Duplicolor perfect match 2014 tacoma Grill

So i know there are quite a bit of threads
on how to do this, but wanted to share my
experience along the way. Hopefully help
shed some light on little details some of us
like myself might miss.

Anyways here we go...


What you need:
3m 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper
3m 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper
3m 2000 grit wet/dry sandpaper
microfiber cloths and/or shop towels
cleaning products; Soap, Wax, grease and Tar remover and/or Rubbing alcohol

Paint supplies:
at least 2 cans of Duplicolor Perfect match (I used black 202)
1 can duplicolor adhesion promoter
1 can duplicolor wet sandable primer
2-4 cans of Duplicolor Clear coat


I began with cleaning the Chrome really good; Washed w/ Soap then grease
tar remover. prep is key.



Once cleaned begin sanding w/ 400 grit
clean w/ your cleaning products between
each sanding from 400 to 600.
I cross hatched to make sure it was even strokes.
You can wet send, but it took forever to get
the desired look and feel i was after.
Took little while, but take your time
this shouldn't be rushed. took me maybe a few hours w/ brakes?!
when finished it should look not as shiny,
like brushed aluminum. Kinda cool looking.




Clean really good after sanding.
began spraying Adhesion promoter.
start with light even coats. A tack coat.
wait like 5min between each coat.
with a total of 4 coats. Not necessary to add more coats.
make sure to get all the corners and bends really well.



Once Promoter is dried(maybe 7-10min) lets start with Priming.
Once again, light even coats. first coat tack coat.


2nd coat. little heavier. Starts to even out



4th Coat. all evened out. should look smooth and well covered.


I let mine try for a day before sanding.
Just cause i was busy with other things,
but should be sandable after few hours.
Clean again before sanding. maybe not necessary,
but I am a perfectionist. prep is key. ok.
begin wet sanding w/ 2000 grit to smooth
out any dust, specs runs. I used warm soapy water to sand.
I also sanded in one direction.


Watch out for the corners. I had to go back
and re-sand and do all steps again to cover these up.
AAAAHHHH!!! SHIT!!!



Ok... Once primed and sanded. let dry really well. I waited a day.
just cause I am lame. moving along...
I know this isn't necessary, but i sprayed 2 light coats of
adhesion promoter over the sanded Primer. Why? i don't know...
lets paint. Yay! the scary part.
first light even tack coats. take your time smooth strokes.


2nd Coat. should have about 30% visibility.


3rd coat. Starts covering it up more.


4th coat... i know almost there.


Here is the last paint coat. not sure what number
i lost count. Damn. maybe like the 7th? Shit.
Anyways. should look well covered and semi smooth w/ matte finish.




Let the paint dry maybe an hour before clear coat.
I let mine dry over night, just cause i was being daddy.
Ehh... Can we clear coat now? Ok...
I did like a total of 10 clear coats w/ like 6min between coats.
1st coat. light even coats. will get heavier later ok?


2nd coat.


3rd. starts to shine up little more. yeah baby. shiny!



Fast forwarding... more coats. starts to get really shiny.
be careful not to go to heavy or close which will cause runs.
i believe i was maybe 6inches away?



Think this is like my 6 or 7th coat. almost done.


More coats to even out the blemishes. Once again
its probably not necessary for this many coats, but..Hey
nice and shiny



Now heres the fun yet time consuming part curing.
i let mine cure for about a week. before i wet sanded w/ 2000 grit.
clean real good then lightly wet sand. the idea is to just smooth out the coat
so we can buff the scratches out later.
totally dried and cured.


the fished product. I am really happy how it turned out.
paint is dead match and really close if not perfect shine
as the hood. I buffed it out w/ turtle rubbing compound
then ultimate polish did it like 3 times with rotary polisher
then waxed the fucker and calledl it a day. I am done baby!













Hope you all can learn and enjoy one of many mods yet to come.
custom Satoshi style grill coming soon. in the works for DIY!
Cheers,

 

Looks great!

 

That looks amazing! Definitely doing this later down the road.

 

Excellent job! Looks professional. How many hours did it take from start to finish?

 

You do good work. That turned out great!

Camelback Toyota sells one for $180 shipped and color is a dead on match for those that don't want to go through all the time and effort of painting theirs.

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Good job and good write-up!

 

I did mine a little different. My dealer sold me a color matched for $160 plus tax and I sold my chrome on CL for $120.

Great work but man, my way was a little easier.

 

Outstanding results - Know you have got to be pleased...

 

Thanks guys! Yeah it took maybe a total of 72hours. Although i was busy so total of like 7days. I did really want to buy a color matched, but decided for now $50 was better. Although I do believe these trucks need nothing but the best.

 

Nice job. Looks like factory. I did mine this weekend. I used 2X primer, base coat and 2X clear coat. I was doing some other painting on the nose, so what better time to take care of it.

 

That looks excellent! Love the red, striking

 

Amazing job on the conversion and the paint man! You do excellent work. I'm impressed

 

Thanks so much. It was so well worth it to me. Wouldn't look back for a second. Sorry for the highjack.

 

dang! both your grilles look amazing! i was lazy too and bought mine and sold the chrome one on CL.

 

FS: Chrome grilles of a 2014

 

Do they make them also for 08 models for 180$?