Chrome to Black grill

ethos · 1 Sep 2007 at 17:39

Hi guys,

I want to get my chrome grill on the vRS sprayed to black.

From:

to this:

Thanks to f1btn over at briskoda for the picture.

I reckon I could get the stuff needed to do it myself for about £25 from halfords, but I've never done anything like this before... so it could end up a miss!

How much would I be looking at getting this done at a bodyshop type place? Bearing in mine I would remove the grill for them etc.. and they wouldn't have a whole car to mess around with.

Gaverick · 1 Sep 2007 at 17:40

£10 maybe, it's not a big job, would only take them a few minutes I would guess

ethos · 1 Sep 2007 at 17:42

Well, they've got to strip off the chrome (I heard bleach for 3 days, I could always do this).

Then primer, paint and lacquer so bit more than a few minutes but yea, as you so it's not a big job.

Hmm, might have to get some quotes... looks much meaner I reckon. It's the only big of chrome on the whole car which makes it stick out.

"andy" · 1 Sep 2007 at 19:08

whats the grill made off ?

allot of methods that remove chrome damage multiple materials too

wont be an easy thing to spray DIY with rattle cans IMO , could be tricky getting a good finish due to the cutouts and shape etc. not the sort of thing you want your first spray job to be on imo anyway

id see about getting some quotes for getting it shotblasted and powdecoated. since its a popular colour and not really big its likely that theyl be able to just put it in with other stuff.

same with a spray shop if you remove the chrome yourself i guess

Mattius · 1 Sep 2007 at 19:13

no need to remove chrome, just lightly sand with wet and dry and use acid etch primer, acid etch eats into the chrome and provides a good surface for painting.

"andy" · 1 Sep 2007 at 19:15

oooo never knew you could get such stuff. spent ages removing chrome from things before too

ethos · 1 Sep 2007 at 19:17

Mattius said:
no need to remove chrome, just lightly sand with wet and dry and use acid etch primer, acid etch eats into the chrome and provides a good surface for painting.

Oh yea? I read something about acid etch primer.

I think I'm best getting professional place to do it, for the sake of an extra £15-20.

They'll know whats best to do (I hope).

Mattius · 1 Sep 2007 at 19:35

yeap the pro place should have acid etch, you use it when you strip a car to bare metal.

pinkaardvark · 1 Sep 2007 at 21:22

Sanded the chrome grill on the missus mondeo then used acid etch primer before top coat, but it's flaking off now so I'd reccomend doing it properly or doing it twice

Jon Frost · 1 Sep 2007 at 21:35

Looks wickid, great mod mate.

Jon

*Moangroan* · 1 Sep 2007 at 22:48

http://www.fabia-vrs.com/technical/colour_grille.htm

Joe T · 2 Sep 2007 at 10:54

Any way you could simply swap it for a black one?

Liverpool-Lad · 2 Sep 2007 at 11:04

They dont make black ones. The chrome is actually chromed plastic...so a quick rub down. primer and paint should suffice.

Duke · 2 Sep 2007 at 11:20

That will look much better

ethos · 2 Sep 2007 at 11:23

Duke said:
That will look much better

Yea, I think so... a bit meaner :cool:

ethos · 2 Sep 2007 at 11:26

A couple more examples, this is a mk2:

..and fabia:

http://www.fabia-vrs.com/images/images/colour_grille_octy_badge/grille12.jpg

Wayn0r · 2 Sep 2007 at 12:03

dont be such a wuss.

halfords. halfords spray lacquer, halfords gloss black, can of acid etch and some wet and dry around 800/1000 grit.

Go over the whole grill lightly with the sandpaper, to 'key' the grill.

Then do a couple of coats of acid etch. with around 20mins in between until you have a nice even coat, then do the same again with the paint, and once again with the lacquer.

Done. how are you going to cope in life if you cant even paint a grill ?

Mattius · 2 Sep 2007 at 13:57

dont forget to 1500 wet wet and dry the acid etch primer to get it smooth, then same again after the colour coat, the person before who said the paint flaked is because they didnt add the clear lacquer coats, the more lacquer you add the more resiliant the paint is gonna be to chips and scratches.

ethos · 2 Sep 2007 at 18:38

Wayn0r said:
dont be such a wuss.

halfords. halfords spray lacquer, halfords gloss black, can of acid etch and some wet and dry around 800/1000 grit.

Go over the whole grill lightly with the sandpaper, to 'key' the grill.

Then do a couple of coats of acid etch. with around 20mins in between until you have a nice even coat, then do the same again with the paint, and once again with the lacquer.

Done. how are you going to cope in life if you cant even paint a grill ?

Chill out son!

I'm just thinking for the sake of an extra £10-15 it'll be a lot better quality...

Plus no doubt they'll have better quality of equipment.

Mattius · 2 Sep 2007 at 18:49

If you do want it done pro, tell the bodyshop what you want to do, and tell them you are happy to wait until they are doing a black car, that way you'll get it cheaper.