I would like to paint my factory unpainted black plastic grille the same color as my ford "red" truck. Can I do this with rattle cans, including clear coat? Will it match the existing finish.

 

You'll need to prep the grill by sanding and deglossing. Then spray a "primer" for plastics. The topcoat with Duplicolor or similar bombs. The Duplicolor clearcoat is a pretty good product but requires a good buffing to really shine. (I did the same thing on my 94 Ranger about 8 years ago)

 

Hi Lazybones - Welcome to FTE

Ken, is he going to have a problem matching the reds?

 

Ken, is he going to have a problem matching the reds? - Carlene

Duplicolor has an extensive line of colors and the parts houses usually have the last five years worth of color available. Just get the paint code off the vehicle and ask the guy at the counter for some help. Nine time out of ten you'll match.

 

Thanks carlene,
If I screw this up (always the optimist) is there any reason I won't be able to take the grille to a professional to have it corrected. Or, should I just do this in the first place?

 

There is no reason why a professional couldnt correct the problem. He may charge more because he has to strip off the rattle can color you put on, but is definatly fixable.

 

I painted my grill and head light bezels using plastic prep to remove the silicon release agents used in plastic manufacturing. Then I used a good wax and grease remover that can be applied without leaving a film. Read the can because most leave a film. Film bad, doesnt help with adhesion. Then lots of wet sanding using 400 grit. Then I applied an epoxy primer. This is a non sanding primer. You may let it set up for a max of one day. That means you can spray it at night and shoot it in the morning. Why sand if you dont have too? Then I followed this with 2 coats of basecoat (white) then 2 coats of PPG 2020 clear. Ive traveled a year so far and no worries. I love taking the high pressure washer to it !!

 

CID,

Thanks for all the great information. Just a couple more stupid questions. It sounds like you machine sprayed your coatings(ppg), If so, could you explain where you got the paint, do they need to be thined etc.? I have two compressors and assorted sprayers that were given to me but I've never really had the opportunity to learn how to use them. (Should I practice on my new truck? )

 

Before you practice on your new truck, take the time to speak with your local automotive paint store. They can really be helpful in explaining the components needed for mixing paint. If you want to practice spraying, do some simple items first. Like a mailbox, the kids bikes, are even a metal trashcan or two. I am going to practice on my fenders from my 66 F350

 

You got compressors and you havent played with them yet?? Shame on you! Break those puppies out and start having fun. Just think of the thousands of dollars in tools you could buy. Seriously though, painting is artisitic. There is a big difference between replacing a steering strut and replacing a finish. You need to get the fundamentals down. I usually explain them when Im training using the acronym DATSO. This stands for distance, angle, trigger, speed, and overlap. You need to bring all these things together PLUS the environmental conditions to develop a good paint job.
D= 6-8 inches
A=perpendicular to the surface being painted
T=trigger at end of each stroke
S=must be consistant: too slow, runs, too fast dry spray.
0= I have always used 50% overlap of previous pass.

Good Luck and have FUN!!

 

cid - Welcome to FTE & the Bodywork forum.

As you can see, we need all the help we can get. Thanks.

 

Hi Carlene glad to be aboard! Nothing like having lots of people offering advice. Gives you lots of options to select from. I find this important in the abutobody trade. It is very product oriented much more so than mechanics. I am not down playing the mechanics only trying to point out the importance of products. With every product comes many ways of using them, for example adhesive glues. Some people would weld on a roof some would use glue and some would use both or taking off a pinstripe, some would use a 3M product while others would use a razor blade and maybe someone else would use a jitterbug. I like reading the posts because its like reading a technical manual. The great thing about the posts is that everyone talks about a topic and offers all these opinions that make it great for someone who has no idea on how to make a repair. If you read long enough and there are enough people posting then you are going to figure out how to make the repair. I wired my house this way. So its nice to be here and add to the discussion.
Cheers

95 F150 300 Inline
4x4 80,00kms
2 Tone custom paint done in base coat clear coat Flaming Orange Pearl and White.