Hello, I have an 1986 f-150 I recently painted the truck black, for a while I have been considering painting the grill black. I have been a little uneasy about painting it anybody think it is a good idea or bad idea?

 

get a nice chrome grille off a 81, they look way way better than a painted one, i have that grille i just mentioned on my 82 flareside that is curently black (pictures in my gallery)

 

I did the exact same thing - had a black truck, painted the grille black. Anyway, the 86 grille with the blue Ford oval in it looks rather dorky. I went and got the grille off an 80 in the junkyard and painted it. I also painted the headlight "doors" black. I've posted it here before, but here it is again.


http://www3.jagsource.org/gallery/album66/aap
http://www3.jagsource.org/gallery/album66/aaq
http://www3.jagsource.org/gallery/album66/aar
http://www3.jagsource.org/gallery/album66/aay


If you decide to do this, make sure you use something like Krylon's Futura paint, designed especially to paint on plastics. It's also very flexible, which is also desirable for the obvious reason.

 

The F-150 came with three different grill designs from 1982-1986. All had the Ford blue oval center.

Design 1 argent silver paint (Custom, XL, Explorer)
Design 2 unpainted natural black plastic (Work Truck)
Design 3 chrome (XLT, XLT Lariat)

 

Earlier this year I did the insides of the slots on the '86 grill and bezels.

Pics - - - HERE - - -

 

I rather like my Pretty blue oval

BTW anyone know where to get a replacement blue oval?

 

My 83 XLT, bought new, has the siver paint. Chrome was an option, even on the XLT.

 

I like mine too! You should be able to get a Ford oval from any Ford truck from 1983-1991 . Mine was cracked and I took it off of a 1988 F150. Junkyard would be the best spot.

-Matt

 

Hey 88grandmarquis. I live in bismark too love our truck. A have A 85 Supercab.

 

I painted my headlight serounds and the '80 series grill black. I used a flat krylon. I have seen an early 80's with gloss black auto paint and did not like the way it looked. It could have been the bad paint job but I think the flat look in better. Also if you find an 80' grill look for the clear front dirrectionals that were on that year also. I got both (black grill and cleat turns)and will get a pic up as soon as possible.

 

My 86 had a silver grille and I thought it would look better black. I scuffed it up with a scotch-brite pad, wiped it down with Acrysol, let it dry, primed it with Krylon grey and painted it with Krylon semi-gloss. It turned out really good and the heat from the radiator hasn't caused the paint to soften to date, even this summer. Check out my gallery to see how it turned out.

 

You guys got me thinking .... my son is scrapping out a couple big Broncos, I've already asked for the AM/FM/cassette player, the clock with the long pigtail wiring and the center dash panel. May have to request the grilles too so I can experiment a little bit

 

I'd get the rest of the interior dash paneling also. Especially if its got AC and wood grain(Might be able to get a few bucks for that stuff). If it has it the under hood light might be a good thing also.

I need to get my pictures up because I have no chrome on my truck. I painted all chrome(head light, windshield, mirrors) to black, took off all ford and model markings and it looks good.