My grill needs help.. suggestions?

[Quick]

The original grill on my truck is starting to look bad. That paint is coming off. What would you guys recommend I do? I want to keep it the same color as my truck. Should I just paint over it or should I somehow remove the paint. It really does need a new coat.

 

[RFR2212]

Depends....you can have a paint shop do it, or you can wet sand it down, use a plastic adhesion paint, then primer then paint...I'll go into more detail if you would like, but those are the basics of the 2 things I know to do.
Pete

 

[fox]

Hi i had to replace my grill when i bought my totaled exp and was very cheap, that is if you buy after market. and i prefer the stock chrome grill on the exps. but if memory serves me right the sports came with painted grills and the chrome ones look ten times better. OK i have a confesion to make my exp used to be a mazda and i din't like the way that it looked and the ford parts were cheaper so i bought the chrome grill. that is the only thing that i din't like about the exps sports was that the reg ones were all black and no chrome, whats up with that!!?? hope that helps.

 

[Cameron]

It should be fairly cheap to have a paint shop do it for you. That's the way I would go. If Macco (Spelling?) paints your whole car for $200, they would probably do your grill for $50.00

And I for one personally prefer the monochromatic look of the Sports. It's all a matter of personal taste.

 

[jimbo74]

grill

just get the stull billet grill from performance products for 100 bills

 

[RFR2212]

Just a side note....I wouldn't suggest Maaco...or what ever it is...they don't do great paint jobs there.
Pete

 

[Cameron]

I agree. I wouldn't have my truck painted there but I might have my grill done by them. But then again, I'm so **** about my truck's appearance I would probably have it done by the best paint shop in town a 10 times the cost of Macco!

Okay, forget I even mentioned them!

 

[RFR2212]

An additional note to what Cameron said...Find a paint/body shop that is very nice and clean. Also look at what cars they're working on. Some auto body guys only like expensive cars, but they also can do a damn good job. But then again, I also know some that are smaller and are even better. That is why I go to them first.
Pete

 

[jimbo74]

ditch the stocker and go with stull billet!!!!hehehe

 

[Quick]

I have a 93, and I can't find one for a decent price. I'm not going to pay $200+ for one. Though I'm not sure how nice they look on 93's, plus mine is a Sport and I want to keep all the colors the same, dark blue and black. Chrome or metal would stand out.

 

[RytM1]

I'm in the same boat with my 98. The stuff rubs off too easy. I was thinking about having the whole grill assembly including headlight frames, painted to match the color of my truck. I'm with Cameron on the monochrome look, and already pulled off the pinstriping.

 

[RU MAN]

To prevent the paint from off the grill is wax it. But since its already see if a junk yard has one in good shape. If you just want it black, go to a good paint shop and get them to match it, just sand it down, primer it and paint it. just my .02

 

[mdrut]

satin black

Picked up a couple of cans of high quality satin black at the parts store and did my bumpers, grill, window post..wet sand ,clean well (very important) masked it up and sprayed away..total cost of project under $20..Take your time and do it right worked on mine 2 weekends..I also like the black, Have lund grill screen and gts blackouts ,only crome on the front is the oval..

 

[jimbo74]

YOU CAN GET THE STULL BILLET GRILLE WIT HA BLACK FINISH FOR AROUND 100 DOLLARS FROM PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS. EXPLOREEXPRESS HAS THEM TO FOR ABOUT THE SAME PRICE.

 

[Paul]

Quick -

I have a '91 Sport and had the same problem with the grill, as well as the side view mirrors and B and D pillars. I did the same thing as MDRUT, but used Duplicolor's black spray on truck bed liner, which has a textured finish.
As mentioned earlier, just clean, sand, and tape, and it'll look at least as good a job you'd pay for from Macco...
I did mine back in March '99 and it still looks good.

Good Luck

Paul
'91 Sport

 

[leebo]

wet sand and spray paint. Did mine about a year ago along with the bumpers, mirrors, window wipers, roof rack. Haven't had a problem yet and it looks great.

Just make sure you use some clearcoat when you're done.

 

[fox]

sorry guys bot this is kind of the subject but i just installed a lighted ford simble in my grill. it was only 25 buck and it really illuminates well at night, i bought it at 4wheelparts.com