2016 Grille Diagram

I'll leave this here. I plan on removing the grille this weekend and painting it matte black. A quick look over and it looks like removing it will be a bitch.

I plan on heavy sanding, 2 coats primer, 3 coats black, 3 coats clear. Any pointers?

Let's use this thread to post tips and hints on removing and painting the grille.

 

Having done it it's really not too bad. It's intimidating messing with something so new though. There are two metal screws on top of the radiator support, and then two plastic push pins to remove. Once those are off there are some clips along the bottom that you need to pull with some pressure to release. That's the scariest part. The grill is two pieces and held in with a handful of phillips head screws. Also getting the chrome ring and grill out of the assembly sucks because of the multiple clips that hold it in. I broke one of the tabs getting it off . But I'm not worried since it still secure, and I'm holding out for a possible TRD Pro grill in the future.

 

Glad to see ya on TW!

In all fairness everyone, 2T3X1 gave me the diagram on Reddit.

I'll post pictures when I eventually get to the project.

 

i've seen a few pics floating around here of people who used plastidip to fix the out of place chrome look. matte black definitely gives it a meaner look. might be a little easier remedy than sanding/painting

 

I'm very familiar with plasti-dip. I've dipped all the emblems and it turned out great.

Dipping the grille may be a problem. Plasti-dip doesn't hold up well to debris and scuffs. First rock that taps it and I wouldn't be surprised if the dip is ruined. I'm hoping the paint and clear coat give me a more permanent mod.

 

I think it depends on how thick you put it on. I slather that stuff like it's going out of style. Makes it a lot thicker to withstand debris and car washes, and makes it much easier to remove than thin coats.

 

I think the Toyota emblem painted quicksand would look good against the blacked out grille.

 

Isn't the OEM chrome sort of a darkened chrome. Hopefully someone pulls the grill and does a proper chrome treatment to it.

 

With all that surface area up front, I could see that dip needing to be re-applied at least once a year to stay nice. Not to mention obnoxious to peel off each time. Has any considered hydro-dipping it black, or some other pattern?

 

Paint will chip, just ask all the BMW guys that paint their grills. Dip would hold up better.

 

great idea!

 

Why buy the Black SR grille and do an easy swap.

 

just did mine!

 

I photo-hack-jobbed this:

 

What about Duracoat? If they use it on weapons why wouldn't it hold up to road use? Might be a good test.

 

As mentioned the chrome surround tabs suck. It's white abs instead of poly; a lot more brittle.
I laid a blanket out on the carpet to help protect it. I also used socks to stuff in between things so the clips wouldn't re-engage.

 

Did mine last night. The chrome outer needs to come out first, then the center mesh will unclip. Careful with the chrome logo it is brittle. I am thinking I will go body color with the outer thin surround to make the grill look slightly smaller.

This is what it looks like now.

 

I think that would look good.

 

Is that rhinoliner? Thats actually a really good idea for durability. They also make a spray can of bedliner that may hold up better than plastidip. I always get worried with plastidip and carwashes.