Color Matched 1st Gen Grille Surround?

OK guys I think I'm going to bite the bullet and try this. I originally wanted to paint the grille surround black to get rid of the rest of the factory trim color but now I'm leaning towards color matched. I painted the bumper insert with bedliner and have a feeling that more black on the front would be too much. Has anybody else done this? Where can I get color matched Impulse Red Pearl in a spray can? I know these grilles are plastic so what kind of prep work should I do? I kinda want to sand the factory paint off but I don't want to mess it up by taking off plastic underneath either.

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

A generic color matched spray can may not match well enough since paint changes over time. I bought a new bumper cover and took it to a paint shop. They painted it based on the Toyota color code, but it did not match that well. It was most noticeable where the cover came close to the truck paint. I took it back and they had me leave my truck there so they could match it better. It looked great the 2nd try.

They charged me $60 since all they had to do was shoot it. They used paint compatible with plastic.

Matt

 

Can I take it to a paint shop and get them to match it and put it in a spray can for me? Depending on what it would cost I might get them to spray it but I think I can do it myself with decent results

 

I have a white 98 Tacoma. The color code is 045. I did some touch up paint and it did not match.

I took it to an auto paint store and there are 4 alternates of 045 white.

Depending on where your truck was made it may vary slightly. For example, in tree hugger California they may have different environmental regulations so it may be slightly different.

I had a spectrometer take a reading of my paint and it was Alt #4. After that it matched perfectly.

 

I think I saw something on a website saying that you can tell what alternative or whatever you want to call in paint code you have based on the VIN # is that true? And can you order different alternatives in an aerosol can?

 

I'm not sure about that. I took my truck to a local auto paint store and took a spectrometer reading. It cost around $50 for a pint of paint and two spray cans - they mix the paint and put it in the spray cans right there.

Good luck

 

I just color matched the grill of my truck! came out pretty good. I went to a local paint shop and had them mix paint to match factory color in a spray can for $30, they used PPG paint. one of the best out there. color matched pretty dead on.
heres what i used(in order):
400 grit sandpaper to sand it all down, adhesion promoter to make the paint stick, 3 coats of paint, 3 coats of clear

taped off everything except the grill surround. takes time and patience..Do this first! sand everything down well. clean it free of dust. apply 3-4 coats of adhesion promoter

add the coats of paint

add the coats of clear

let it dry for a bit then take off the tape carefully as too not scratch anything. once its dry to the touch, take it out and check the paint and let it bake in the sun.

 

Looks great, Awesome job. I need to do that to the bumper filler (guess that what its called. the peice right about the crome on the bumper)

 

right on thanks. im thinkin of doing that next as well. im just deciding if i will go with the same color or satin black

 

That looks really good. It was easier to tape off the entire front end instead of taking it off the truck to spray?
Matt

 

I think color matched grilles and bumbers look great on pretty much every color but lunar metallic mist...it just doesnt seem to blend as well...

you guys are all lucky with your black, white, green, red, and darker red tacos!

 

very nice job man + it's nice to see a sick dark green taco for once lolol

 

Nice job on that Green Tacoma there. Although I must say it would have been quicker and easier if you would of just took of the grille, literally takes all of 5 mins. to do.

 

Having done body work as a combination man... body/paint for 20 yrs that is an awsome looking job.

 

thank you all! i had planned on taking off the grill but decided not to.. i had already started sanding and such with it on. lol. it came out wayyy better than i expected. after wetsanding and polishing, it came out even better than the factory paint! no orange peel. now the only thing that bothers me are the rock chips on the hood in comparison to the fresh paint on the grill haha

 

i havent seen to many modified around thats for sure!

 

bmxican, nice job! Don't see too many green tacos...really nice!

 

right on thanks

 

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