Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Aesthetics For anyone who has painted the Chrome Oval(front grille)

Hey guys this is one mod im going to do soon but im not sure how to go about it. I tryed a search and came up with some stuff but notning that helps. I know how to take everything apart but what do i have to do to prep the grille before painting it. I mean do i sand it down 1st then prime it then paint or what. would this work. thanks for any info.

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What kind of grit should it be. or dosent it matter in this case.

Be forewarned, it chips like a b!tch.. I've had it painted twice already, and not two weeks later, got yet another (big) chip. Looks great, I just had a paint shop do it for me, it's such a small piece, it shouldn't cost much.

Kevin -- it's a major pain based on what I hear. If you do it yourself, the results won't be the best (won't look OEM). Go to a body shop....there's a good one in Aurora here that would probably do it for like $80 or less.

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Mine got the ultimate test today, Got behind a dump truck(not by choice) and was pelted with rocks. Not a single chip in mine.

Mine was sanded down with a rough grit, then EPOXY primer was used for it's durability. It etches itself to the remaining chrome. Then a single stage paint was used. Instead of the regular base coat, clear coat.

Still looks amazing.

I would tend to agree with Tim on this one about doing it yourself.

Personally I haven't painted the grille on my SVT, but I did paint one years ago on my '84 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe.
Like most of you I couldn't stand having that big, chrome egg crate on the front of my 'Bird when all the other trim had a nice charcoal finish.
So I decided to do something about it as well as make my 'Bird stand out from the rest of the flock (ouch!).

I removed the grille (six screws), sanded it down with rough grit (don't remember the grade) to remove most (not necessarily all) the chrome plating. Then I went over it again with a medium grit (again no grade #) to smooth out the rough grit marks, then followed up with fine grit dry then extra fine grit wet to achieve a perfectly paintable surface.
Primed it with gray epoxy primer & finished up with a Lincoln color called Pewter Metallic, if I remember correctly. I chose this color because it was close to the OEM charcoal trim, but just different enough for it to stand out.
And it did.

Of all the modifications I made to my 'Bird over the years of ownership, this single change garnered more comments & compliments than all the others combined.

Very satisfying telling people I did it myself.

As far as chips are concerned, it is no different than repainting any other area of a vehicle. As long as you prepare the surface properly, apply the primer & paint correctly it should be just as durable as the rest of your car.
I might add I also applied a clear coat atop the Pewter.

Cool guys thanks for all the help. I think im gonna do it myself. thanks again

where should i get the paint if i want to do this? can i get it at ford or just any paint store. if i can get it at a store, is there a certain name for it? thx.