Okay, so I sanded and painted my grille and surround last week, the day before I had my powder coat bumpers put on.

They came out pretty good. I had said early on, a 9 out of 10.... but the more I look at it, I'd say an 8, or 7.5 out of 10. Couple small dust specks, and a few spots that are glossier than the rest.

But the real killer, is that overall, apparently Krylon fusion satin black, is just glossier than my powder coat bumpers, or my Pro Comp wheels (which are nearly a spot on match to each other).

So, now I'm thinking about waiting for a day off when it's not windy (Huh ! Good luck) and then yanking off the grille and surround, doing a light sanding (should I wet or dry sand it ?) then shooting it with another brand of satin black.
Obviously it would be smart to test a few different brands of satin black, first, until I find the best match. Any suggestions ? How is Rustoeleum ? I'm thinking that any brand of flat black would just be too flat... or flatter at least, than my Krylon plastic satin.....

Another thought; I had originally went with Krylon plastic paint, because I was painting over (duh) plastic. But now that the grille has a couple good layers of this paint on it, the next paint won't be trying to adhere to plastic.
However, will other paints adhere okay to Krylon plastic paint ? ....or do I need to test that theory too ?

I'm thinking.... test.... test.... test.... before I go making an even bigger problem.

Your thoughts and suggestions please,
Thank you,
Fish

 

I think I would just take it to a body shop and see what they could do about color matching it to your truck.

 

couple thoughts come to mind. First off, I think I want my grille to be satin black, even if I could find someone to do my grille sureround in Stone Green.

Now, with that said, yes, I'd love to get my surround PTM, but in these parts, to walk into any paint and body shop off of the street, and ask for something like this, I'm going to have to guess, that it would run you $300 to $500 !!!!! Rediculous, huh ? But trust me, I've never seen such money hungry, lazy *** places, looking for "nothing but the easy dollar" as the paint and body shops in Nor Cal :-(

As I had said before, I'm really just going to have to find like a friend of a friend, who has access to a paint booth, and spray equipment..... then bring him a pint of factory matched Stone Green, and a case or two of his favorite beer.....
.....or else I just don't see it happening. Again, I'd love a PTM grille surround, but I won't pay several hundred dollars for it. Would you ?

Peace,
Fish

 

No Chris I wouldnt. I didnt know they are trying to jack people like that out there. I could get it done for you here for $120 max. Hell you may want to explore the much cheaper option of sending it out to one of us whom you trust and letting us have it done and shipped back to you. I found a guy to powder coat my bumpers for $60 a piece out here!! Just a thought, other wise I'd just give a different brand of paint a try. Worse case sand it down and respray it.

 

I remember the thread where you wanted to PC your bumpers...

All that I can say is OOOOOOOO, and AAHHHHHHHHH

Its definitely not pretty, but it looks rugged cool. Thats the best words that I can come up with. Maybe tough? Anywho, I dig the new look. Congrats, the truck has a very distinct look to it. Might I add original also?

More thoughts. The chrome bumpers looked out of place. The PC really ties it together. Kinda has a military look.

 

Yep, Shine you nailed it! "Military" is the right word.

I dunno, Fish. I thiink your truck looks pretty damned splendid the way it is! I'd have to see the defects you're talking about closeup. They don't show in the picture (or maybe I'm just blind).

But, I know what you're saying too. If you see it, that's all you see! And it leaps right out at you every morning too!

So, about the paint. I'd just stick with Krylon since you started with it. Sand the imperfections down and try again. Remember, paint can always be removed, or covered up. I'd always "wet" sand, with a flat backing behind the paper - I think you get much better results.

You could always try Krylon flat black.

- Jack

 

NCSHP when you mention, sending out the grille surround to somebody who could paint PTM it for a reasonable price, now that might be doable ! I remember that thought crossed my mind with the bumpers, but I was thinking about HUGE freight charges, and not being able to drive my truck for however long the front bumper was gone... but with just a light little, easily shipable grille surround.... hmmm. Maybe....

I agree about it looking military :-) BTW, my father was actually in the Air Force for 26 years. He passed away a very long time ago, but I'm sure he'd have loved it.

BTW, I think I'm going to put a hitch on it this week (it already has the tow package) and then I'll post some shots with the boat behind it. I can already tell with the boat and trailer sitting in the yard, 20 feet away, that it's going to be a perfect match :-)

Peace,
Fish

 

Chris,
You will never get the finish on the paint to match that of the powder perfectly. Both wheels and bumpers are powdered satin finish black, that is why they match. I think I would leave well enough alone. Just a suggestion.

 

hey chris--just a thought but once you see if the powdercoat is gonna stick why don't you ptm the bumpers??

 

Let me know if you want a quote.....

 

Blue, you could be right... and I certainly won't try anything else to the grille, without trying it on a test subject first, but if I can get that test piece a little closer, I think I will wait for a calm day, then go for it... not only for a slightly closer match, but to get rid of those flaws, (dust specs, shinier spots)

Hey 06XLT, that thought did cross my mind.... But like I say, I think I'm actually preferring the satin black bumpers over PTM. The grille itself too. It's only the grille surround I would like to "eventually have PTM" .

Thank you very much NCSHP. Good chance I'll be asking for a price quote, but that might be a while. I'm just about to start collecting stereo equipment. Expecting to spend somewhere around $2500 on equipment + install.

Peace,
Fish

 

Fish, just and idea, but what about getting an FX4 Luxury Edition grille and getting a body shop to paint to match the color of your truck? I think it would look killer.

-If you dont know what grille im talking about here it is below.

 

Try Flat Black Engine Paint with ceramic...
I did the insides of all four wheel wells and my frame, diff's etc...
Flat for the most part with a very minimal shine...
Next I plan to spray my badges and factory fender flares (which are fading) with the same stuff!

Paint I bought is Dupla Color...

 

BGF, that's already been discussed, but again, the problem with paint and body shops in this area of the "money state of CA" is that they really don't even want to mess with stuff like this, that they consider to be "nickel and dime" work.
To have any small item or two factory paint matched would cost you a minimum of $300. I agree it would look great, but it's just not worth several hundred dollars to me.

Mr. eX, cool. I might try a can of the Dupli Color ceramic engine paint too. Actually, I plan to buy 2 or 3 cans of different stuff, then find a test subject to start trying it all on. Then, if I find one I like, I'll set it on my shelf and wait as manys "centuries" as I have to, until we have a day which is not windy, to redo the grille. It was actually not windy yesterday (amazingly).... but I was working. Figures.

Peace,
Fish

 

I have been wanting to paint my surround also....however not sure where to start.....Can you tell me what kind of paint you used, and did you sand your surround first or just clean it and spray it down, then sand it and give it a second coat? Oh and did you use any other kind of spray, to make it stick or clear gloss? I would love to know your exact technique, cuz yours would go excellent on my truck, cuz mine is all black...thanks for the info.