Is there any way for a guy with limited funds and limited body working skills to paint their grey lower valance gloss black? The color doesn't have to be a perfect match to the truck (as it's black and weathered etc.), but I don't have a spray gun or anything like that. I've been skilled with a rattle can for a long time though, and I do have a compressor, die grinder, sanding discs, and stuff like that.

I'm assuming that I need some sort of adhesion promoter, and a series of sand, prime, paint a few coats, and clear coat?

I'm dying to do some more exterior mods to my truck, but don't have the funds for a hood, rollpan, paintwork from a bodyshop, etc.

Also, if I did paint the valance black, what is everyone's opinion on a Tahoe chrome grille with the factory black inserts and possibly a black bowtie? I've also considered sanding and painting the flat black/greyish part of my current grille shell and leaving the chrome strip...

Thanks in advance!

 

You can do it with a rattle can. I will be painting mine sometime soon. The plan is just as you mentioned. Sanding, the hard part think I'll get a D/A,adhesion promoter, 2-3 coats of primer, 2-3 coats color, 3-4 coats clear. Have rattle cans ready but would like to try my hand with a gun. Just don't have it and wonder if my compressor will keep up and have to get some moisture catches/filters.

What I've done so far have turned out well. Just time consuming and best part, if you flub it up just sand and do it over, so no real worries.

 

Thanks KYSilvy...I remember your thread with the parts you painted, they looked great to me. I don't have a DA sander, but I do have an angle die grinder...I have a feeling that the spin at different speeds or something? I know that I can pick up an actual sander pretty cheaply though, if necessary.

 

I simply used a rattle can of Krylon Fusion. All I did was wash the lower valance and dry it before painting. No prep work at all!! I'd describe it as a semi gloss finish.....similar to the color and texture of the front bumper cap. Here is a pic of my lower valance shot with Krylon Fusion. It's been about 2 years since I painted it and I don't have any chips or discoloring.

 

Let me speak to my dad, I bet he has those parts lying around and would spray them pretty cheap. As far as the grille, I would just smooth and paint the plactic areas on your grille black and leave the chrome center bar.

 

Cool deal, thanks Tom

Yea, I like the idea of painting the flat plastic part of the grille....gonna have to do a good tape job on the chrome. What about the bowtie, leave it brushed aluminum or go with a black one?

 

i did my grill, bumper pad and lower valance with a rattle can..did a lot of sanding, filler primer more sanding and painting and clear coat..i sanded the plastic fairly smooth before i started painting