I really like the FX2 grilles too, but you have to install an emblem on them. If it wasn't like that, I would have bought one of those a long time ago.

I took one more whack at painting it today with the same Duplicolor paint, but this time it's high gloss and no clear of any kind. I wet sanded it after it was all done cooking in the sun for a few hours just to take some of the rough texture off. It looks good, but not very glossy at all. I'm going to make some calls tomorrow and see how much it will cost just to get a pro clear coat sprayed on.

 

I have used the Duplicolor Clear Coat (High Gloss) before too, and it came out matte. Won't ever use that again...

 

Did you wet sand it afterwards? That's what you have to do when clearing Niteshaded tail lights if you want the rattle can clear to come out shiny.

 

Yeah I did. It never became clear, just ended up sanding right through it trying to get it to look right.

 

Oh, sorry, was asking Kawasaki. Should have quoted him :o

 

The answer to your problems is Automotivetouchup.com for painting supplies. Their paints are factory matches (perfect) and the clear coat is high quality automotive clear that leaves and protects that nice glossy appearance. I painted my handles and FX2 grille about six months ago using their stuff and it looks impeccable still. Also just used their clearcoat on my niteshaded tails and they are super glossy now. Investing a little more for the higher quality stuff instead of over-the-counter stuff will really make a difference!

 

When I had the Roush grille I had no emblem on it and loved it being badgeless. Now that I have the FX2 grille I don't care it has a badge. The grille is just awesome for me.

I swapped my Roush grille with black surround with a local member with a black FX2. Even swap.

 

i agree with Stealth, theres no way around it chipping.

If you dont want chips leave it chrome

i would look into having it Line-x'ed or powder coated for best adhesion.

 

I'd have never thought about having the grille line-x'd. Good idea.

 

I have a Roush grille in my garage that is painted with Fusion and chipped as well. I took it off and never put it back on. the metal pieces appear to be glued to the plastic backing and they seem somewhat thick. I don't think it is going to peel off. I think blasting it is your best bet. Take it and have it blasted clean and then painted by a paint and body shop. That or paint it yourself after its been blasted.

 

Just curious here, are you guys even roughing up the surface at all? Try sanding with a higher grit paper over the chrome first. Then try an adhesion promoter. When i tried painting my chrome grill it wouldn't stick very well, but i bought a new one that was black and i sanded it and then sprayed and it holds well.

 

Yep, been through all that. This last paint I've tried had held up quite well. No chips or dings. The finish still looks like crap. There's areas that look slightly more glossy than others. After I do my gear swap at the end of September, I'm going to have it professionally painted and cleared.

 

Same here. The metal on mine is more of a polished stainless. Hard as hell. I used 80 or 100 grit, don't remember. Its been awhile. Painting a black grille is going to adhere better because of the paint already being on the grille. I have had lots of luck with pre-painted surfaces but not stainless or polished metal surfaces.

 

I'm passing along this tip from Senor Frog.

He insists that yer problem stems from you using the wrong colour. Hence ...




^^ THIS.


MGD

 

Line-X is a good idea but you can't powder it because of the plastic frame. I used to powder coat and the heat required is 500 degrees for about half an hour on these grilles. The plastic would melt. Only ABS plastic will withstand the temperatures; of which these grilles are not. Even low heat powders would melt it. It would be a good finish though.

Even Line-x may not be good since they like to encapsulate the plastic pieces in line-X. That might close the gaps between the slats.