Ok... 5.5 Grille Painters... Step Inside...
11-30-2006, 11:55 PM
#1
Ok... 5.5 Grille Painters... Step Inside...
ok... now that the headlights are completly done... Its time for the grille...
The head lights look B E A Utiful and id like to kinda match them with a Darker 5.5 grille...
so....
What kinda prep work does the 5.5 grille need?
Who has Painted their grille theirself?(NOT BODY SHOP) Results? pics?
What kinda paint did you use...?
Was a Clear coat needed/used?
Headlights are black(pics tomorrow) what would be a good color to match?
I dunno if i wanna go all out black...heres a couple options i thought of....
1. Reverse paint it... Silver in the back (where the black was) And black on the front (where the silver used to be)
2. All Black
3. Gunmetal type color
4. Metallic color...unsure about that one...
5. Just repaint it stock
6. Paint it Merlot(last option as i dont wanna have to try and match my body)
Any thoughts, suggestions, or ideas.... just shoot em my way...
i already searched and didnt come up with alot...
So come on guys help me out...
thanks in ADVANCE!
The head lights look B E A Utiful and id like to kinda match them with a Darker 5.5 grille...
so....
What kinda prep work does the 5.5 grille need?
Who has Painted their grille theirself?(NOT BODY SHOP) Results? pics?
What kinda paint did you use...?
Was a Clear coat needed/used?
Headlights are black(pics tomorrow) what would be a good color to match?
I dunno if i wanna go all out black...heres a couple options i thought of....
1. Reverse paint it... Silver in the back (where the black was) And black on the front (where the silver used to be)
2. All Black
3. Gunmetal type color
4. Metallic color...unsure about that one...
5. Just repaint it stock
6. Paint it Merlot(last option as i dont wanna have to try and match my body)
Any thoughts, suggestions, or ideas.... just shoot em my way...
i already searched and didnt come up with alot...
So come on guys help me out...
thanks in ADVANCE!
12-01-2006, 06:00 AM
#2
Black or Merlot. IMO Color matches look good, but since you did the headlights black, a black grille won't look bad at all. The rest would look terrible.
I just did mine in Black (to match). Came out pretty good if I do say so myself. I didn't take it to a shop, just took my time.
My stuff: Duplicolor Sandable Primer, Black Lacquer, Clear Lacquer (clearcoat), 400 & 1000 grit sandpaper.
Steps: Remove grille (3 bolts on top, 4 clips on bottom, I kinda just yanked it out after the bolts), Emblem clips out.
Clean, and wetsand 400 grit. Spray primer. Repeat once more.
Spray Black, wetsand 1000 grit (not hard, just to get imperfections out), repeat 3-4 more times. Last time, don't sand.
Spray Clear, wetsand 1000 grit very lightly, repeat a few times, after last spray don't sand.
Go by the drying times on the cans. You should be good.
Btw, if you want to Match up the Merlot, check this site out: http://www.paintscratch.com/
I'll post a picture of mine in a second. It didn't come out too glossy, nor too flat. Looks good IMO.
I just did mine in Black (to match). Came out pretty good if I do say so myself. I didn't take it to a shop, just took my time.
My stuff: Duplicolor Sandable Primer, Black Lacquer, Clear Lacquer (clearcoat), 400 & 1000 grit sandpaper.
Steps: Remove grille (3 bolts on top, 4 clips on bottom, I kinda just yanked it out after the bolts), Emblem clips out.
Clean, and wetsand 400 grit. Spray primer. Repeat once more.
Spray Black, wetsand 1000 grit (not hard, just to get imperfections out), repeat 3-4 more times. Last time, don't sand.
Spray Clear, wetsand 1000 grit very lightly, repeat a few times, after last spray don't sand.
Go by the drying times on the cans. You should be good.
Btw, if you want to Match up the Merlot, check this site out: http://www.paintscratch.com/
I'll post a picture of mine in a second. It didn't come out too glossy, nor too flat. Looks good IMO.
12-01-2006, 08:12 AM
#5
No problem, I'll try to get a better pic when the car is clean. Unfortunately, its raining now then projected snow during/after the weekend. Good luck with the project. It was fun for me, especially driving the car without a grille for a couple of days.
12-01-2006, 08:13 AM
#6
I just finished mine last night. I did it to match the textured finish I did in my headlights. It looks like textured plastic. I just took some pics for now but the car is really dirty. I'm afraid I'd get banned for a few weeks if I posted pics of my car in that state.
You can check them out here though. http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrow...der_id=1790887
You can check them out here though. http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrow...der_id=1790887
looks more smooth that way hah
12-01-2006, 03:24 PM
#11
You should paint the grille to match the body IMO. I think I saw a merlot color in Pep Boys. Yes you need to clear it, it'll last longer and the finish will match a lot better.
If you do go with a color then go with something that will flow better with the merlot color. All black I'm just not feelin that.
If you do go with a color then go with something that will flow better with the merlot color. All black I'm just not feelin that.
12-01-2006, 05:57 PM
#13
Originally Posted by bigmike8771
nothing to do with your paint, but im feeling your setup in your trunk, did you do the work?
thanks for the compliments!!!!!!
hopefully i will get some good pics in the mornin when the sun comes up!!!!
12-01-2006, 10:40 PM
#15
I panted mine black, look good and matches my tint, plus i plna on tinting the houseing onthe headlights.
