Notices
1999 - 2016 Super Duty 1999 to 2016 Ford F250, F350, F450 and F550 Super Duty with diesel V8 and gas V8 and V10 engines
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Real Truck

Opinion (PICS)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 3, 2005 | 02:29 PM
  #1  
Bear Hunter's Avatar
Bear Hunter
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,214
Likes: 0
From: All Over
Opinion (PICS)

Getting ready to do the final install...

Should I paint the plastic on the grill or leave it?

Considerations:

1. Do not have access to paint gun...after surface prep I am using a can of factory paint and a can of clearcoat.
2. Plastic on grill seems to take a beating from bugs and road debris on long trips and I'm not sure how the paint would hold up.
3. Want to stay away from painting the valance because its such a large piece and I think a homemade paint job would stand out in this color and look a little tacky.

What do you think?



 
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2005 | 02:35 PM
  #2  
iskybantilus's Avatar
iskybantilus
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 881
Likes: 0
From: NJ ... the garbage state
I like the way it looks now. Is that purchased like that or is it something like gutter guard? I was going to use that on mine, but wanted something with a little smaller holes to stop more bugs ... now i am kinda thinking about making one like that and putting the small mesh behind that ... so stones and big bugs wont tear the window screen.

got and installation pics or tips? Its something i need to get done before this spring on my rig.

again .... looks good i like it as is.
 
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2005 | 02:38 PM
  #3  
KitsKid's Avatar
KitsKid
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: Dumas, Texas
I think it looks good as is.
 
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2005 | 02:54 PM
  #4  
Bear Hunter's Avatar
Bear Hunter
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,214
Likes: 0
From: All Over
Thanks...thats kinda the way I am leaning as well. The inserts are from Street Scene. I got the brushed aluminum because I didn't want to deal with the rust that the steel or chrome versions had. Since the brushed aluminum didn't look right with the chrome on the truck..I decided to paint them to match. Ended up having to get some mixed because there is currently not any off the shelf spray paint with my factory code.

As far as prep...I did the following:

1. Brillo pad the surface
2. used adheasion promoter primer (Autozone)
3. Painted in factory color
4. Applied Clearcoat.

Right now I am having a heck of a time getting the grill off the truck...those clips on the bottom are a PITA. I may be being too careful, but I don't want to muscle anything right now.
 
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2005 | 04:50 PM
  #5  
1wheel's Avatar
1wheel
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Looks good.... Ranger's lead the way.....thanks for your service..
 
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2005 | 04:52 PM
  #6  
Bear Hunter's Avatar
Bear Hunter
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,214
Likes: 0
From: All Over
Originally Posted by 1wheel
Looks good.... Ranger's lead the way.....thanks for your service..
....I appreciate that...Thank You!
 
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2005 | 05:36 PM
  #7  
Hockycop's Avatar
Hockycop
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 204
Likes: 1
From: New Smryna Beach FL
Bear Hunter,

I would leave is it is. That looks great!! Painting it may look ok, but it would never look as good as it does now.......
 
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2005 | 09:25 PM
  #8  
02superstroker's Avatar
02superstroker
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,221
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
Originally Posted by Bear Hunter
2. Plastic on grill seems to take a beating from bugs and road debris on long trips and I'm not sure how the paint would hold up.
Yeah, this is true. On my steering stabilizers I sanded them down to bare metal, then sprayed them with numerous coats of clearcoat so that they would match my bilsteins.... but after a few weeks the road crap had chipped tons of little holes into the body, which later began to turn red-brown with rust. That rust showed up a lot, and even though your grill wouldn't rust, the chips and stuff would probably leave much to be desired.

Good luck... but i would also vote that it looks good the way it is.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-7

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jan 3, 2005 | 11:42 PM
  #9  
Dieselman929's Avatar
Dieselman929
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Eastern PA
Bear Hunter, Leave it alone ! It looks great just the way it is !
 
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2005 | 11:53 PM
  #10  
bdjupiter's Avatar
bdjupiter
Elder User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
From: Broken Arrow, OK.
I vote to leave it, it looks good like it is!
 
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2005 | 01:09 AM
  #11  
darkknight9's Avatar
darkknight9
Mountain Pass
20 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
Leave it...it looks grrrreat!
 
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2005 | 05:47 PM
  #12  
Bear Hunter's Avatar
Bear Hunter
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,214
Likes: 0
From: All Over
Thanks everyone... I kinda gave up on the grille clips yesterday. Now that I know how to remove the sucker I am waiting until I have more time to tackle the final install.
 
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2005 | 09:01 PM
  #13  
SMiller's Avatar
SMiller
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 848
Likes: 3
From: Kokomo
I use a strait blade screw driver and use the top of the bumper as leverage to push the bottom of the clips up, as I pinch the clips together I pull the bumper out, with four screws and two clips I can have the grill in and out in about two minutes flat, I got a new\aftermarket grill the other day and pulled out the old grill, swapped clips and installed the new one in under 5min. no big deal. And Bear Hunter your truck looks great!
 
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2005 | 09:06 PM
  #14  
wvabeer's Avatar
wvabeer
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 535
Likes: 10
From: Evans, West Virginia
I think it looks great the way it is
 
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2005 | 09:18 PM
  #15  
Colorado Red's Avatar
Colorado Red
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
You don't have a two tone truck do you...since it looks like you have the "one tone"...I'd leave it. Looks Great!!
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:17 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE