Painted Grille
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 20,162
Likes: 15,984
From: Wisconsin
I agree that it looks good as well as I'll just keep the chrome with my silver truck. Did you scuff it up and use an etching primer or what kind of prep work did you use? I'm not asking because I'm going to critique your method as soon as you type it...honestly just curious 
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,470
Likes: 535
From: Chandler, AZ
I agree that it looks good as well as I'll just keep the chrome with my silver truck. Did you scuff it up and use an etching primer or what kind of prep work did you use? I'm not asking because I'm going to critique your method as soon as you type it...honestly just curious
If I was just doing the surround I would buy a paint grade (KR/Plat) piece as apposed to the Lariat chrome one. Since I was planning to do the bars I just did the same process to all of it. To do it right, the chrome would need to be chemically removed, and done with quality paint, using a real gun in a booth.
Prep was many 220 grit pads on a variable speed orbital, with 600 and scuff pads for the tight spots. It took a few hours to get to a minimal acceptable level. Most edges of the plastic are slightly concave and it is very difficult to sand the low area. The chrome is very hard and dulls the sand paper/disk very quickly. I bought the primer/base/clear from the same place so I used their primer. My understanding of etching primer is that it is for unsanded/unprepped metal, and is largely replaced by modern epoxy primers.
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
I'm black on black, all chrome front end. I have decided to paint the surround to match body color, i see factory ones for sale paint ready for $150 + or - on the net. I am leaving the two horizontal bars chrome and leaving the two skinny vertical "wrap a round" bars, inside the big surround grill, chrome. I haven't quite decided if I am painting the bumpers body color or not yet... Still on the fence about that.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 18,787
Likes: 30
From: Melbourne, Aus
That looks really good! Mine just has the body colored surround, which I think makes the chrome less obnoxious.
I like the XL grilles.
I like the XL grilles.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 348
Likes: 1
Wow Smoky wish we were neighbors. I've got a '13 Kodiak brown 350 and I've been eyeing a chromed surround on ebay. Hey, I'd even have brought the adult bev's.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,470
Likes: 535
From: Chandler, AZ
I couldn't quite justify the extra $$$$ for the KR trim, and I knew I would have to make some changes to the Lariat when I ordered it.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,470
Likes: 535
From: Chandler, AZ
Paint durability update
Its been about 7 months and around 5k miles since the grille paint job. The finish has held up very well and looks about the same as day 1, exceeding my expectations. What small blemishes there are are hard to tell from bug guts.
I like that my truck grille is unique. There are several other 11-15 Lariats in the parking lot at work to remind me why I disliked all the chrome so much.
I like that my truck grille is unique. There are several other 11-15 Lariats in the parking lot at work to remind me why I disliked all the chrome so much.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,470
Likes: 535
From: Chandler, AZ
Touch Up Paint and Accessories | AutomotiveTouchup
Looking back, to do all the pieces I painted, I would have bought 2 cans of clear coat.
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