I wet snaded with 2000 grid sand paper, and paint with some kralon platic paint, did a few coats and some wet sanding in between.
Come out pritty good.
I wet snaded with 2000 grid sand paper, and paint with some kralon platic paint, did a few coats and some wet sanding in between.
Come out pritty good.
12-01-2006, 11:04 PM
#16
Originally Posted by maxspeed96CT
I panted mine black, look good and matches my tint, plus i plna on tinting the houseing onthe headlights.
I wet snaded with 2000 grid sand paper, and paint with some kralon platic paint, did a few coats and some wet sanding in between.
Come out pritty good.
I wet snaded with 2000 grid sand paper, and paint with some kralon platic paint, did a few coats and some wet sanding in between.
Come out pritty good.
12-01-2006, 11:29 PM
#17
off topic on my own thread... i see you have a AFCII... how does that work? is it hard to hookup, or to program? U can send me a PM if you want...thanks bro
Originally Posted by 2k2PhatMax
Did you use a clear coat ?
12-02-2006, 04:01 AM
#18
Came out nicely. If you didn't use a clear then you should. Plain and simple.
With that being said I still thin you should've went with the body color. I think it would've flowed a lot better. I guess I'm partial to that though so it's like whatever...
With that being said I still thin you should've went with the body color. I think it would've flowed a lot better. I guess I'm partial to that though so it's like whatever...
12-02-2006, 05:50 AM
#19
Originally Posted by Orgullo
Came out nicely. If you didn't use a clear then you should. Plain and simple.
With that being said I still thin you should've went with the body color. I think it would've flowed a lot better. I guess I'm partial to that though so it's like whatever...
With that being said I still thin you should've went with the body color. I think it would've flowed a lot better. I guess I'm partial to that though so it's like whatever...
would have done body color but couldnt find the paint in a can, and i dont feel like spending the money to have a shop paint just my grill.
Yes i did do a very thin coat of clear coat. For some reaon the clear was giving me problems tho, orange peal and etc..... had to wet sand it alot.
As for the afc, is easy to hook up , theres directions in the stickies, and you gotta have a shop that knows what they are doing tune it.
12-02-2006, 07:58 AM
#20
I saw a merlot color paint at PepBoys yesterday. However, you have Pu$$y Pink so I'm sure you would have a hard time matching that. Ha...
By the way it's better to put your clear on a couple of days later. Especially Clear in a can.
By the way it's better to put your clear on a couple of days later. Especially Clear in a can.
12-02-2006, 10:53 PM
#21
Originally Posted by Orgullo
I saw a merlot color paint at PepBoys yesterday. However, you have Pu$$y Pink so I'm sure you would have a hard time matching that. Ha...
By the way it's better to put your clear on a couple of days later. Especially Clear in a can.
By the way it's better to put your clear on a couple of days later. Especially Clear in a can.
Black front and Merlot in the back... it looks so sick!
I will post pics soon... but as you said body color does look the best... this is temporary until i have a reason to go to the body shop... paying for a grille to be painted = 200 or so buckos... asking them to paint the grille while there painting a body kit lip or the front bumper and it might be 20 bucks if not free... but this temporary fix is lookin better ever minute!
12-03-2006, 12:42 PM
#23
Originally Posted by 2k2PhatMax
I got my supplies at Pepboys... they dont have merlot what so ever... they had one that is so close you cant tell a difference but the name is different... im 80% done with my grille....
Black front and Merlot in the back... it looks so sick!
I will post pics soon... but as you said body color does look the best... this is temporary until i have a reason to go to the body shop... paying for a grille to be painted = 200 or so buckos... asking them to paint the grille while there painting a body kit lip or the front bumper and it might be 20 bucks if not free... but this temporary fix is lookin better ever minute!
Black front and Merlot in the back... it looks so sick!
I will post pics soon... but as you said body color does look the best... this is temporary until i have a reason to go to the body shop... paying for a grille to be painted = 200 or so buckos... asking them to paint the grille while there painting a body kit lip or the front bumper and it might be 20 bucks if not free... but this temporary fix is lookin better ever minute!
nice, post up the pics and the color you bought asap bro!
12-04-2006, 03:22 PM
#27
update... the cold weather is killing my painting ability... i went for the last coat and it orange pealed on me... so i may just end up painting the whole thing black... but gotta wait till the weather gets warmer...
12-05-2006, 06:32 PM
#30
Originally Posted by Greeneyes
That looks great! I wanted to do what you did with the mesh there! How did you get it to stay and how did you do it?
I'm also selling them painted and ready to install if you don't want the headache of cutting and fitting them.
12-05-2006, 08:32 PM
#31
Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 74
Originally Posted by Greeneyes
Not very good pictures..... but I paint matched my grille also.... Better pics later....
Oil spots on the ground definately not from my Max!
Closer look....
Oil spots on the ground definately not from my Max!
Closer look....
12-06-2006, 01:08 PM
#32
Paint it Merlot. You may also want to do your engine cover as well. Go to my cardomain to see what the engine bay looks like when the cover is painted. My sig should show the grill. I'll get a better pic up soon.
12-06-2006, 01:31 PM
#33
Originally Posted by Derrick2k2SE
There's a how to near the end of this thread. http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=488890
I'm also selling them painted and ready to install if you don't want the headache of cutting and fitting them.
I'm also selling them painted and ready to install if you don't want the headache of cutting and fitting them.
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