Re-painting front grille trim?

[PTFunk]

My front grilles (the headlight surrounds; not the kidneys) are looking fairly beat, particularly the "chrome" trim around the edges. Before I jump into buying replacements, I was considering painting them.

Just to confirm, though: the "chrome" is just painted plastic, right? If so, which paint (and clear coat?) would you recommend to get a nice finish? I'd like something that stands up to both UV and "sand blasting" in the course of normal driving.

[dwcains]

The kidneys on mine are pretty sandblasted, so I'm thinking about vinyl wrapping them. There are some films available which look like chrome or polished aluminum, and the film would hide the pitting.

[ron]

[quote="PTFunk"] Just to confirm, though: the "chrome" is just painted plastic, right? /quote]

No, they are metal strips. They can be removed with a pair of long-nosed pliers by bending the locking tangs carefully as they are fragile.

The last ones I did I painted satin black as the car was "shadow-lined".

[olympia57]

The kidneys on mine are pretty sandblasted, so I'm thinking about vinyl wrapping them. There are some films available which look like chrome or polished aluminum, and the film would hide the pitting.

Do it , it'll work .

[dwcains]

I'll post some pics when it's done.

[olympia57]

I'll post some pics when it's done.

These are in my project thread but just to let you see the effect again. That's nearly two years since I did mine and they're still perfect .Different light units but both suffered identical pitting and corrosion

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IMGP1049.JPG (1.42 MiB) Viewed 5682 times

[dwcains]

That's a nice result. My kidneys aren't nearly that bad, the aluminum is just sandblasted and dull.

[sansouci]

Is the original Chrome plating over plastic?

[ron]

Is the original Chrome plating over plastic?

See 3rd. post above.

[PTFunk]

No, they are metal strips. They can be removed with a pair of long-nosed pliers by bending the locking tangs carefully as they are fragile.

Thanks, Ron. This doesn't change my painting strategy a whole lot, other than using the right primer beforehand. If the strips are separable from the grilles, that should save time on masking!

[dwcains]

Do you want the strips to look like the original chrome finish? If so, I'd say the only viable option is the vinyl wrap. If you want the black " shadow lines" look, then primer/paint will do the trick.

[PTFunk]

Do you want the strips to look like the original chrome finish? If so, I'd say the only viable option is the vinyl wrap. If you want the black " shadow lines" look, then primer/paint will do the trick.

I've seen some good reviews for Plastikote 615 Chrome Bumper paint, but I'd be totally open to trying the vinyl wrap option. Can you recommend a brand/type?

[dwcains]

I think this stuff will do it, but I won't be sure until I try. Should be here in a few days, and I should have a chance to try it within the next week or so. I've got a adjustable heat gun, which I'm sure is a necessity.

https://www.amazon.com/12x60Chrome-Mirr ... vinyl+wrap