Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Aesthetics Painting Front chrome oval

Originally posted by hmouta:

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i had mine acid treated by phatspatt and it came out awesome. had the body shop then paint it. looks great.

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Same here

BAT sells a grill for the 98 and newer Contour that has a primered oval shell. Check it out at www.batinc.net

Originally posted by Big Jim:

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BAT sells a grill for the 98 and newer Contour that has a primered oval shell. Check it out at www.batinc.net

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I couldn't find it on there, I would love to have a seperate one to paint.

Forget the acid. I sanded my grill down and painted it with dark t-red. It turned out just as good. Even if you dip it in acid the paint is not going to hold up against a rock on the highway. My whole front end is fugged up from highway driving and before I painted my grill the chrome had chips on it! Just some food for thought.

I did the same...but used a green scratch pad to roughen it up. Painted...looked great! But...it does not withstand the rocks and junk from the highway...so I'll be touching mine up from time to time. Maybe if you used poly-uerothane?

Originally posted by Hector:

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Forget the acid. I sanded my grill down and painted it with dark t-red. It turned out just as good. Even if you dip it in acid the paint is not going to hold up against a rock on the highway. My whole front end is fugged up from highway driving and before I painted my grill the chrome had chips on it! Just some food for thought.

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What grit sand paper did you use? Also did you put a clear coat over it?

Originally posted by LiquidSVT:

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Originally posted by Big Jim:

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BAT sells a grill for the 98 and newer Contour that has a primered oval shell. Check it out at www.batinc.net

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I couldn't find it on there, I would love to have a seperate one to paint.

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Oops!

I looked at the current catalog and could not find it either. I was there a few months ago.

I dont see it on the old one either, maybe i should call

I had Spatt Acid dip mine and then sent it to the body shop while I had some other stuff being painted. It survived a 8+ hour trip to and from Dallas w/out losing a flake of paint (knock on wood):) I am sure they just painted it and put a clear coat on it.

Obviously paint will not stick to chrome well. You need to get it stripped and unless you have many hours, I recommend getting or dipping it yourself in Muriatic acid, I paid Spatt $29 that included return shipping to me. Well worth it IMHO.

I found a SVT grille, brand new on eBay before I even had my car (2+ years ago). I was going to put it on my Mom's Se, but never got around to it, so it got stripped, painted and my stock chrome now adorns my bookshelf in my room.

Originally posted by LiquidSVT:

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Originally posted by Hector:

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Forget the acid. I sanded my grill down and painted it with dark t-red. It turned out just as good. Even if you dip it in acid the paint is not going to hold up against a rock on the highway. My whole front end is fugged up from highway driving and before I painted my grill the chrome had chips on it! Just some food for thought.

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What grit sand paper did you use? Also did you put a clear coat over it?

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I used a fine sand paper. And yes I clearcoated it. If you'd like I can send you a PM on what grit. I am at work right now...sandpaper is at home.