Painting my stock grille

kevinsLS

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Hello everyone. I wanted to ask people who know whats best for my LS. i was wondering has anyone ever tried using an aerosol paint and clear coat to paint the chrome on the stock grille? I wanted to try it but i wanted to see other peoples outcome before I did it. 970087_10200825865083218_235657623_n.jpg

970087_10200825865083218_235657623_n.jpg
 
Me too I would like to know. Also I have seen some grills were the vertical members are chrome and the portion with the Lincoln logo is black. How is that done?
 
What not to do...

as G-RELL said ... just make sure you scuff well...

I agree. I've had previous "HOK" candy paint jobs on my previous project cars (where I would do the body work and prep)
and my painter would then shoot the paint in stages. There were times he'd reject my vehicle just because the prep work
was not to his satisfaction. Preping the body or area of work is key. The paint can only stick if it's properly and correctly
prep'd. Then comes the clear coat layers for protection. #1) Prep #2) Quality Paint product #3) Protection

and here's the truth...
I prep'd it w/ 800 grit wet/dry (auto) sandpaper, then used Scotch-Brite Industry Abrasive Hand Pad (Maroon Color) ...
I painted my chrome portion of the grill with a can of... KRYLON (Fusion for Plastic) #2321 Gloss Black (3-4 even layers)...
...with NO clear coat protection sprayed on what-so-ever...

It looked so nice and looked so darn glossy...I couldn't help but pat myself on the back...But, that's when I noticed it...
These little boogers...like 3 "dimple" points or like "pin-spots" where the paint layers seem thinner ...like a flat crater
(imagine a very, very small crater on the moon, like that). Wheter it was do to improper sanding or maybe some type
liquid/oily residue prior to spraying the paint black coat or if the aerosol can wasn't shaken enough or was dispersed
properly at the nozzle tip. It didn't matter but, I tried to brush it off and assumed I'm too picky and may not be oh so
noticable...

At the other end of the room that's when my friend said, "hey you missed a spot", ...I thought he was trying to be
funny by making a typical sarcastic remark. So I said, "Yeah, everything except the kitchen sink...".
Then he said, "Dude, I can totally see those craters from here". DAMM !! LOL-

5 months later... The Gloss black has turned into a flat gray with the actual chrome showing at those very tiny pin-spots...

Didn't matter how much experience a person like me has... if the prep is not up to par and properly performed...
Before, During, and After...The outcome will always be the same...not good.

(If I remember I may take a picture tomorrow and upload it just for fun)...and what not to do.

My painter...was none other then Sal Manzano (Mr. 91X himself). To see his work...Google "Sal Manzano"
click on Google 'images'...to see what a REAL custom and award winning paint job is all about when 2nd best may
not be enough for some. But, don't try to make an appointment though...He no longer paints.
 

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