MGM factory grill color doesn't match my truck

So the story goes like this...
I purchased a used MGM factory grill from a member off here and when I went to install it the paint doesn’t match my truck at all. Am I missing something? Are there two different grays that I don’t know about or anything I can do to darken your the grill so it matches my truck?

 

MGM is probably the hardest color to match with factory paint.
There’s only one paint code, but the age of each paint job, conditions it’s lived in, care it has received, when and where it was sprayed by the robots... etc... all have an effect on the lightness and darkness of the MGM.

You quickly search google, you’ll see many other MGM trucks have slightly mismatched panels according to the owners.

Not sure what can be done to fix, maybe a re-paint. Even a shop may have a hard time matching to your exact paint.

 

Oh mannn this just happened to me. I bought a used one of ebay and didn't realize it was as scratched up as it was and it's like a light gray. It's so much better than the chrome piece but I'm still a little annoyed because I notice it and feel like it sticks out like a sore thumb. I would just throw it on the truck and then try and forget about it. That's what I did.

 

I think I’m gonna sell it and try again... anyone need a MGM grill?

 

Here is what mine looks like. Not sure if yours is better or worse than mine.

 

Was wondering where you picked up your grill and how long it take to install. Thinking about installing a pro grill too!!

 

You might just run into the same problem again. I would take it to a paint shop.

 

I got mine from running4tacos for $200 shipped to Hawaii. I bought the color-matched grill surround piece and it took a total of about 20 minutes to take my old grill off and install the new one with the color-matched piece. It looks great and I love it but the only problem I’ve had (if you want to call it that) is that the letters seem pretty cheap and the Y has kind of bent and is leaning and I’m not sure how. Idk if it’s the same on the official pro grills you can buy from Toyota but it happened to this one. Not a huge deal just a bit annoying.

[Edit] just looked and I’m actually kind of annoyed because I just bought my grill but they are on sale right now for $109 you can’t really beat that.

 

That grill surround is probably from a base model Tacoma with the unpainted bumper covers. I had the same thing happen several years ago when I was replacing my chrome grill. I purchased a grill surround off Craigslist advertised as MGM but once I installed it I noticed it didn't match. It was a metallic gray but had more of a golden tint to it in the sunlight. I ended up purchasing a brand new MGM surround from Camelback Toyota that matched perfect.

My post from several years ago with pic:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/what-color-grille-is-this-solved.379134/#post-10404784 (my truck is on left with incorrect grill installed. Truck on right is base model Tacoma with MGM paint & unpainted bumpers. The grill doesn't match on it either.)

 

That’s so odd. I wonder what the situation is with my surround piece considering it is not pyrite mica but it’s not like the rest of my truck. I saw a lot of comments saying that’s just how mgms are but idk that doesn’t seem right.

 

That grill surround was taken from a base Tacoma with the unpainted gray bumpers. It's not the MGM color you are looking for. It's a metallic gray but it has a golden tint to it when compared to the MGM color.

 

That looks exactly like the grill I have

 

Thank you guys, I was sold a base model grill and that’s why the color is so off!

 

This post speaks the truth. If anyone were to look down a line of brand new vehicles on the dealer lot you'll notice that the bumpers (and other pieces like handles, moldings, etc.) don't match exactly. It's a known thing in the autobody world. While it is possible to obtain a very good match, more often than not it will have some variation of the original color. This is one of the reasons why blending the surrounding panels is typically performed.
If you do decide to sell that grille surround, I would be interested.

 

I already purchased another MGM grill and will sell the one I have

 

See your pm, 81Trekker. I have a white 2015 on which I'm looking to change the chrome surround.

 

I'm interested in the grille surround, unless it's already spoken for.

 

It’s available

 

Pm sent

 

I think (?) I have dibs, pyrite4t3, but we'll see when the op gets to his email.