Painting (color matching TRD grills)

I am thinking of getting one of the TRD grills for my 2007 tacoma.I see that some have color matched them. Does that need to be done by a body shop or is it done with rattle cans matched to the paint code.Thanks for any input.

 

I diy’d mine with Duplicolor matched paint.



Prep work is key.

 

You did the mirrors and handles too?

 

Toyota also sells the grills pre-painted. They're about $250 and right now Toyota has a code for free shipping with orders over $65 (HOTSHIP).

I believe the silver version is 5310004370B0.

 

What is the correct way to do the prep? I have some color matched paint.

 

I did the handles. I purchased the mirrors

 

Duplicolor is great....did my grille with rattle cans from a local shop that ACTUALLY carried it on the shelf. As far as prep work, you will need to start by sanding down the insert. You will likely need to add an adhesion promoter, then prime it, then sand it again with a finer grit, then use the color matched rattle can process. After that I recommend a high end clear coat to protect your work. It will also give it that nice shine. Also, depending on how much sun fade there is in the OEM paint, you'll probably want to wash/wax everything to get a closer match.

 

Following. I'm wanting to replace my grill and chrome surround, but really don't want to pay a body shop to paint it if I can avoid it.

 

I did it with my OEM as well. Slightly less quality in my work on it, but the same concept. Scuff the chrome surround, add the promoter, prime, paint, clearcoat. @tred_fox on Instagram has the OEM. I'll post a pic of the new grille with the final clearcoat on there today/tomorrow, but there are a couple with a cosmetic clear on there before I decided on final color/coats.

 

Oven cleaner if it’s chrome to remove chrome.

Then scuff it with 180.

High build primer.

Sand 320.

High build primer.

Wet sand 400 until smooth.

Color spray desired coats.

Clear spray desired coats.

Color sand orange peel.

Cut.

Buff.

wax.

Seal.