color) so this was really just a test run and while the spray can did good, it just doesn't come out as smooth as from a gun which relates into more sanding work etc. My next grill will be sprayed via paint gun.

 

I don't think you're ever supposed to sand plastic primer, or plastic adhesion promoter. What you do is apply another coat of regular primer and sand that if needed.

Plastic "primers" and adhesions promoters are more like etchers that allow the next coat to bind with the plastic.

 

Yea i've never used a "plastic" primer but saw it and figured i'd give it a try. I know that you don't sand promoter but i didn't think about the primer.

 

Looks good, time for some new tires... what lift do you have?

 

Looks awsome!

 

Yea im trying to wait for the stockers to wear down...i got about a 120 mile round trip to work so it shouldn't be long and i'll be ordering some goodyear duratracs. The lift is a Procomp 3in, i love it...it rides great.

 

So the chrome piece CAN be removed? I was wondering about this. I contacted a dealer to asked the body shop about getting my grille painted and they said that painting over chromed plastic is not recommended because of long term durability issues. They said if you are going to color match buy a white or black stock grille to paint.

 

It can be, you have to melt/break the tabs, then plastic weld or epoxy them back on. The chrome piece can't be purchased seperately as far as i know. Of course a whole grill from certifit is only like 45 bucks or so.

 

you did a very nice job!

 

Which part?

 

TYTC10KC if you are gonna paint it.

KB is black..stock on base model trucks
KA is chrome..like mine and sr5 trucks

 

Uood8....do you think the grille from certfit would fit my 2010? I tried calling but the genius who answered the phone was a complete BBBEEEEEEIIIIIOOOTTTTCCCCHHHH so i hung up on her. I might just buy it, 45 bucks who cares. The stealership said they could get me one for 275!!!