illMATTic

Have you guys who collormatched their grille painted over the chrome or did you buy a paintable shell?

If painted over chrome, how did it turn out? Has it peeled at all?

gs7793

iTrader: (8)

^i think the guys that paint the chrome on their trucks have it sandblasted first, then primed, then painted....

im sure theres some that just paint it, but sandblasting it first is the way to go

Preston129

iTrader: (3)

The "chrome" on the grilles are just painted plastic; media blasting would be best, but you can scuff and prime just like any other painted plastic surface.

illMATTic

Pretty sure its plated and not chrome paint.

Preston129

iTrader: (3)

Well either vacuum metalized or spray-chrome silver nitrate, could be the former but I always assumed the latter would be cheapest. To be honest now you've got me doubting, I'll try to find out for sure what the process is.

Bigredmariner

iTrader: (6)

I'm in the same boat as you on color matching. Looks like 2 choices really, order one from GM already painted Red about $300, or find a W/T one and spray it yourself. I'd give you the pn for the red one but it's at home. They are available from GM as an accessory.

I think if you try to take the chrome off of the one you have it will probably screw up the plastic. Good luck.

transamdave

iTrader: (1)

The steps i used were ; sanded, 4 coates of adhesion promoter, 4 coats of primer, 4 coats of paint and 4 coats of clear coat.

Before




After




Deff worth doing wouldnt you say.

Mangled03gmc

iTrader: (95)

Looks good ^^^^^. I do believe it is chrome, not painted on. You can sand it off. Follow the steps the dude above me did, it will be just like it was from the factory. But no you can not paint over the chrome, it hold up for any period of time...

illMATTic

I have had good luck with sanding the hell out of chrome door handle covers and painting in the past. Although they are not taking 100 mph stone chips.

transamdave

iTrader: (1)

Ive had mine done for four months now and have had no issues with it.