How do I properly paint my chrome grill??

Ok guys, I need your expertise advice here! I have a mint shape 09 grill that is chrome with the Anthracite center and I want to paint the chrome surround black sand pearl. Can I properly do this without it ever chipping?? If so, how? Any help would greatly be appreciated! I plan on ordering some color match paint from Ebay or somewhere to do it. Just want to know how I should prep the chrome for proper adhesion and duribility.

 

prep is key...................clean with dish soap and a scotchbrite pad. then......use a few coats of adhesion promoter......helps paint stick real good. then paint it.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/32534-painted-my-grill-today.html

the search bar is your friend

 

Thanks guys... Yeah I saw that thread but that was the only one that really explained it good. Just wanted to get other opinions. What about with this cold weather coming up?? Should I have any problems with the paint curing properly??

 

Make sure you let it dry long enough. I drove with it on two soon and it chipped easily. I just sanded mine down and going to respray soon. I used adhesion promoter the first time but I'm going to use primmer this time. I was surprised how easily the top coat came off using the adhesion promoter. Don't dry with any fans or anything to speed up drying, you'll only get dust on them. Take your time to prep.

 

you'll definitely wanna make sure you leave the grill in a relatively warm area to cure, as it'll take a good bit longer to cure in the cold.

 

Unless im wrong, the whole grill is nothing but plastic. As long as you scuff sand the chrome good, the paint should have no problem sticking. When is did my center grill ( kept the chrome ), i just scuff sanded the plastic and painted. turned out great.





I did clean with rubbing alchol before painting. Waxed about a week later on the truck

 

Thanks but chrome is different even though it is plastic. I painted the one on my 04 about 2 years ago (sanded, primed, then painted) and it still chipped after being on a while from bugs and crap. I didn't use adhesion promoter so hopefully that will help this time around and I plan to use acrylic enamel instead of duplicolor spray paint.

 

I must have missed this post. Well not sure about adhesion promoter now. I might just use primer and let it dry longer. Maybe I can find some more solid info...

 

update?

 

I had my chrome grille colormatched last week. The bodyshop would not use adhesion promoter and would only guarantee it not to chip or flake if they sandblasted all the chrome off. The total cost was 75.00 and it is a perfect match.

 

This place is like the iphone.There's A Post For That!

 

Before





After

 

thank you maybe i should have them do it then it would cost me about 40$ in material and then the time and labor.

 

Where do you get the color matched spray paint?

 

Advance Auto Parts sells duplicolor spray paint to match factory colors.

 

I just finished mine. I sanded real good with 150 grit then 400 grit.
3 coats of primer, 3 coats of paint I had a autobody supplier mix for me. Then two light coats of clear and 1 heavy. Turned out good. I let it dry for a week in my house. Waiting to see how it holds up.

 

Keep in mind, nothing will keep it from chipping. If a stone hits it, it's going to chip, whether you do it, or a body shop does it.

If you do get a bodyshop to do the work, you can ask them to put "elastic" additive in the clear. It helps repel rocks, etc... a bit better, and makes the clear less likely to chip when hit with rocks, etc...

 

I bought a cap 2nd hand a couple months ago, brought it & the grill to a reputable body shop for paint. They did a great job on the topper, but wouldnt touch the grill since they warranty thier work.