Paint question grille, graphite metallic

[Ron46]

Hey guys, I recently bought a grille that I want to sand down and color match, does anybody know where I can get graphite metallic paint to match my truck, or am I better off just prepping it and having a auto body place paint it. Also does anybody know where I can get some clips for the grille too? thanks

 

[08SolarFlareH3]

The plastic grille retainer clips are GM part #11561829 and they list for $6.74ea. You can order them from your local GM dealer (cheaper then online after shipping). As for paint, I know people who have got paint from paintscratch.com for small items but don't know how well it would match on something as big as a grille. Is the grille chrome or painted? I personally had mine painted by the local Chevy dealer.


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[Ron46]

ok thanks! and it is chrome, but I was going to sand it down and prime it

 

[08SolarFlareH3]

ok thanks! and it is chrome, but I was going to sand it down and prime it

Most shops people approach won't touch a chrome grille or won't guarantee that it will hold up. They say it's a 50/50 shot. Talk to Jared (Nacho), I know he had his chrome grille painted and as far as I know it's holding up fine.


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[08SolarFlareH3]

Another person you can talk to is Dwight (backwoods), I know he painted his chrome grille himself. Iirc the first time he power washed it, all the paint came off. I know he repainted it (not sure what he did differently) and it held up better.


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[Nacho]

Most shops people approach won't touch a chrome grille or won't guarantee that it will hold up. They say it's a 50/50 shot. Talk to Jared (Nacho), I know he had his chrome grille painted and as far as I know it's holding up fine.

The shop that did mine took care of the prep work for me. I believe all the painter did was self etching primer. The was grill done in November of last year and everything is holding up fine. The paint on the grill actually looks better then the paint on the rest of the truck still. Also whoever you have paint it remind them to paint the backside edges of the grill.

 

[08SolarFlareH3]

Also whoever you have paint it remind them to paint the backside edges of the grill.

Yep, like Jared said make sure you remind them to paint the back side edge of the grille. Most shops don't know you can see the edge when it's installed on the vehicle. The shop that painted mine neglected to paint it and I didn't notice until I had it installed. I ended up taking it back off and having the dealer fix it. They were great about it though. The apologized and had it back to me the next day. I also order a grille clip to sell my old chrome grille and they gave it to me free of charge for the hassle. It's nice having a dealer that actually cares about your business.




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[06 H3]

I did two grilles. First one I scuffed up, used adhesion promoter, and painted it and it came off. Then I repainted it again and same results...then I broke that grille off road and got a new one. I had a buddy sandblast it...Be careful sandblasting it as it is plastic and you dont want to destroy the plastic, you just want to get rid of the chrome. Then after the sandblasting I sanded it down and then primed it and bedlined it. It has held up AWESOME for about a year now. I powerwashed it, trees hit it and every type of abuse imaginable it has held up extremely well. It was cheap but took a lot of time...Much more time then the first grille but so worth it. Now I just need a grille guard with a wrap around so I dont break this one. If I do I will cry because this one turned out well. lol